for you and everything that belongs
to you, I insist on embracing them, too.

Harriet
Just a minute, Mr. Officer.

Trippet
Do you take us to be barmaids?

Peacock (low)
These fellows are very impertinent.

Jeremy
Have you more than one daughter?

Peacock
No, sir.

Jeremy
So much the worse. When they are made like these they can be easily
married off.

Peacock
Well, God willing, I'm just about to marry her to an apothecary friend
of mine.

Jeremy
Very good idea. Your patients certainly won't have to wait for enemas
and purges.

Peacock
They will lack nothing.

Jeremy
The more I look at your daughter, the more I find she looks like you.

Peacock
You're joking!

Jeremy
Word of a soldier! She's you in miniature. Your eyes are the same
except for the coloring. Her little nose becomes large like yours:
oval face, square face; really the resemblances are astonishing in
certain families.

Peacock
Come, sir, if you will. What are you getting at?

Jeremy
That maid of yours is making eyes at me. Apparently, I was made to be
the sport of a wench. They always tease me.

Peacock
Sir, for God's sake, tell me who you are.

Jeremy
I am a colonel and you see me here with my major. I come to consult
you about an illness.

Harriet
Goodbye, Mr. Colonel.

Jeremy
Why are you running off, pretty ladies?

Trippet
We don't want to hear the conversation of an officer who consults a
doctor.

(Exit Trippet and Harriet.)

Jeremy
I want to tell you, sir--no boasting--I'm well thought of by the
combat troops.

Peacock
I'm sure of it, and I congratulate you, sir.

Jeremy
When there's something particularly tough to do, they always call for
me. Ask my major.

Worthy
It's true.

Peacock
I believe it.

Jeremy
So, you see, I have all the honor and reputation I could wish.
Unfortunately, my body isn't made of iron.

Peacock
I see.

Jeremy
I came down with asthma in Germany while I was pursuing the enemy.

Peacock
The cause of your illness is worthy of--

Jeremy
Here's how it happened to me. I reconnoitred an enemy scouting party.
I attacked them; they resisted. I redoubled my efforts. They
regrouped. Then, they fled. I followed them, but then I was obliged to
give up the pursuit. I couldn't get my breath. They said I have
swollen glands. So, since then, I've been asthmatic.

Peacock (aside)
He's consulting me for his own amusement--but I will mock him in his
turn. (aloud) You wish a re