CARBON (_to Roxane_). Kindly open the hand that holds your handkerchief. ROXANE (_opens her hand; her handkerchief falls_). What for? (_The whole company darts forward to pick it up._) CARBON (_heading them off and seizing it_). My company had no flag! Now it will have the finest in the camp! ROXANE (_smiling_). It is rather small! CARBON (_tying the handkerchief to his lance_). It is lace.... and yours! A CADET (_to the others_). I would die most willingly for eyes so beautiful, if only I could have a crust of bread or two. CARBON (_indignant_). For shame! How can you think of eating before so exquisite a woman?.... ROXANE. But he is right. The morning air is sharp, and I myself am famished. Meat-pie,--cold game and jelly, some good wine,--I'll have nothing else, thank you! Suppose we have them now? There is still time. A CADET. But where shall we get all these good things? ROXANE (_quietly_). In my coach. ALL. What!.... ROXANE. But somebody must serve and carve. Look at my coachman more attentively, gentlemen, and you will see that he is a very valuable man. THE CADETS (_running up to the coach_). Why! It's Ragueneau! ROXANE (_looking at them_). Poor hungry fellows! CYRANO (_kissing her hand_). What a kind fairy you are! RAGUENEAU (_standing on his seat_). Gentlemen!.... THE CADETS. Speech! Speech! RAGUENEAU. The Spaniards, when so much beauty passed, did not see the repast. (_Applause._) They are so bony that they did not notice the boned turkey. (_He takes a dish from under his seat and passes it down._) CYRANO (_aside to Christian_). A word with you for pity's sake!.... RAGUENEAU. They were so busy with Venus that they allowed Diana's spoils to pass. (_He hands down a stag's leg._) CYRANO (_aside to Christian_). I must speak to you! ROXANE (_to the Cadets who come up loaded with eatables_). Place all that on the ground. (_She spreads a table-cloth on the grass, and, with the assistance of the two lackeys, prepares the cover._) (_to Christian, whom Cyrano is endeavouring to draw aside_). Come, make yourself useful. (_Christian helps her. Cyrano looks anxious._) RAGUENEAU. A stuffed peacock! A CADET (_cutting for himself a large slice of ham_). Jupiter's thunder! We'll not die without previously ....stuffing our....(_noticing Roxane_) your pardon.... feasting!