ALL.
The tale !
CYRANO
[coming towards them.]
The tale ? ...
[All bring their stools up, and group round him, listening eagerly. CHRISTIAN is astride a chair.]
Well ! I went all alone to meet the band. The moon was shining, clock-like, full i' th' sky, When, suddenly, some careful clockwright passed A cloud of cotton-wool across the case That held this silver watch. And, presto ! heigh ! The night was inky black, and all the quays Were hidden in the murky dark. Gadsooks ! One con Id see nothing further . . .
CHRISTIAN.
Thau one's nose !
[Silence. All timely rise, looking in terror at CYRANO, who has stopped dumfounded. Pause.]
CYRANO.
Who on God's earth is that ?
A CADET.
[whispering].
It is a man Who joined to-day.
CYRANO
[making a step towards CHRISTIAN].
To-day ?
