Act 2, Scene 1 Summary

The Cherrys are enjoying cocktails before dinner, and their conversation turns to the possibility of war. They discuss the unfortunate problem that the rest of the world does not have the intelligence of the British people, who won't tolerate such foolishness. Harry joins them in the bar, and they reveal that they were married two days ago in Florence. They're disappointed that their skiing holiday may be interrupted by war.

Quillery returns, not having been allowed to cross the border, and his passions are higher than when he left a few hours ago. He confides to Harry that Achille Weber, Irene's companion, is an arms industry organizer, a true merchant of death. He states that it is the poor working man who will pay for this industry and fatten the coffers of the industrialists of the world.

Dr.Waldersee thinks Quillery's...