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diff --git a/34860-h/34860-h.htm b/34860-h/34860-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3948634 --- /dev/null +++ b/34860-h/34860-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,5699 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en" xml:lang="en"> + <head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> +<title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of East of Suez, by W. Somerset Maugham. +</title> +<style type="text/css"> + p {margin-top:.75em;text-align:justify;margin-bottom:.75em;text-indent:2%;} + +.c {text-align:center;text-indent:0%;} + +.hang {text-indent:-2%;margin-left:3%;} + + h1,h3 {margin-top:15%;text-align:center;clear:both;} + + hr.full {width:100%;margin:5% auto 5% auto;border:4px double gray;} + + table {margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;border:none;text-align:left;} + + body{margin-left:2%;margin-right:2%;background:#fdfdfd;color:black;font-family:"Times New Roman", serif;font-size:medium;} + +a:link {background-color:#ffffff;color:blue;text-decoration:none;} + + link {background-color:#ffffff;color:blue;text-decoration:none;} + +a:visited {background-color:#ffffff;color:purple;text-decoration:none;} + +a:hover {background-color:#ffffff;color:#FF0000;text-decoration:underline;} + +.smcap {font-variant:small-caps;font-size:95%;} + + ul {list-style-type:none;text-indent:-1em;} + + img {border:none;} + +.blockquot{margin:4% auto 4% auto;} + +.un {text-decoration:underline;} +</style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of East of Suez, by William Somerset Maugham + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: East of Suez + a Play in Seven Scenes + +Author: William Somerset Maugham + +Release Date: January 5, 2011 [EBook #34860] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EAST OF SUEZ *** + + + + +Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + +</pre> + +<hr class="full" /> + +<ul> +<li><span class="un">BY W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM</span></li> + +<li><i>Plays</i>: + +<ul> +<li>EAST OF SUEZ</li> +<li>THE CIRCLE</li> +<li>THE EXPLORER</li> +<li>MRS. DOT</li> +<li>A MAN OF HONOUR</li> +<li>PENELOPE</li> +<li>JACK STRAW</li> +<li>LADY FREDERICK</li> +<li>THE TENTH MAN</li> +<li>LANDED GENTRY</li> +<li>THE UNKNOWN</li> +<li>SMITH</li> +</ul> +</li> + +<li><i>Novels</i>: + +<ul> +<li>OF HUMAN BONDAGE</li> +<li>THE MOON AND SIXPENCE</li> +<li>THE TREMBLING OF A LEAF</li> +<li>LIZA OF LAMBETH</li> +<li>MRS. CRADDOCK</li> +<li>THE EXPLORER</li> +<li>THE MAGICIAN</li> +<li>THE MERRY-GO-ROUND</li> +<li> ———</li> +<li>ON A CHINESE SCREEN</li> +<li>THE LAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN<br /> + (<i>Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia</i>)</li> +</ul></li></ul> + +<p><a name="page_006" id="page_006"></a></p> + +<h1> +EAST OF SUEZ</h1> + +<p class="c">A PLAY IN SEVEN SCENES</p> + +<p class="c">BY<br /> +W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM</p> + +<p> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +</p> +<p class="c">NEW <img src="images/001.png" +alt="colophon" +width="50" +height="49" +/> YORK<br /> +GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY</p> + +<p><a name="page_007" id="page_007"></a></p> + +<p> +<br /> +</p> + +<p class="c"><small>COPYRIGHT, 1922.</small><br /> +BY GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY<br /> +<small>EAST OF SUEZ.</small><br /> +<small>PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA</small></p> + +<h3><a name="DRAMATIS_PERSONAE" id="DRAMATIS_PERSONAE"></a>DRAMATIS PERSONĘ</h3> + +<ul> +<li><span class="smcap">Daisy</span></li> +<li><span class="smcap">George Conway</span></li> +<li><span class="smcap">Henry Anderson</span></li> +<li><span class="smcap">Harold Knox</span></li> +<li><span class="smcap">Lee Tai Cheng</span></li> +<li><span class="smcap">Sylvia Knox</span></li> +<li><span class="smcap">Amah</span></li> +<li><span class="smcap">Wu</span></li> +</ul> + +<p><i>The action of the play takes place in Peking</i><a name="page_009" id="page_009"></a></p> + +<h3>SCENES</h3> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr valign="top"><td align="left"><small>SCENE</small></td><td> </td><td align="right"><small>PAGE</small></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top"><a href="#SCENE_I">I</a></td><td><small>A STREET IN PEKING</small></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_011">11</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top"><a href="#SCENE_II">II</a></td><td><small>A SMALL VERANDAH ON AN UPPER STOREY OF THE BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO COMPANY'S PREMISES</small></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_017">17</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top"><a href="#SCENE_III">III</a></td><td><small>THE TEMPLE OF FIDELITY AND VIRTUOUS INCLINATION</small></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_037">37</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top"><a href="#SCENE_IV">IV</a></td><td><small>THE SITTING-ROOM IN THE ANDERSONS' APARTMENTS</small></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_059">59</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top"><a href="#SCENE_V">V</a></td><td><small>THE COURTYARD IN THE ANDERSONS' PART OF THE TEMPLE</small></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_081">81</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top"><a href="#SCENE_VI">VI</a></td><td><small>A SMALL ROOM IN A CHINESE HOUSE IN PEKING</small></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_101">101</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top"><a href="#SCENE_VII">VII</a></td><td><small>THE SITTING-ROOM IN THE ANDERSONS' APARTMENTS</small></td><td align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="#page_121">121</a></td></tr> +</table> + +<h3><a name="EAST_OF_SUEZ" id="EAST_OF_SUEZ"></a>EAST OF SUEZ</h3> + +<p><a name="page_011" id="page_011"></a></p> + +<h3><a name="SCENE_I" id="SCENE_I"></a>SCENE I</h3> + +<p><span class="smcap">Scene</span>: <i>A street in Peking</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang"><i>Several shops are shown. Their fronts are richly decorated with +carved wood painted red and profusely gilt. The counters are +elaborately carved. Outside are huge sign-boards. The shops are +open to the street and you can see the various wares they sell. One +is a coffin shop, where the coolies are at work on a coffin: other +coffins, ready for sale, are displayed; some of them are of plain +deal, others are rich, with black and gold. The next shop is a +money changer's. Then there is a lantern shop in which all manner +of coloured lanterns are hanging. After this comes a druggist where +there are queer things in bottles and dried herbs. A small stuffed +crocodile is a prominent object. Next to this is a shop where +crockery is sold, large coloured jars, plates, and all manner of +strange animals. In all the shops two or three Chinamen are seated. +Some read newspapers through great horn spectacles; some smoke +water pipes.</i></p> + +<p class="hang"><i>The street is crowded. Here is an itinerant cook with his two +chests, in one of which is burning charcoal: he serves out bowls of +rice and condiments to the passers-by who want food. There is a +barber with the utensils of his trade. A coolie, seated on a stool, +is having his head shaved. Chinese walk to and fro.</i><a name="page_012" id="page_012"></a></p> + +<p class="hang"><i>Some are coolies and wear blue cotton in various stages of +raggedness; some in black gowns and caps and black shoes are +merchants and clerks. There is a beggar, gaunt and thin, with an +untidy mop of bristly hair, in tatters of indescribable filthiness. +He stops at one of the shops and begins a long wail. For a time no +one takes any notice of him, but presently on a word from the fat +shopkeeper an assistant gives him a few cash and he wanders on. +Coolies, half naked, hurry by, bearing great bales on their yokes. +They utter little sharp cries for people to get out of their way. +Peking carts with their blue hoods rumble noisily along. Rickshaws +pass rapidly in both directions, and the rickshaw boys shout for +the crowd to make way. In the rickshaws are grave Chinese. Some are +dressed in white ducks after the European fashion; in other +rickshaws are Chinese women in long smocks and wide trousers or +Manchu ladies, with their faces painted like masks, in embroidered +silks. Women of various sorts stroll about the street or enter the +shops. You see them chaffering for various articles.</i></p> + +<p class="hang"><i>A water-carrier passes along with a creaking barrow, slopping the +water as he goes; an old blind woman, a masseuse, advances slowly, +striking wooden clappers to proclaim her calling. A musician stands +on the curb and plays a tuneless melody on a one-stringed fiddle. +From the distance comes the muffled sound of gongs. There is a +babel of sound caused by the talking of all these people, by the +cries of coolies, the gong, the clappers, and the fiddle. From +burning joss-sticks in the shops in front of the household god +comes a savour of incense.</i></p> + +<p class="hang"><i>A couple of Mongols ride across on shaggy ponies; they wear high +boots and Astrakhan caps. Then a string of camels sways slowly down +the street. They carry great burdens of skins from the deserts of +Mongolia. They are accompanied by wild looking fellows. Two stout +Chinese gentlemen are giving their pet birds an airing; the birds<a name="page_013" id="page_013"></a> +are attached by the leg with a string and sit on little wooden +perches. The two Chinese gentlemen discuss their merits. Round +about them small boys play. They run hither and thither pursuing +one another amid the crowd.</i></p></div> + +<p class="c">END OF SCENE I</p> + +<p><a name="page_014" id="page_014"></a></p> + +<p><a name="page_015" id="page_015"></a></p> + +<h3><a name="SCENE_II" id="SCENE_II"></a>SCENE II</h3> + +<p><a name="page_016" id="page_016"></a></p> + +<p><a name="page_017" id="page_017"></a></p> + +<p class="hang"><i>A small verandah on an upper storey of the British American Tobacco +Company's premises, the upper part of which the staff lives in. At the +back are heavy arches of whitewashed masonry and a low wall which serves +as a parapet. Green blinds are drawn. There is a bamboo table on which +are copies of illustrated papers. A couple of long bamboo chairs and two +or three smaller arm chairs. The floor is tiled.</i></p> + +<p class="hang"><i>On one of the long chairs</i> <span class="smcap">Harold Knox</span> <i>is lying asleep. He is a young +man of pleasing appearance</i>. <i>He wears white ducks, but he has taken off +his coat, which lies on a chair, and his collar and tie and pin. They +are on the table by his side. He is troubled by a fly and, half waking +but with his eyes still closed, tries to drive it away.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Curse it. [<i>He opens his eyes and yawns.</i>] Boy!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Wu.</span> [<i>Outside.</i>] Ye.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> What's the time?</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">Wu</span> <i>comes in; he is a Chinese servant in a long white gown with a black +cap on his head</i>. <i>He bears a tray on which is a bottle of whisky, a +glass and a syphon.</i>]</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Wu.</span> My no sabe.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Anyhow it's time for a whisky and soda. [<span class="smcap">Wu</span> <i>puts the tray down on +the table</i>. <span class="smcap">Knox</span> <i>smiles</i>.] Intelligent anticipation. Model servant and +all that sort of thing. [<span class="smcap">Wu</span> <i>pours out the whisky</i>.] You don't care if I +drink myself to death, Wu—do you? [<span class="smcap">Wu</span> <i>smiles, showing all his teeth</i>.] +Fault of the climate. Give me the glass. [<span class="smcap">Wu</span> <i>does so</i>.] You're like a +mother to me, Wu. [<i>He drinks and puts down the glass.</i>] By George, I +feel another man. The bull-dog breed, Wu. Never say die. Rule +Britannia.<a name="page_018" id="page_018"></a> Pull up the blinds, you lazy blighter. The sun's off and the +place is like a oven.</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">Wu</span> <i>goes over and pulls up one blind after the other</i>. <i>An expanse of +blue sky is seen.</i> <span class="smcap">Henry Anderson</span> <i>comes in</i>. <i>He is a man of thirty, +fair, good-looking, with a pleasant, honest face. His obvious +straightforwardness and sincerity make him attractive.</i>]</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>Breezily.</i>] Hulloa, Harold, you seem to be taking it easy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> There was nothing to do in the office and I thought I'd get in my +beauty sleep while I had the chance.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I thought you had your beauty sleep before midnight.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> I'm taking time by the forelock so as to be on the safe side.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Are you going on the loose again to-night?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Again, Henry?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> You were blind last night.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> [<i>With great satisfaction.</i>] Paralytic.... Hulloa, who's this? +[<i>He catches sight of the</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>who has just entered</i>. <i>She is a +little, thin, wrinkled, elderly Chinawoman in a long smock and trousers. +She has gold pins in her sleek black hair. When she sees she has been +noticed she smiles obsequiously.</i>] Well, fair charmer, what can we do +for you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> What does she want, Wu?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Is this the face that launched a thousand ships?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> My Missy have pay my letter.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>With sudden eager interest.</i>] Are you Mrs. Rathbone's amah? +Have you got a letter for me?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> My belong Missy Rathbone amah.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Well, hurry up, don't be all night about it. Lend me a dollar, +Harold. I want to give it to the old girl.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>takes a note out of her sleeve and gives it to</i> <span class="smcap">Harry</span>. +<i>He opens it and reads.</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> I haven't got a dollar. Give her a chit or ask Wu. He's the only +man I know who's got any money.<a name="page_019" id="page_019"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Let me have a dollar, Wu. Chop-chop.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Wu.</span> My go catchee.</p> + +<p>[<i>He goes out.</i> <i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>is standing near the table</i>. <i>While</i> <span class="smcap">Knox</span> +<i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Harry</span> <i>go on talking she notices</i> <span class="smcap">Knox's</span> <i>pin</i>. <i>She smiles and +smiles and makes little bows to the two men, but at the same time her +hand cautiously reaches out for the pin and closes on it. Then she +secretes it in her sleeve.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I thought you were going to play tennis this afternoon.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> So I am later on.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>Smiling.</i>] Do it now, dear boy. That is a precept a business +man should never forget.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> I should hate to think you wanted to be rid of me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I dote on your company, but I feel that I mustn't be selfish.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> [<i>Pulling his leg.</i>] To tell you the truth I don't feel very fit +to-day.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> A little bilious, I dare say. Half a dozen hard sets are just +what you want. [<i>He hands</i> <span class="smcap">Knox</span> <i>his coat</i>.]</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> What is this?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Your coat.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> You're making yourself almost more distressingly plain than nature +has already made you.</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">Wu</span> <i>comes back and hands</i> <span class="smcap">Harry</span> <i>a dollar, and then goes out</i>. <span class="smcap">Harry</span> +<i>gives the dollar to the</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Here's a dollar for you, amah. You go back to missy and tell her +it's all right and will she come chop-chop. Sabe?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> My sabe. Goo'-bye.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> God bless you, dearie. It's done me good to see your winsome +little face.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>With a smile.</i>] Shut up, Harold.</p> + +<p>[<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>with nods, smiles and bows, goes out</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Harry, my poor friend, is it possible that you have an +assignation?<a name="page_020" id="page_020"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> What is possible is that if you don't get out quick I'll throw +you out.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Why didn't you say you were expecting a girl?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I'm not; I'm expecting a lady.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Are you sure you know how to behave? If you'd like me to stay and +see you don't do the wrong thing I'll chuck my tennis. I'm always ready +to sacrifice myself for a friend.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Has it struck you that the distance from the verandah to the +street is very considerable?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> And the pavement is hard. I flatter myself I can take a hint. I +wonder where the devil my pin is. I left it on the table.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I expect Wu put it away.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> It's much more likely that old woman pinched it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Oh, nonsense. She wouldn't dream of such a thing. I believe Mrs. +Rathbone's had her for ages.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Who is Mrs. Rathbone?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>Not wishing to be questioned.</i>] A friend of mine.</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">George Conway</span> <i>comes in</i>. <i>He is a tall, dark man in the early +thirties. He is a handsome, well-built fellow, of a somewhat rugged +appearance, but urbane and self-assured.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> May I come in?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>Eagerly, shaking him warmly by the hand.</i>] At last. By Jove, +it's good to see you again. You know Knox, don't you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I think so.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> I wash bottles in the B. A. T. I don't expect the legation bloods +to be aware of my existence.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>With a twinkle in his eye.</i>] I don't know that an Assistant +Chinese Secretary is such a blood as all that.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> You've just been down to Fuchow, haven't you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Yes, I only got back this morning.<a name="page_021" id="page_021"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Did you see Freddy Baker by any chance?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Yes, poor chap.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Oh, I've got no pity for him. He's just a damned fool.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Why?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Haven't you heard? He's married a half-caste.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> What of it? I believe she's a very pretty girl.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> I daresay she is. But hang it all, he needn't have married her.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I don't think it was a very wise thing to do.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I should have thought all those prejudices were out of date. Why +shouldn't a man marry a half-caste if he wants to?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> It can't be very nice to have a wife whom even the missionary +ladies turn up their noses at.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>With a shrug of the shoulders.</i>] You wait till Freddy's number +one in Hankow and can entertain. I bet the white ladies will be glad +enough to know his missus then.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Yes, but that's just it. He'll never get a good job with a +Eurasian wife.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> He's in Jardine's, isn't he? Do you mean to say it's going to +handicap a man in a shipping firm because he's married a woman who's +partly Chinese?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Of course it is. Jardine's are about the most important firm in +China and the manager of one of their principal branches has definite +social obligations. Freddy Baker will be sent to twopenny halfpenny +outports where his wife doesn't matter.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> I think he's damned lucky if he's not asked to resign.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> It's cruel. His wife may be a charming and cultivated woman.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Have you ever known a half-caste that was?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I have.<a name="page_022" id="page_022"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Well, I've been in this country for seven years and I've never met +one, male or female, that didn't give me the shivers.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I've no patience with you. You're a perfect damned fool.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> [<i>A little surprised, but quite good-humoured.</i>] You're getting +rather excited, aren't you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>Hotly.</i>] I hate injustice.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Do you think it really is injustice? The English are not an +unkindly race. If they've got a down on half-castes there are probably +very good grounds for it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> What are they?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> We don't much like their morals, but we can't stick their manners.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Somehow or other they seem to inherit all the bad qualities of +the two races from which they spring and none of the good ones. I'm sure +there are exceptions, but on the whole the Eurasian is vulgar and noisy. +He can't tell the truth if he tries.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> To do him justice, he seldom tries.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> He's as vain as a peacock. He'll cringe when he's afraid of you +and he'll bully when he's not. You can never rely on him. He's crooked +from the crown of his German hat to the toes of his American boots.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Straight from the shoulder. Take the count, old man.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>Frigidly.</i>] Oughtn't you to be going?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> [<i>Smiling.</i>] No, but I will.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I'm sorry if I was rude to you just now, old man.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Silly ass, you've broken no bones; my self-esteem, thank God, is +unimpaired. [<i>He goes out.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I say, I'm awfully glad you're back, George. You can't think how +I miss you when you're away.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> As soon as the shooting starts we'll try and get two or three +days together in the country.<a name="page_023" id="page_023"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Yes, that would be jolly. [<i>Calling.</i>] Wu.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Wu.</span> [<i>Outside.</i>] Ye'.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Bring tea for three.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Who is the third?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> When you said you could come round I asked somebody I want you +very much to meet.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Who is that?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Mrs. Rathbone ... I'm going to be married to her and we want you +to be our best man.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Harry.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>Boyishly.</i>] I thought you'd be surprised.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> My dear old boy, I am so glad. I hope you'll be awfully happy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I'm awfully happy now.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Why have you kept it so dark?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I didn't want to say anything till it was all settled. Besides, +I've only known her six weeks. I met her when I was down in Shanghai....</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Is she a widow?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Yes, she was married to an American in the F. M. S.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Is she American?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Only by marriage. I'm afraid she didn't have a very happy married +life.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Poor thing. I think I'd take a small bet that you won't beat +her.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I mean to try my best to make her happy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> You old fool, I've never known a man who was likely to make a +better husband.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I'm most awfully in love with her, George.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Isn't that ripping? How old is she?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Only twenty-two. She's the loveliest thing you ever saw.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> And is she in love with you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> She says so.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> She damned well ought to be.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I do hope you'll like her, George.<a name="page_024" id="page_024"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Of course I shall. You're not the sort of chap to fall in love +with a woman who isn't nice.</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">Harry</span> <i>walks up and down for a moment restlessly</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Will you have a whisky and soda?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> No, thanks ... I'll wait for tea.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> She ought to be here in a moment. [<i>Suddenly making up his +mind.</i>] It's no good beating about the bush. I may as well tell you at +once. Her—her mother was Chinese.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Unable to conceal his dismay.</i>] Oh, Harry. [<i>A pause.</i>] I wish +I hadn't said all that I did just now.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Of course you didn't know.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Gravely.</i>] I should have had to say something very like it, +Harry. But I shouldn't have put it so bluntly.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> You said yourself there were exceptions.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I know. [<i>Distressed.</i>] Won't your people be rather upset?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I don't see how it can matter to them. They're nine thousand +miles away.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Who was her father?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Oh, he was a merchant. He's dead. And her mother is too.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> That's something. I don't think you'd much like having a Chinese +mother-in-law about the place.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> George, you won't let it make any difference, will you? We've +known one another all our lives.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> My dear old chap, as far as I'm concerned I shouldn't care if +you married the first cousin of the Ace of Spades. I don't want you to +make a hash of things.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Wait till you see her. She's the most fascinating thing you ever +met.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Yes, they can be charming. I was awfully in love with a +half—with a Eurasian girl myself years ago. It was before you came out +to the country. I wanted to marry her.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Why didn't you?<a name="page_025" id="page_025"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> It was up in Chung-king. I'd just been appointed vice-consul. I +was only twenty-three. The Minister wired from Peking that I'd have to +resign if I did. I hadn't a bob except my salary and they transferred me +to Canton to get me away.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> It's different for you. You're in the service and you may be +Minister one of these days. I'm only a merchant.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Even for you there'll be difficulties, you know. Has it occurred +to you that the white ladies won't be very nice?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I can do without their society.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> You must know some people. It means you'll have to hobnob with +Eurasian clerks and their wives. I'm afraid you'll find it pretty +rotten.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> If you'll stick to me I don't care.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I suppose you've absolutely made up your mind?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Absolutely.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> In that case I've got nothing more to say. You can't expect me +not to be a little disappointed, but after all the chief thing is your +happiness, and whatever I can do I will. You can put your shirt on that.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> You're a brick, George.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> The little lady ought to be here, oughtn't she?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I think I hear her on the stairs.</p> + +<p>[<i>He goes to the entrance and then out.</i> <span class="smcap">Wu</span> <i>brings in the tea and sets +it on the table</i>. <span class="smcap">George</span> <i>walks over to the parapet and looks +thoughtfully before him</i>. <i>There is a sound of voices in the adjoining +room.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>Outside.</i>] Come in; he's on the verandah.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Outside.</i>] One brief look in the glass and then I'm ready.</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">Harry</span> <i>enters</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> She's just coming.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I bet she's powdering her nose.<a name="page_026" id="page_026"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Here I am.</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>enters</i>. <span class="smcap">She</span> <i>is an extremely pretty woman, beautifully, perhaps +a little showily, dressed</i>. <i>She has a pale, very clear, slightly sallow +skin, and beautiful dark eyes. There is only the very faintest suspicion +in them of the Chinese slant. Her hair is abundant and black.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> This is George Conway, Daisy.</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">George</span> <i>stares at her</i>. <i>At first he is not quite sure that he +recognizes her, then suddenly he does, but only the slightest movement +of the eyes betrays him.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> How do you do. I told Harry I had an idea I must have met you +somewhere. I don't think I have after all.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> George flatters himself he's not easily forgotten.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> But I've heard so much about you from Harry that I feel as though +we were old friends.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> It's very kind of you to say so.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Supposing you poured out the tea, Daisy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I'm dying for a cup.</p> + +<p>[<i>She sits down and proceeds to do so.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Harry is very anxious that you should like me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> George and I have known one another since we were kids. His +people and mine live quite close to one another at home.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> But I'm not blaming you. I'm only wondering how I shall +ingratiate myself with him.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> He looks rather severe, but he isn't really. I think you've only +got to be your natural charming self.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Have you told him about the house?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> No. [<i>To George.</i>] You know the temple the Harrisons used to +have. We've taken that.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Oh, it's a ripping place. But won't you find it rather a +nuisance to have those old monks on the top of you all the time?<a name="page_027" id="page_027"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Oh, I don't think so. Our part is quite separate, you know, and +the Harrisons made it very comfortable.</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">Harold Knox</span> <i>comes in</i>. <i>He has changed into tennis things.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> I say, Harry ... [<i>He sees</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span>.] Oh, I beg your pardon.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Mr. Knox—Mrs. Rathbone.</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">Knox</span> <i>gives her a curt nod, but she holds out her hand affably</i>. <i>He +takes it.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> How do you do.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> I'm sorry to disturb you, Harry, but old Ku Faung Min is +downstairs and wants to see you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Tell him to go to blazes. The office is closed.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> He's going to Hankow to-night and he says he must see you before +he goes. He's got some big order to give.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Oh, curse him. I know what he is. He'll keep me talking for half +an hour. D'you mind if I leave you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Of course not. It'll give me a chance of making Mr. Conway's +acquaintance.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I'll get rid of him as quickly as I can.</p> + +<p>[<i>He goes out accompanied by Knox.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> [<i>As he goes.</i>] Good-bye.</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">George</span> <i>looks at</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>for a moment</i>. <i>She smiles at him. There is a +silence.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Why didn't you warn me that it was you I was going to meet?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I didn't know what you'd say about me to Harry if you knew.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> It was rather a risk, wasn't it? Supposing I'd blurted out the +truth.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I trusted to your diplomatic training. Besides, I'd prepared for +it. I told him I thought I'd met you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Harry and I have been pals all our lives. I brought him out to +China and I got him his job. When he<a name="page_028" id="page_028"></a> had cholera he would have died if +I hadn't pulled him through.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I know. And in return he worships the ground you tread on. I've +never known one man think so much of another as he does of you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> All that's rot, of course. Sometimes I don't know how I'm going +to live up to the good opinion Harry has of me. But when you've done so +much for a pal as I have for him it gives you an awful sense of +responsibility towards him.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What do you mean by that?</p> + +<p>[<i>A short pause.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I'm not going to let you marry him.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> He's so much in love with me that he doesn't know what to do with +himself.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I know he is. But if you were in love with him you wouldn't be +so sure of it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>With a sudden change of tone.</i>] Why not? I was sure of your +love. And God knows I was in love with you.</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">George</span> <i>makes a gesture of dismay</i>. <i>He is taken aback for a moment, +but he quickly recovers.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> You don't know what sort of a man Harry is. He's not like the +fellows you've been used to. He's never knocked around as most of us do. +He's always been as straight as a die.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I know.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Have mercy on him. Even if there were nothing else against you +he's not the sort of chap for you to marry. He's awfully English.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> If he doesn't mind marrying a Eurasian I really don't see what +business it is of yours.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> But you know very well that that isn't the only thing against +you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I haven't an idea what you mean.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Haven't you? You forget the war. When we heard there was a very +pretty young woman, apparently<a name="page_029" id="page_029"></a> with plenty of money, living at the Hong +Kong Hotel on very familiar terms with a lot of naval fellows, it became +our business to make enquiries. I think I know everything there is +against you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Have you any right to make use of information you've acquired +officially?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Don't be a fool, Daisy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Passionately.</i>] Tell him then. You'll break his heart. You'll +make him utterly wretched. But he'll marry me all the same. When a man's +as much in love as he is he'll forgive everything.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I think it's horrible. If you loved him you couldn't marry him. +It's heartless.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Violently.</i>] How dare you say that? You. You. You know what I +am. Yes, it's all true. I don't know what you know but it can't be worse +than the truth. And whose fault is it? Yours. If I'm rotten it's you who +made me rotten.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I? No. You've got no right to say that. It's cruel. It's +infamous.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I've touched you at last, have I? Because you know it's true. +Don't you remember when I first came to Chung-king? I was seventeen. My +father had sent me to England to school when I was seven. I never saw +him for ten years. And at last he wrote and said I was to come back to +China. You came and met me on the boat and told me my father had had a +stroke and was dead. You took me to the Presbyterian mission.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> That was my job. I was awfully sorry for you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> And then in a day or two you came and told me that my father +hadn't left anything and what there was went to his relations in +England.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Naturally he didn't expect to die.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Passionately.</i>] If he was going to leave me like that why +didn't he let me stay with my Chinese mother? Why did he bring me up +like a lady? Oh, it was cruel.<a name="page_030" id="page_030"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Yes. It was unpardonable.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I was so lonely and so frightened. You seemed to be sorry for me. +You were the only person who was really kind to me. You were practically +the first man I'd known. I loved you. I thought you loved me. Oh, say +that you loved me then, George.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> You know I did.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I was very innocent in those days. I thought that when two people +loved one another they married. I wasn't a Eurasian then, George. I was +like any other English girl. If you'd married me I shouldn't be what I +am now. But they took you away from me. You never even said good-bye to +me. You wrote and told me you'd been transferred to Canton.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I couldn't say good-bye to you, Daisy. They said that if I +married you I'd have to leave the service. I was absolutely penniless. +They dinned it into my ears that if a white man marries a Eurasian he's +done for. I wouldn't listen to them, but in my heart I knew it was true.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I don't blame you. You wanted to get on, and you have, haven't +you? You're Assistant Chinese Secretary already and Harry says you'll be +Minister before you've done. It seems rather hard that I should have had +to pay the price.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Daisy, you'll never know what anguish I suffered. I can't expect +you to care. It's very natural if you hate me. I was ambitious. I didn't +want to be a failure. I knew that it was madness to marry you. I had to +kill my love. I couldn't. It was stronger than I was. At last I couldn't +help myself. I made up my mind to chuck everything and take the +consequences. I was just starting for Chung-king when I heard you were +living in Shanghai with a rich Chinaman.</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>gives a little moan</i>. <i>There is a silence.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> They hated me at the mission. They found fault with me from +morning till night. They blamed me<a name="page_031" id="page_031"></a> because you wanted to marry me and +they treated me as if I was a designing cat. When you went away they +heaved a sigh of relief. Then they started to convert me. They thought +I'd better become a school teacher. They hated me because I was +seventeen. They hated me because I was pretty. Oh, the brutes. They +killed all the religion I'd got. There was only one person who seemed to +care if I was alive or dead. That was my mother. Oh, I was so ashamed +the first time I saw her. At school in England I'd told them so often +that she was a Chinese princess that I almost believed it myself. My +mother was a dirty little ugly Chinawoman. I'd forgotten all my Chinese +and I had to talk to her in English. She asked me if I'd like to go to +Shanghai with her. I was ready to do anything in the world to get away +from the mission and I thought in Shanghai I shouldn't be so far away +from you. They didn't want me to go, but they couldn't keep me against +my will. When we got to Shanghai she sold me to Lee Tai Cheng for two +thousand dollars.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> How terrible.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I've never had a chance. Oh, George, isn't it possible for a +woman to turn over a new leaf? You say that Harry's good and kind. Don't +you see what that means to me? Because he'll think me good I shall be +good. After all, he couldn't have fallen in love with me if I'd been +entirely worthless. I hate the life I've led. I want to go straight. I +swear I'll make him a good wife. Oh, George, if you ever loved me have +pity on me. If Harry doesn't marry me I'm done.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> How can a marriage be happy that's founded on a tissue of lies?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I've never told Harry a single lie.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> You told him you hadn't been happily married.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> That wasn't a lie.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> You haven't been married at all.<a name="page_032" id="page_032"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>With a roguish look.</i>] Well then, I haven't been happily +married, have I?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Who was this fellow Rathbone?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> He was an American in business at Singapore. I met him in +Shanghai. I hated Lee. Rathbone asked me to go to Singapore with him and +I went. I lived with him for four years.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Then you went back to Lee Tai Cheng.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Rathbone died. There was nothing else to do. My mother was always +nagging me to go back to him. He's rich and she makes a good thing out +of it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I thought she was dead.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> No. I told Harry she was because I thought it would make it +easier for him.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> She isn't with you now, is she?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> No, she lives at Ichang. She doesn't bother me as long as I send +her something every month.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Why did you tell Harry that you were twenty-two? It's ten years +since you came to China and you were seventeen then.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>With a twinkle in her eye.</i>] Any woman of my age will tell you +that seventeen and ten are twenty-two.</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">George</span> <i>does not smile</i>. <i>With frowning brow he walks up and down.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Oh, I wish to God I knew nothing about you. I can't bring myself +to tell him and yet how can I let him marry you in absolute ignorance? +Oh, Daisy, for your sake as well as for his I beseech you to tell him +the whole truth and let him decide for himself.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> And break his heart? There's not a missionary who believes in God +as he believes in me. If he loses his trust in me he loses everything. +Tell him if you think you must, if you have no pity, if you have no +regret for all the shame and misery you brought on me, you, you, +you—but if you do, I swear, I swear to God that I shall kill myself. I +won't go back to that hateful life.</p> + +<p>[<i>He looks at her earnestly for a moment.</i><a name="page_033" id="page_033"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I don't know if I'm doing right or wrong. I shall tell him +nothing.</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>gives a deep sigh of relief</i>, <span class="smcap">Harry</span> <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I say, I'm awfully sorry to have been so long. I couldn't get the +old blighter to go.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>With complete self-control.</i>] If I say you've been an age it'll +look as though Mr. Conway had been boring me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I hope you've made friends.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">George</span>.] Have we?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I hope so. But now I think I must bolt. I have a long Chinese +document to translate. [<i>Holding out his hand to</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span>.] I hope you'll +both be very happy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I think I'm going to like you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Good-bye, Harry, old man.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I shall see you later on in the club, sha'n't I?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> If I can get through my work.</p> + +<p>[<i>He goes out.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> What have you and George been talking about?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> We discussed the house. It'll be great fun buying the things for +it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I could have killed that old Chink for keeping me so long. I +grudge every minute that I spend away from you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> It's nice to be loved.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> You do love me a little, don't you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> A little more than a little, my lamb.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I wish I were more worth your while. You've made me feel so +dissatisfied with myself. I'm such a rotter.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You're not going to disagree with me already.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> What about?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> About you. I think you're a perfect duck.</p> + +<p>[<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>appears</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Hulloa, who's this?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, it's my amah.<a name="page_034" id="page_034"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I didn't recognize her for a moment.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> She doesn't approve of my being alone with strange gentlemen. She +looks after me as if I was a child of ten.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Velly late, missy Daisy. Time you come along.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Oh, nonsense.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> She wants me to go and be fitted. She never lets me go out in +Peking alone.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> She's quite right.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Amah, come and be introduced to the gentleman. He's going to be +your master now.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> [<i>Smiling, with little nods.</i>] Velly nice gentleman. You keep +missy Daisy old amah—yes? Velly good amah—yes?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> She's been with me ever since I was a child.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Of course we'll keep her. She was with you when you were in +Singapore?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>With a little sigh.</i>] Yes, I don't know what I should have done +without her sometimes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Oh, Daisy, I do want to make you forget all the unhappiness you +have suffered.</p> + +<p>[<i>He takes her in his arms and kisses her on the lips.</i> <i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> +<i>chuckles to herself silently</i>.</p> + +<p class="c">END OF SCENE II.<a name="page_035" id="page_035"></a></p> + +<h3><a name="SCENE_III" id="SCENE_III"></a>SCENE III</h3> + +<p><a name="page_036" id="page_036"></a></p> + +<p><a name="page_037" id="page_037"></a></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang"><span class="smcap">Scene</span>: <i>The Temple of Fidelity and Virtuous Inclination. The +courtyard of the temple is shown. At the back is the sanctuary in +which is seen the altar table; on this are two large vases in each +of which are seven lotus flowers, gilt but discoloured by incense, +and in the middle there is a sand-box in which are burning +joss-sticks; behind is the image of Buddha. The sanctuary can be +closed by huge doors. These are now open. A flight of steps leads +up to it.</i></p> + +<p class="hang"><i>A service is finishing. The monks are seen on each side of the +altar kneeling in two rows. They are clad in grey gowns and their +heads are shaven. They sing the invocation to Buddha, repeating the +same words over and over again in a monotonous chaunt.</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> +<i>stands outside the sanctuary door, on the steps, listlessly</i>. +<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>is squatting by her side</i>. <i>Now the service ends; the +monks form a procession and two by two, still singing, come down +the steps and go out. A tiny acolyte blows out the oil lamps and +with an effort shuts the temple doors.</i></p> + +<p class="hang"><span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>comes down the steps and sits on one of the lower ones</i>. +<i>She is dreadfully bored.</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> What is the matter with my pletty one?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What should be the matter?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> [<i>With a snigger.</i>] Hi, hi. Old amah got velly good eyes in her +head.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>As though talking to herself.</i>] I've got a husband who adores +me and a nice house to live in. I've got a position and as much money as +I want. I'm safe. I'm respectable. I ought to be happy.<a name="page_038" id="page_038"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I say, Harry no good, what for you wanchee marry? You say, I +wanchee marry, I wanchee marry? Well, you married. What you want now?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> They say life is short. Good God, how long the days are.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You want pony—Harry give you pony. You want jade ring—Harry give +you jade ring. You want sable coat—Harry give you sable coat. Why you +not happy?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I never said I wasn't happy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Hi, hi.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> If you laugh like that I'll kill you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You no kill old amah. You want old amah. I got something velly +pletty for my little Daisy flower.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Don't be an old fool. I'm not a child any more. [<i>Desperately.</i>] +I'm growing older, older, older. And every day is just like every other +day. I might as well be dead.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Look this pletty present old amah have got.</p> + +<p>[<i>She takes a jade necklace out of her sleeve and puts it, smiling, +into</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy's</span> <i>hand</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>With sudden vivacity,</i>] Oh, what a lovely chain. It's beautiful +jade. How much do they want for it?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> It's a present for my little Daisy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> For me? It must have cost five hundred dollars. Who is it from?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> To-day is my little Daisy's wedding-day. She have married one +year. Perhaps old amah want to give her little flower present.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> YOU! Have you ever given me anything but a beating?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Lee Tai Cheng pay me necklace and say you give to Daisy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You old hag. [<i>She flings the necklace away violently.</i>]<a name="page_039" id="page_039"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You silly. Worth plenty money. You no wanchee, I sell rich +Amelican.</p> + +<p>[<i>She is just going after the necklace, when</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>catches her +violently by the arm</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> How dare you? How dare you? I told you that you were never to let +Lee Tai speak to you again.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You very angry, Daisy. You very angry before, but you go back to +Lee Tai; he think perhaps you go back again.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Tell him that I loathe the sight of him. Tell him that if I were +starving I wouldn't take a penny from him. Tell him that if he dares to +come round here I'll have him beaten till he screams.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Hi, hi.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> And you leave me alone, will you. Harry hates you. I've only got +to say a word and he'll kick you out in five minutes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> What would my little Daisy do without old amah, hi, hi? What for +you no talkee true? You think old amah no got eyes? [<i>With a cunning, +arch look.</i>] I got something make you very glad. [<i>She takes a note out +of her sleeve.</i>]</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What's that?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I got letter.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Snatching it from her.</i>] Give it me. How dare you hide it?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Have come when you long Harry. I think perhaps you no wanchee read +when Harry there. [<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>tears it open</i>.] What he say?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Reading.</i>] "I'm awfully sorry I can't dine with you on +Thursday, but I'm engaged. I've just remembered it's your wedding-day +and I'll look in for a minute. Ask Harry if he'd like to ride with me."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Is that all?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> "Yours ever. George Conway."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You love him very much, George Conway?<a name="page_040" id="page_040"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Taking no notice of her, passionately.</i>] At last. I haven't +seen him for ten days. Ten mortal days. Oh, I want him. I want him.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Why you no talkee old amah?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Desperately.</i>] I can't help myself. Oh, I love him so. What +shall I do? I can't live without him. If you don't want me to die make +him love me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You see, you want old amah.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, I'm so unhappy. I think I shall go mad.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Sh, sh. Perhaps he love you too.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Never. He hates me. Why does he avoid me? He never comes here. At +first he was always looking in. He used to come out and dine two or +three days a week. What have I done to him? He only comes now because he +does not want to offend Harry. Harry, Harry, what do I care for Harry?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Sh. Don't let him see. Give amah the letter.</p> + +<p>[<i>She snatches it from</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>and hides it in her dress as</i> <span class="smcap">Harry</span> +<i>comes in</i>. <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>pulls herself together</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I say, Daisy, I've just had the ponies saddled. Put on your habit +and let's go for a ride.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I've got a headache.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Oh, my poor child. Why don't you lie down?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I thought I was better in the air. But there's no reason why you +shouldn't ride.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Oh, no, I won't ride without you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Why on earth not? It'll do you good. You know when my head's bad +I only want to be left alone. Your pony wants exercising.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> The boy can do that.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Trying to conceal her growing exasperation.</i>] Please do as I +ask. I'd rather you went.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>Laughing.</i>] Of course if you're so anxious to get rid of me....</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Smiling.</i>] I can't bear that you should be done out of your +ride. If you won't go alone you'll just force me to come with you.<a name="page_041" id="page_041"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I'll go. Give me a kiss before I do. [<i>She puts up her lips to +his.</i>] I'm almost ashamed of myself, I'm just as madly in love with you +as the day we were married.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You are a dear. Have a nice ride, and when you come back I shall +be all right.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> That's ripping. I shan't be very long.</p> + +<p>[<i>He goes out. The lightness, the smile, with which she has spoken to +Harry disappear as he goes, and she looks worried and anxious.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Supposing they meet?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> No can. Harry go out back way.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Yes, I suppose he will. I wish he'd be quick. [<i>Violently.</i>] I +must see George.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> [<i>Picking up the necklace.</i>] Velly pletty necklace. You silly +girl. Why you no take?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, damn, why can't you leave me alone? [<i>Listening.</i>] What on +earth is Harry doing? I thought the pony was saddled.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> [<i>Looking at the necklace.</i>] What shall I do with this?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Throw it in the dust-bin.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Lee Tai no likee that very much.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Hearing the sound of the pony, with a sigh of relief.</i>] He's +gone. Now I'm safe. Where's my bag? [<i>She takes a little mirror out of +it and looks at herself.</i>] I look perfectly hideous.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Don't be silly. You velly pletty girl.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Her ears all alert.</i>] There's someone riding along.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> That not pony. That Peking cart.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You old fool, I tell you it's a pony. At last. Oh, my heart's +beating so.... It's stopping at the gate. It's George. Oh, I love him. I +love him. [<i>To the</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span>, <i>stamping her foot</i>.] What are you waiting +for? I don't want you here now, and don't listen, d'you hear. Get out, +get out.<a name="page_042" id="page_042"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> All-light. My go away.</p> + +<p>[<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>slinks away</i>. <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>stands waiting for</i> <span class="smcap">George</span>, <i>holding +her hands to her heart as though to stop the anguish of its beating</i>. +<i>She makes a great effort at self-control as</i> <span class="smcap">George</span> <i>enters</i>. <i>He is in +riding kit. He has a bunch of orchids in his hand.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Hulloa, what are you doing here?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I was tired of sitting in the drawing-room.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I remembered it was your wedding-day. I've brought you a few +flowers. [<i>She takes them with both hands.</i>]</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Thank you. That <i>is</i> kind of you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Gravely.</i>] I hope you'll always be very happy. I hope you'll +allow me to say how grateful I am that you've given Harry so much +happiness.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You're very solemn. One would almost think you'd prepared that +pretty speech beforehand.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Trying to take it lightly.</i>] I'm sorry if it didn't sound +natural. I can promise you it was sincere.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Shall we sit down?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I think we ought to go for our ride while the light lasts. I'll +come in and have a drink on the way back.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Harry's out.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Is he? I sent you a note this morning. I said I couldn't dine on +Thursday and I'd come and fetch Harry for a ride this afternoon.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I didn't tell him.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> No?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I don't see you very often nowadays.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> There's an awful lot of work to do just now. They lead me a +dog's life at the legation.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Even at night? At first you used to come and dine with us two or +three nights a week.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I can't always be sponging on you. It's positively indecent.<a name="page_043" id="page_043"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> We don't know many people. It's not always very lively here. I +should have thought if you didn't care to come for my sake you'd have +come for Harry's.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I come whenever you ask me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You haven't been here for a month.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> It just happens that the last two or three times you've asked me +to dine I've been engaged.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Her voice breaking.</i>] You promised that we'd be friends. What +have I done to turn you against me?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>His armour pierced by the emotion in her voice.</i>] Oh, Daisy, +don't speak like that.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I've tried to do everything I could to please you. If there's +anything I do that you don't like, won't you tell me? I promise you I +won't do it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Oh, my dear child, you make me feel such an awful beast.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Is it the past that you can't forget?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Good heavens, no, what do I care about the past?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I have so few friends. I'm so awfully fond of you, George.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I don't think I've given you much cause to be that.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> There must be some reason why you won't ever come near me. Why +won't you tell me?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Oh, it's absurd, you're making a mountain out of a molehill.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You used to be so jolly, and we used to laugh together. I looked +forward so much to your coming here. What has changed you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Nothing has changed me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>With a passion of despair.</i>] Oh, I might as well batter my head +against a brick wall. How can you be so unkind to me?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> For God's sake ... [<i>He stops.</i>] Heaven knows, I don't want to +be unkind to you.<a name="page_044" id="page_044"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Then why do you treat me as an outcast? Oh, it's cruel, cruel.</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">George</span> <i>is excessively distressed</i>. <i>He walks up and down, frowning.</i> +<i>He cannot bear to look at</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>and he speaks with hesitation</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> You'll think me an awful rotter, Daisy, but you can't think me +more of a rotter than I think myself. I don't know how to say it. It +seems such an awful thing to say. I'm so ashamed of myself. I don't +suppose two men have ever been greater pals than Harry and I. He's +married to you and he's awfully in love with you. And I think you're in +love with him. I was only twenty-three when I—first knew you. It's an +awful long time ago, isn't it? There are some wounds that never quite +heal, you know. Oh, my God, don't you understand? [<i>His embarrassment, +the distraction of his tone, and the way the halting words fall +unwillingly from his lips have betrayed the truth to</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span>. <i>She does +not speak, she does not stir, she looks at him with great shining eyes. +She hardly dares to breathe.</i>] If ever you wanted revenge on me you've +got it now. You must see that it's better that I shouldn't come here too +often. Forgive me—Goodby.</p> + +<p>[<i>He hurries away with averted face.</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>stands motionless, erect; +she is almost transfigured</i>. <i>She draws a long breath.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, God! He loves me.</p> + +<p>[<i>She takes the orchids he has brought her and crushes them to her +heart.</i> <i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>appears</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You wantchee buy Manchu dress, Daisy?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Go away.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Velly cheap. You look see. No likee, no buy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Impatiently.</i>] I'm sick of curio-dealers.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Velly pletty Manchu dresses.</p> + +<p>[<i>She draws aside a little and allows a man with a large bundle wrapped +up in a blue cotton cloth to come in. He is a Chinese. He is dressed in +a long black robe and a round black cap.</i> <i>It is</i> <span class="smcap">Lee Tai Cheng</span>. <i>He is<a name="page_045" id="page_045"></a> +big and rather stout. From his smooth and yellow face his black eyes +gleam craftily. He lays his bundle on the ground and unties it, showing +a pile of gorgeous Manchu dresses.</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>has taken no notice of him</i>. +<i>Suddenly she sees that a man, with his back turned to her, is there.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>To the</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span>.] I told you I wouldn't see the man. Send him away +at once.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> [<i>Turning round, with a sly smile.</i>] You look see. No likee, no +buy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>With a start of surprise and dismay.</i>] Lee!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> [<i>Coming forward coolly.</i>] Good afternoon, Daisy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Recovering herself.</i>] It's lucky for you I'm in a good temper +or I'd have you thrown out by the boys. What have you brought this junk +for?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> A curio-dealer can come and go and no one wonders.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Lee Tai velly clever man.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Give me that chain. [<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>takes it out of her sleeve and +gives it to her</i>. <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>flings it contemptuously at</i> <span class="smcap">Lee Tai's</span> <i>feet</i>.] +Take it. Pack up your things and go. If you ever dare to show your face +here again, I'll tell my husband.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> [<i>With a chuckle.</i>] What will you tell him? Don't you be a +silly girl, Daisy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What do you want?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> [<i>Coolly.</i>] You.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Don't you know that I loathe you? You disgust me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> What do I care? Perhaps if you loved me I shouldn't want you. +Your hatred is like a sharp and bitter sauce that tickles my appetite.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You beast.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> I like the horror that makes your body tremble when I hold you +in my arms. And sometimes the horror turns on a sudden into a wild +tempest of passion.<a name="page_046" id="page_046"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You liar.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> Leave this stupid white man. What is he to you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> He is my husband.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> It is a year to-day since you were married. What has marriage +done for you? You thought when you married a white man you'd become a +white woman. Do you think they can look at you and forget? How many +white women do you know? How many friends have you got? You're a +prisoner. I'll take you to Singapore or Calcutta. Don't you want to +amuse yourself? Do you want to go to Europe? I'll take you to Paris. +I'll give you more money to spend in a week than your husband earns in a +year.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I'm very comfortable in Peking, thank you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> [<i>Snapping his fingers.</i>] You don't care that for your husband. +He loves you. You despise him. Don't you wish with all your heart that +you hadn't married him?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> He very silly white man. He no likee Daisy's old amah. Perhaps one +day he b'long sick. Daisy cry velly much if he die?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Impatiently.</i>] Don't be such a fool.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Perhaps one day he drink whisky soda. Oh, velly ill, velly ill. +What's the matter with me? No sabe. No can stand. Doctor no sabe. Then +die. Hi, hi.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You silly old woman. Harry's not a Chinaman and he wouldn't call +in a Chinese doctor.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> [<i>With a smile.</i>] China is a very old and a highly civilized +country, Daisy. When anyone is in your way, it's not very difficult to +get rid of him.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Scornfully.</i>] And do you think I'd let poor Harry be murdered +so that I might be free to listen to your generous proposals? You must +think I'm a fool if you expect me to risk my neck for that.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> You don't take <i>any</i> risk, Daisy. You know nothing.<a name="page_047" id="page_047"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Lee Tai velly clever man, Daisy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I thought so once. Lee Tai, you're a damned fool. Get out.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> Freedom is a very good thing, Daisy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What should I do with it?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> Wouldn't you like to be free now? [<i>She looks at him sharply. +She wonders if it can possibly be that he suspects her passion for +George Conway. He meets her glance steadily.</i>] One day Sen Shi Ming was +sitting with his wife looking at a Tang bronze that he had just bought +when he heard someone in the street crying for help. Sen Shi was a very +brave man and he snatched up a revolver and ran out. Sen Shi forgot that +he had cheated his brother out of a house in Hatamen Street or he would +have been more prudent. Sen Shi was found by the watchman an hour later +with a dagger in his heart. Who killed cock-robin?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Hi, hi. Sen Shi velly silly man.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> His brother knew that. They had grown up together. If I heard +cries for help outside my house late in the night, I should ask myself +who had a grudge against me, and I should make sure the door was bolted. +But white men are very brave. White men don't know the Chinese customs. +Would you be very sorry if an accident happened to your excellent +husband?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I wonder what you take me for?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> Why do you pretend to me, Daisy? Do you think I don't know you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> The door is a little on the left of you, Lee Tai. Would you give +yourself the trouble of walking through it?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> [<i>With a smile.</i>] I go, but I come back. Perhaps you'll change +your mind.</p> + +<p>[<i>He ties up his bundle and is about to go.</i> <span class="smcap">Harry</span> <i>enters</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, Harry, you're back very soon!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Yes, the pony went lame. Fortunately I hadn't gone far before I +noticed it. Who's this?<a name="page_048" id="page_048"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> It's a curio-dealer. He has nothing I want. I was just sending +him away.</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">Lee Tai</span> <i>takes up his bundle and goes out</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>Noticing the orchids.</i>] Someone been sending you flowers?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> George.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Rather nice of him. [<i>To the</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span>.] Run along, amah, I want to +talk to missy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> All light.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> And don't let me catch you listening round the corner.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> My no listen. What for I listen?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Run along—chop-chop.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Can do. [<i>She goes out.</i>]</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>With a laugh.</i>] I couldn't give you a greater proof of my +affection than consenting to have that old woman around all the time.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I don't know why you dislike her. She's devoted to me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> That's the only reason I put up with her. She gives me the +creeps. I have the impression that she watches every movement I make.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, what nonsense!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> And I've caught her eavesdropping.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Was it amah that you wanted to talk to me about?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> No, I've got something to tell you. How would you like to leave +Peking?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>With a start, suddenly off her guard.</i>] Not at all.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I'm afraid it's awfully dull for you here, darling.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I don't find it so.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> You're so dear and sweet. Are you sure you don't say that on my +account?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I'm very fond of Peking.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> We've been married a year now. I don't<a name="page_049" id="page_049"></a> want to hurt your +feelings, darling, but it's no good beating about the bush, and I think +it's better to be frank.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Surely you can say anything you like to me without hesitation.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Things have been a little awkward in a way. The women I used to +know before we married left cards on you—</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Having taken the precaution to discover that I should be out.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> And you returned those cards and that was the end of it. I asked +George what he thought about my taking you to the club to play tennis +and he said he thought we'd better not risk it. The result is that you +don't know a soul.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Have I complained?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> You've been most awfully decent about it, but I hate to think of +your spending day after day entirely by yourself. It can't be good for +you to be so much alone.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I might have known Mrs. Chuan. She's a white woman.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Oh, my dear, she was—heaven knows what she was! She's married to +a Chinaman. It's horrible. She's outside the pale.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> And there's Bertha Raymond. She's very nice, even though she is a +Eurasian.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I'm sure she's very nice, but we couldn't very well have the +Raymonds here and refuse to go to them. Her brother is one of the clerks +in my office. I don't want to seem an awful snob....</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You needn't hesitate to say anything about the Eurasians. You +can't hate and despise them more than I do.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I don't hate and despise them. I think that's odious. But +sometimes they're not very tactful. I don't know that I much want one of +my clerks to come and slap me on the back in the office and call me old +chap.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Of course not.<a name="page_050" id="page_050"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> The fact is we've been trying to do an impossible thing. It's no +good kicking against the pricks. What with the legations and one thing +and another Peking's hopeless. We'd far better clear out.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> But if I don't mind why should you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Well, it's not very nice for me either. It's for my sake just as +much as for yours that I'd be glad to go elsewhere. Of course everybody +at the club knows I'm married. Some of them ignore it altogether. I +don't mind that so much. Some of them ask after you with an exaggerated +cordiality which is rather offensive. And every now and then some fool +begins to slang the Eurasians and everybody kicks him under the table. +Then he remembers about me and goes scarlet. By God, it's hell.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Sulkily.</i>] I don't want to leave Peking. I'm very happy here.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Well, darling, I've applied for a transfer.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>With sudden indignation.</i>] Without saying a word to me?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I thought you'd be glad. I didn't want to say anything till it +was settled.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Do you think I am a child to have everything arranged for me +without a word? [<i>Trying to control herself.</i>] After all, you'd never +see George. Surely you don't want to lose sight of your only real +friend.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I've talked it over with George and he thinks it's the best thing +to do.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Did he advise you to go?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Strongly.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Violently.</i>] I won't do it. I won't leave Peking.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Why should his advice make the difference?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Why? [<i>She is confused for a moment, but quickly recovers +herself.</i>] I won't let George Conway—or anybody else—decide where I'm +to go.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Don't be unreasonable, darling.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I won't go. I tell you I won't go.<a name="page_051" id="page_051"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Well, I'm afraid you must now. It's all settled. The transfer is +decided.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Bursting into tears.</i>] Oh, Harry, don't take me away from here. +I can't bear it. I want to stay here.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Oh, darling, how can you be so silly! You'll have a much better +time at one of the outports. You see, there are so few white people +there that they can't afford to put on frills. They'll be jolly glad to +know us both. We shall lead a normal life and be like everybody else.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Sulkily.</i>] Where do you want to go?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I've been put in charge of our place at Chung-king.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Starting up with a cry.</i>] Chung-king! Of course you'd choose +Chung-king.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Why, what's wrong with it? Do you know it?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> No—oh, what am I talking about? I'm all confused. Yes, I was +there once when I was a girl. It's a hateful place.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Oh, nonsense! The consul's got a charming wife, and there are +quite a nice lot of people there.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Distracted.</i>] Oh, what shall I do? I'm so unhappy. If you cared +for me at all you wouldn't treat me so cruelly. You're ashamed of me. +You want to hide me. Why should I bury myself in a hole two thousand +miles up the river? I won't go! I won't go! I won't go! [<i>She bursts +into a storm of hysterical weeping.</i>]</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>Trying to take her in his arms.</i>] Oh, Daisy, for God's sake +don't cry. You know I'm not ashamed of you. I love you more than ever. I +love you with all my heart.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Drawing away from him.</i>] Don't touch me. Leave me alone. I hate +you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Don't say that, Daisy. It hurts me frightfully.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, go away, go away!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>Seeking to reason with her.</i>] I can't leave you like this.<a name="page_052" id="page_052"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Go, go, go, go, go! I don't want to see you! Oh, God, what shall +I do?</p> + +<p>[<i>She flings herself doom on the steps, weeping hysterically.</i> <span class="smcap">Harry</span>, +<i>much distressed, looks at her in perplexity</i>. <i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You make missy cly. You velly bad man.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> What the devil do you want?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> [<i>Going up to</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>and stroking her head</i>.] What thing he +talkee my poor little flower? Maskee. He belong velly bad man.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Shut up, you old ... I won't have you talk like that. I've put up +with a good deal from you, but if you try to make mischief between Daisy +and me, by God, I'll throw you out into the street with my own hands.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> What thing you do my Daisy? Don't cly, Daisy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Darling, don't be unreasonable.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Go away, don't come near me. I hate you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> How <i>can</i> you say anything so unkind?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Send him away. [<i>She begins to sob again more violently.</i>]</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You go away. You no can see she no wanchee you. You come back +bimeby. My sabe talk to little flower.</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">Harry</span> <i>hesitates for a moment</i>. <i>He is harassed by the scene. Then he +makes up his mind the best thing is to leave</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>with the</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span>. <i>He +goes out.</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>raises her head cautiously</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Has he gone?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Yes. He go drink whisky soda.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Do you know what he wants?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> What for he tell me no listen? So fashion I sabe he say something +I wanchee hear. He wanchee you leave Peking.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I won't go.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Harry velly silly man. He alla same pig.<a name="page_053" id="page_053"></a> You pull thisa way, he +pull thata way. If Harry say you go from Peking—you go.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Never, never, never!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You go away from Peking you never see George anymore.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I should die. Oh, I want him! I want him to love me. I want him +to hurt me. I want.... [<i>In her passion she has dug her hands hard into +the</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span>.]</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> [<i>Pushing away</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy's</span> <i>hands</i>.] Oh!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> He loves me. That's the only thing that matters. All the rest....</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Harry wanchee you go Chung-king. Missionary ladies like see you +again, Daisy. Perhaps they ask you how you like living along Lee Tai +Cheng. Perhaps somebody tell Harry.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> The fool. Of all the places in China he must hit upon Chung-king.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You know Harry. If he say go Chung-king, he go. You cly, he velly +solly, he all same go.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, I know his obstinacy. When he's once made up his +mind—[<i>Contemptuously.</i>]—he prides himself on his firmness. Oh, what +shall I do?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I think more better something happen to Harry.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> No, no, no!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> What you flightened for? You no do anything. I tell Lee Tai more +better something happen to Harry. I say you not velly sorry if Harry +die.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Putting her hands over her ears.</i>] Be quiet! I won't listen to +you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> [<i>Roughly tearing her hands away.</i>] Don't you be such a big fool, +Daisy. You go to Chung-king and Harry know everything. Maybe he kill +you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What do I care?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You go to Chung-king, you never see George no more. George, he +love my little Daisy. When Harry gone—George, he come say....</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, don't tempt me, it's horrible!<a name="page_054" id="page_054"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> He put his arms round you and you feel such a little small thing, +you hear his heart beat quick, quick against your heart. And he throw +back your head and he kiss you. And you think you die, little flower.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, I love him, I love him!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Hi, hi.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Thinking of the scene with George.</i>] He would hardly look at me +and his hands were trembling. He was as white as a sheet.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> [<i>Persuasively.</i>] I tell you, Daisy. You no say yes, you no say +no. I ask Buddha.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Frightened.</i>] What for?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> If Buddha say yes, I talk with Lee Tai; if Buddha say no, I do +nothing. Then you go to Chung-king and you never see George any more.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>goes up the temple steps and flings open the great +doors</i>. <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>watches her with an agony of horror, expectation, +and dread. The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>lights some joss-sticks on the altar, and +strikes a deep-toned gong.</i> <span class="smcap">Harry</span> <i>comes in, followed by</i> <span class="smcap">Lee Tai</span> +<i>with his bundle</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>Anxious to make his peace.</i>] Daisy, I found this fellow hanging +about in the courtyard. I thought I'd like to buy you a Manchu dress +that he's got.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>After a moment's reflection, with a change of tone.</i>] That's +very nice of you, Harry.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> It's a real beauty. You'll look stunning in it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> [<i>Showing the dress, speaking in Pidgin English.</i>] Firs class +dless. He belong Manchu plincess. Manchus no got money. No got money, no +can chow. Manchus sell velly cheap. You takee, Missy.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Lee Tai</span> <i>exchange glances</i>. <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>is grave and +tragic, whereas</i> <span class="smcap">Lee Tai</span> <i>has an ironical glint in his eyes. +Meanwhile the</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>has been bowing before the altar. She goes +down on her knees and knocks her head on the ground</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> What in God's Name is amah doing?<a name="page_055" id="page_055"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> She's asking Buddha a question.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> What question?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>With a shadow of a smile.</i>] How should I know?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> What's the idea?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Haven't you ever seen the Chinese do it? You see those pieces of +wood she's holding in her hands. She's holding them out to the Buddha so +that he may see them and she's telling him that he must answer the +question. [<i>Meanwhile the</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span>, <i>muttering in a low tone, is seen doing +what</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>describes</i>.] The Buddha smells the incense of the burning +joss-sticks, and he's pleased and he listens to what she says.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>Smiling.</i>] Don't be so absurd, Daisy. One might almost think +you believed all this nonsense. Why, you're quite pale.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Then she gets up. The pieces of wood are flat on one side and +round on the other. She'll lift them above her head and she'll drop them +in front of the Buddha. If they fall with the round side uppermost it +means yes. [<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>has been growing more and more excited as the +ceremony proceeds. Now the</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>steps back a little and she raises her +arms</i>. <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>gives a shriek and starts to run forward</i>.] No! no! Stop!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>Instinctively seizing her arms.</i>] Daisy!</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>At the same moment the</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>has let the pieces of wood fall. +She looks at them for an instant and then turns round</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Buddha talkee, can do.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Harry</span>.] Why did you stop me?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Daisy, how can you be so superstitious? What is the result?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Amah asked Buddha a question and the answer is yes. [<i>She puts +her hand to her heart for an instant, then looking at</i> <span class="smcap">Harry</span> <i>she +smiles</i>.] I'm sorry I was silly and unreasonable just now, Harry.</p> + +<p class="c">END OF SCENE III</p> + +<p><a name="page_056" id="page_056"></a></p> + +<p><a name="page_057" id="page_057"></a></p> + +<h3><a name="SCENE_IV" id="SCENE_IV"></a>SCENE IV</h3> + +<p><a name="page_058" id="page_058"></a></p> + +<p><a name="page_059" id="page_059"></a></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang"><i>The sitting-room in the</i> <span class="smcap">Andersons'</span> <i>apartments. At the back are +two double doors. The lower part of them is solid, but above they +are cut in an intricate trellis. The ceiling is raftered, painted +red and decorated with dim, gold dragons; the walls are +whitewashed. On them hang Chinese pictures on rolls. Between the +doors is a little image of the domestic god, and under it a tiny +oil lamp is burning. The furniture is partly Chinese and partly +European. There is an English writing-table, but the occasional +tables, richly carved, are Chinese. There is a Chinese pallet-bed, +covered with bamboo matting, and there is an English Chesterfield. +There are a couple of Philippine rattan chairs and one or two of +Cantonese blackwood. On the floor is a Chinese carpet. A Ming tile +here and there gives a vivid note of colour. It is a summer night +and the doors are wide open. Through them you see one of the +courtyards of the temple</i>.</p> + +<p class="hang"><i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>is seated in one of the blackwood chairs by the side of +a table. She has her water-pipe. She puts a pinch of tobacco in and +then going to the lamp under the image lights a taper. She seats +herself again and lights her pipe. She smokes quietly</i>.</p> + +<p class="hang"><span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>comes in. She wears an evening dress somewhat too splendid +for dinner with only her husband and a friend</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> B. A. T. fellow, when he go?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You know his name. Why don't you call him by it? I think he's +going almost at once.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> What for he go so soon?<a name="page_060" id="page_060"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> That's his business, isn't it? As a matter of fact his sister is +arriving from England, and he has to go to meet her.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> More better he go soon.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Why do you smoke your pipe here? You know Harry doesn't like it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Harry one big fool, I think. When you go to Chung-king?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Harry hasn't said a word about it since.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You got key that desk?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> No. Harry keeps all his private papers there.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>goes up to the desk and tries one of the drawers. It +is locked and she cannot open it</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> What Harry do now?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> He and Mr. Knox are drinking their port.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>takes out a skeleton key out of her pocket and inserts +it in the lock. She turns the key</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Velly bad lock. I think him made in Germany. Hi, hi. [<i>She opens +the drawer and takes out a revolver. She hands it to</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span>.] Lee Tai +say, you take out cartridges.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What do you mean? [<i>She suddenly guesses the truth and gives a +cry.</i>] Oh!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> [<i>Hurriedly putting her hand over</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy's</span> <i>mouth</i>.] Sh, you no +make noise. [<i>Holding out the revolver.</i>] Lee Tai say, more better you +do it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Take it away. No, no, I won't, I won't.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Sh, sh. I do it. I sabe.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>She takes the cartridges out of the revolver and hides them about +her.</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>looks at her with horror</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> It's not for to-night?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I no sabe.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I won't have it. Do you hear? Oh, I shall go mad!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Then Harry shut you up. Hi, hi. All same Chung-king.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>She puts the revolver back into the drawer and shuts it</i><a name="page_061" id="page_061"></a> <i>just +as</i> <span class="smcap">Harry</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Harold Knox</span> <i>come in. They wear dinner jackets</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Hulloa, there's the little ray of sunshine. I missed your bonny +face before dinner.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You velly funny man.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> No wonder I dote upon you, dearie. You're the only attractive +woman I've ever been able to persuade that I was a humourist.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>Catching sight of the</i> <span class="smcap">Amah's</span> <i>water-pipe</i>.] I told you I +wouldn't have your disgusting pipe in here, amah.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Belong velly nice pipe.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I swore I'd throw the damned thing out myself if I found it lying +about.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> [<i>Snatching it away.</i>] You no touch my pipe. You velly bad man. +Velly bad temper. You no Christian.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> A fat lot you know about Christianity.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I know plentything about Christianity. My father velly poor man. +He say, you go and be Christian. I go Catholic mission and they baptize +me. English Church missionary, he come along and say, Catholic mission +no good, you go to hell, I baptize you. All right I say, you baptize me. +By and by Baptist missionary come along and say, English Church mission +no good, you go to hell, I baptize you. All right, I say, you baptize +me. By and by Presbyterian missionary come along and say, Baptist +mission no good, you go to hell, I baptize you. All right, I say, you +baptize me. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Knox</span>.] You know Seventh Day Adventists?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> I've heard of them.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> By and by Seventh Day Adventist he come along and say, +Presbyterian mission no good.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> You go to hell.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> How fashion you sabe what he said?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> I guessed it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You go to hell, he say. I baptize you. I been<a name="page_062" id="page_062"></a> baptized one, two, +three, four, five times. I velly Christian woman.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>Smiling.</i>] I apologize.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> They all say to poor Chinese, love one another. I no think +missionaries love one another velly much. Hi, hi.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> [<i>Taking out his watch.</i>] D'you mind if I look at the time? I +don't want to get to the station late.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Of course not. I say, won't you have a cigar? [<i>He goes to his +desk.</i>] I have to keep them locked up. I think the boys find them very +much to their taste. [<i>He puts the key into the lock.</i>] Hulloa, the +drawer's open. I could have sworn I locked it. [<i>He takes out a box of +cigars and hands it to</i> <span class="smcap">Knox</span>.]</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> [<i>Helping himself.</i>] Thanks very much.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You know, you mustn't let me keep you if you want to be off.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> I've got two or three minutes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Oh, Daisy, before Harold goes I wish you'd show him that Manchu +dress I bought you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I'll go and fetch it. [<i>To the</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span>.] Is it hanging up in the +cupboard?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> No, I have puttee in paper. I velly careful woman.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>They both go out.</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> I say, old man, I hope you don't think I'm an awful swine to rush +off like this the moment I've swallowed my dinner.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Rather not. As a matter of fact it's not exactly inconvenient, +because I'm expecting George. I want him to have a heart to heart talk +with Daisy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Oh.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> She's grousing rather about going to Chung-king and I want him to +tell her it's a very decent place. He was vice-consul up there once. +He's dining at the Carmichael's, but he said he'd come along here as +soon as he could get away.<a name="page_063" id="page_063"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Then it's all for the best in the best of all possible worlds.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>comes in with the dress</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Here it is.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> By George, isn't it stunning? I must try to get one for my sister. +She'd simply go off her head if she saw that.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Harry spoils me, doesn't he?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Harry's a very lucky young fellow to have you to spoil.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Smiling.</i>] Go away or you'll never arrive in time.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> I'm off. Goodby and thanks very much. Dinner was top-hole.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Goodby.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>He goes out.</i> <span class="smcap">Harry</span> <i>accompanies him into the courtyard and for a +moment is lost to view. The gaiety on</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy's</span> <i>face vanishes and a +look of anxiety takes its place</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Calling hurriedly.</i>] Amah, amah.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> [<i>Coming in.</i>] What thing?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What have you done? Have you...? [<i>She stops, unable to complete +the agonised question.</i>]</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> What you talk about? I done nothing. I only have joke with you. +Hi, hi.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Will you swear that's true?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Never tell a lie. Velly good Christian.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>looks at her searchingly. She does not know whether to +believe or not</i>. <span class="smcap">Harry</span> <i>returns</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I say, Daisy, I wish you'd put on the dress. I'd love to see how +you look in it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>With a smile.</i>] Shall I?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Amah will help you. It'll suit you right down to the ground.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Wait a minute. Bring the dress along, amah.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> All right.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>goes out, followed by the</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>with the Manchu<a name="page_064" id="page_064"></a> dress</i>. +<span class="smcap">Harry</span> <i>goes to his desk and opens the drawer. He examines the lock +and looks at the keyhole</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>To himself.</i>] I wonder if that old devil's got a key.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>He shuts the drawer, but does not lock it. He strolls back to the +middle of the room.</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>In the adjoining room.</i>] Are you getting impatient?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Not a bit.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I'm just ready.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I'm holding my breath. [<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>comes in. She is in full Manchu +dress. She is strangely changed. There is nothing European about her any +more. She is mysterious and enigmatical</i>.] Daisy! [<i>She gives him a +little smile but does not answer. She stands quite still for him to look +at her.</i>] By George, how Chinese you look!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Don't you like it?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I don't know. You've just knocked me off my feet. Like it? You're +wonderful. In my wildest dreams I never saw you like that. You've +brought all the East into the room with you. My head reels as though I +were drunk.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> It's strange that I feel as if these things were made for me. +They make me feel so different.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I thought that no one in the world was more normal than I. I'm +ashamed of myself. You're almost a stranger to me and by God, I feel as +though the marrow of my bones were melting. I hear the East a-calling. I +have such a pain in my heart. Oh, my pretty, my precious, I love you.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>He falls down on his knees before her and clasps both his arms +round her.</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>In a low voice, hardly her own.</i>] Why, Harry, what are you +talking about?</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>She caresses his hair with her long, delicate Chinese hand.</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I'm such a fool. My heart is full of wonderful<a name="page_065" id="page_065"></a> thoughts and I +can only say that—that I worship the very ground you walk on.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Don't kneel, Harry; that isn't the way a woman wants to be loved.</p> + +<p>[<i>She raises him to his feet and as he rises he takes her in his arms.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>Passionately.</i>] I'd do anything in the world for you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You could make me so happy if you chose.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I do choose.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Won't you give up this idea of leaving Peking?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> But, my darling, it's for your happiness I'm doing it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Don't you think that everyone is the best judge of his own +happiness?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Not always.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Disengaging herself from his arms.</i>] Ah, that's the English +way. You want to make people happy in your way and not in theirs. You'll +never be satisfied till the Chinese wear Norfolk jackets and eat roast +beef and plum pudding.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Oh, my dear, don't let's argue now.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You say you'll give me everything in the world and you won't give +me the one thing I want. What's the good of offering me the moon if I +have a nail in my shoe and you won't take it out?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Well, you can smile, so it's not very serious, is it?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Putting her arms round his neck.</i>] Oh, Harry, I'll love you so +much if you'll only do what I ask. You don't know me yet. Oh, Harry!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> My darling, I love you with all my heart and soul, but when I've +once made up my mind nothing on earth is going to make me change it. We +can only be happy and natural if we go. You must submit to my judgment.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> How <i>can</i> you be so obstinate?<a name="page_066" id="page_066"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> My dear, look at yourself in the glass now.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>She looks down on her Manchu dress. She understands what he +means. She is a Chinese woman.</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>With a change of tone.</i>] Amah, bring me a tea-gown.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>She begins to undo the long Manchu coat. The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>comes in with +a tea-gown</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>Dryly.</i>] It's very convenient that you should always be within +earshot when you're wanted, amah.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I velly good amah. Velly Christian woman.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>slips off the Manchu clothes and is helped by the</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> +<i>into the tea-gown. She wraps it round her. She is once more a +white woman.</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Pointing to the Manchu dress.</i>] Take those things away. [<i>To</i> +<span class="smcap">Harry</span>.] Would you like to have a game of chess?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Very much. I'll get the men.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>goes to the gramophone and turns on a Chinese tune. It is +strange and exotic. Its monotony exacerbates the nerves.</i> <span class="smcap">Harry</span> +<i>gets the chessboard and sets up the pieces. They sit down opposite +one another. The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>has disappeared with the discarded dress</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Will you take white?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> If you like. [<i>She moves a piece.</i>]</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I hate your queen opening. It always flummoxes me. I don't know +where you learned to play so well. I never have a chance against you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I was taught by a Chinaman. It's a game they take to naturally.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>They make two or three moves without a word. Suddenly, breaking +across the silence, stridently, there is a shriek outside in the +street.</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>gives a little gasp</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Hulloa, what's that?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, it's nothing. It's only some Chinese quarrelling.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>Two or three shouts are heard and then an agonised cry of "Help, +help."</i> <span class="smcap">Harry</span> <i>springs to his feet</i>.</p></div> + +<p><a name="page_067" id="page_067"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> By God, that's English.</p> + +<p>[<i>He is just going to rush out when Daisy seizes his arm.</i>]</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What are you going to do? No, no, don't leave me, Harry.</p> + +<p>[<i>She clings to him. He pushes her away violently.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Shut up. Don't be a fool.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>He runs to the drawer of his desk. The cry is repeated: "For +God's sake, help, help, oh!"</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> My God, they're killing someone. It can't be ... [<i>He remembers +that George is coming that evening.</i>]</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Throwing herself on him.</i>] No, Harry, don't go, don't go, I +won't let you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Get out of my way.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>He pushes her violently aside and runs out.</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>sinks to the +floor and buries her face in her hands</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, my God!</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>has been waiting just outside one of the doors, in the +courtyard, and now she slips in</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Harry velly blave man. He hear white man being murdered. He run +and help. Hi, hi.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, I can't. Harry, Harry.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>She springs to her feet and runs towards the courtyard, with some +instinctive idea of going to her husband's help.</i> The <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>stops +her</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> What side you go?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I can't stand here and let Harry be murdered.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You stop here.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Let me go. For God's sake let me go. Wu, Wu.</p> + +<p>[<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>puts her hand over</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy's</span> <i>mouth</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You be quiet. You wanchee go prison?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Snatching away her hand.</i>] I'll give you anything in the world +if you'll only let me go.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You silly little fool, Daisy.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>struggles to release herself, but she is helpless in the</i> +<span class="smcap">Amah's</span> <i>grasp</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>In an agony.</i>] It'll be too late.<a name="page_068" id="page_068"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Too late now. You no can help him.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>She releases</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span>. <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>staggers forward and covers her face +with her hands</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, what have I done?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> [<i>With a snigger.</i>] You no done nothing, you know nothing.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Violently.</i>] Curse you! It's you, you, you!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I velly wicked woman. Curse me. Do me no harm.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I told you I wouldn't have anything done to Harry.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You say no with your lips but in your belly you say yes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> No, no, no!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You just big damned fool, Daisy. You no love Harry. Him not velly +rich. Not velly big man. No good. You velly glad you finish with him.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> But not that way. He never did me any harm. He was always good to +me and kind to me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> That velly good way. Velly safe way.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You devil! I hate the sight of you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> What for you hate me? I do what you want. Your father velly clever +man. He say: no break eggs, no can eat omelette.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I wish I'd never been born.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> [<i>Impatiently.</i>] What for you tell me lies? You want Harry dead. +Well, I kill him for you. [<i>With a sudden gust of anger.</i>] You no curse +me or I beat you. You velly bad girl.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Giving way.</i>] Oh, I feel so awfully faint!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> [<i>Tenderly, as though</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>were still a child</i>.] You sit down. +You take smelly salts. [<i>She helps</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>into a chair and holds +smelling salts to her nostrils</i>.] You feel better in a minute. Amah love +her little Daisy flower. Harry him die and Daisy velly sorry. She cry +and cry and cry. George velly sorry for Daisy. By and<a name="page_069" id="page_069"></a> by Daisy no cry +any more. She say, more better Harry dead. Good old amah, she do +everything for little Daisy.</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>has been looking at her with terrified eyes</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What a brute I am! I'd give anything in the world to have Harry +back, and yet in the bottom of my heart there's a feeling—if I were +free there'd be nothing to stand between George and me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I think George he marry you maybe.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, not now! It'll bring me bad joss.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You no wanchee fear, my little flower. You sit still or you feel +bad again.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Jumping up.</i>] How can I sit still? The suspense is awful. Oh, +my God, what's happened?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> [<i>With a cunning smile.</i>] I tell you what's happened. Harry run +outside and he see two, three men makee fighting. They a little way off. +One man cry, "Help, help!" Harry give shout and run. He fall down and +him not get up again.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> He's as strong as a horse. With his bare hands he's a match for +ten Chinamen.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Lee Tai velly clever man. He no take risks. I think all finish +now.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Then for God's sake let me go.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> More better you stay here, Daisy. Perhaps you get into trouble if +you go out. They ask you why you go out,—why you think something happen +to your husband.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I can't let him lie there.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> He no lie velly long. By and by night watchman come here, and he +say white man in the street—him dead. I think his throat cut.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, how horrible! Harry, Harry!</p> + +<p>[<i>She buries her face in her hands.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I light joss-stick. Make everything come all right.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>She goes over to the household image and lights a joss-stick<a name="page_070" id="page_070"></a> in +front of it. She bows before it and going on her knees knocks her +head on the ground.</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> How long is it going on? How long have I got to wait? Oh, what +have I done? The silence is awful. [<i>There is a silence. Suddenly</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> +<i>breaks out into a shriek</i>.] No, no, no! I won't have it. I can't bear +it. Oh, God help me! [<i>In the distance of the next courtyard is heard +the chanting of the monks at the evening service. The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span>, <i>having +finished her devotions, stands at the doorway looking out steadily</i>. +<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>stares straight in front of her. Suddenly there is a loud booming +of a gong</i>. <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>starts up</i>.] What's that?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Be quiet, Daisy. Be careful.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>The door of the courtyard is flung open.</i> <span class="smcap">Harry</span> <i>comes in, +through the courtyard, into the room, pushing before him a coolie +whom he holds by the wrists and by the scruff of the neck</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Harry!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I've got one of the blighters. [<i>Shouting.</i>] Here, bring me a +rope.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What's happened?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Wait a minute. Thank God, I got there when I did. [<span class="smcap">Wu</span> <i>brings a +rope and</i> <span class="smcap">Harry</span> <i>ties the man's wrists behind his back</i>.] Keep quiet, +you devil, or I'll break your ruddy neck. [<i>He slips the rope through +the great iron ring of one of the doors and ties it so that the man +cannot get away.</i>] He'll be all right there for the present. I'll just +go and telephone to the police station. Wu, you stand outside there. You +watch him. Sabe?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Wu.</span> I sabe.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>As</i> <span class="smcap">Harry</span> <i>goes out a crowd of people surge through the great +open doorway of the courtyard. They are monks of the temple, +attracted to the street by the quick rumour of accident, coolies, +and the night watchman with his rattle. Some of them bear Chinese +lanterns, some hurricane lamps. The crowd separates out as they +approach the room and then it is seen that<a name="page_071" id="page_071"></a> three men are bearing +what seems to be the body of a man</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What's that?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I think belong foreign man. [<i>The men bring in the body and lay it +on the sofa. The head and part of the chest are covered with a piece of +blue cotton.</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>and the</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>look at it with dismay. They dare +not approach. The</i> <span class="smcap">Abbot</span> <i>drives the crowd out of the room and shuts the +doors, only leaving that side of one open at which the prisoner is +attached. The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>turns on the god in the niche</i>.] You say can do. +What for you make mistake?</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>She seizes a fan which is on the table under her hand and with +angry violence hits the image on the face two or three times.</i> +<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>has been staring at the body. She goes up to it softly and +lifts the cloth slightly, she gives a start, and with a quick +gesture snatches it away. She sees George Conway</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> George. [<i>She opens her mouth to shriek.</i>]</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Sh, take care. Harry hear.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What have you done?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I do nothing. Buddha, he makee mistake.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You fiend!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> How do I know, Daisy? I no can tell George coming here to-night. +[<i>The words come gurgling out, for</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>has sprung upon her and +seized her by the throat</i>.] Oh, let me go.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You fiend.</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">Harry</span> <i>comes in. He is astounded at what he sees</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Daisy, Daisy. What in God's name are you doing?</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>Restrained by his voice</i>, <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>releases her hold of the</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span>, +<i>but violently, pushing her so that she falls to the ground. She +lies there, putting her hand to her throat</i>. <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>turns to</i> +HARRY.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> It's George.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>Going up to the sofa and putting his hand on George's heart.</i>] +Confound it, I know it's George.<a name="page_072" id="page_072"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Is he dead?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> No, he's only had a bang on the head. He's stunned. I've sent for +the doctor. Luckily he was dining at the Carmichaels' and I sent +George's rickshaw to bring him along as quick as he could come.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Supposing he's gone?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> He won't have gone. They were going to play poker. By God, what's +this? [<i>He takes away his hand and sees blood upon it.</i>] He's been +wounded. He's bleeding.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>goes up to the body and kneeling down, feels the pulse</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Are you sure he's alive?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Yes, his heart's beating all right. I wish the doctor would make +haste. I don't know what one ought to do.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> How do you know he's at the Carmichaels'?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> George told me yesterday he was going to be there. George said he +did not want to play poker and he'd come along here after dinner.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Springing to her feet.</i>] Did you know George was coming?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Of course I did. When I heard someone shouting in English the +first thing I thought of was George.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>bursts into a scream of hysterical laughter. The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> +<i>suddenly looks up and becomes attentive</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Daisy, what's the matter?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> [<i>Sliding to her feet and going up to Daisy, trying to stop her.</i>] +Maskee. She only laughy laughy. You no trouble.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Get some water or something.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> [<i>Frightened.</i>] Now, my pletty, my pletty.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Recovering herself, violently.</i>] Let me be.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> By George, I believe he's coming to. Bring the water here.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>takes the glass and leaning over the sofa, moistens</i> +<span class="smcap">George's</span> <i>lips. He slowly opens his eyes</i>.</p></div> + +<p><a name="page_073" id="page_073"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Funny stuff. What is it?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>With a chuckle that is half a sob.</i>] Don't be a fool. Oh, +George, you have given me a nasty turn.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> There's something the matter with the water.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Looking at it quickly.</i>] What?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Damn it all, there's no brandy in it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> If you make a joke I shall cry.</p> + +<p>[<i>He tries to move, but suddenly gives a groan.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Oh Lord. I've got such a pain in my side.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Keep quiet. The doctor will be here in a minute.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> What is it?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I don't know. There's a lot of blood.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I hope I haven't made a mess on your nice new sofa.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Damn the sofa. It's lucky I heard you shout.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I never shouted.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Oh, nonsense, I heard you. I thought it was you at once.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I heard a cry for help too. I was just coming along. I nipped +out of my rickshaw and sprinted like hell. I saw some fellows +struggling. I think someone hit me on the head. I don't remember much.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Who did cry for help?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>After a pause.</i>] Nobody.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> But I heard it. Daisy heard it too. It sounded like someone being +murdered. [<i>As</i> <span class="smcap">George</span> <i>gives a little chuckle</i>.] What's the joke?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Someone's got his knife into you, old man, and the silly ass +stuck it into me instead.</p> + +<p>[<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>pricks up her ears</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I'm sure you oughtn't to talk so much.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> It's a very old Chinese trick. They just got the wrong man, +that's all.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> By George, that explains why I tripped.<a name="page_074" id="page_074"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Did you trip? A piece of string across the street.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I wasn't expecting it. I went down like a ninepin. I was up again +in a flash and just threw myself at the blighters. You should have seen +'em scatter. Luckily I got one of them.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Good. Where is he?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> He's here. I've tied him up pretty tight.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Well, we shall find out who's at the bottom of this. The methods +of the Chinese police may be uncivilized, but they are ... Oh, Lord, I +do feel rotten.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Oh, George.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>gives</i> <span class="smcap">Harry</span> <i>the glass and he helps</i> <span class="smcap">George</span> <i>to drink</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> That's better.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> We'd better get you to bed, old man.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> All right.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Wu and I will carry you. Wu, come along here.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>The boy approaches. The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>realizes that for a moment the +prisoner is to be left unguarded. There is a table knife on one of +the occasional tables with which</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>has been cutting a book. +The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah's</span> <i>hand closes over it</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Oh, no, that's all right. I can walk.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>He gets up from the sofa.</i> <span class="smcap">Harry</span> <i>gives him an arm. He staggers.</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Wu, you fool. [<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>springs forward</i>.] No, let me take him, +Daisy. You're not strong enough.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Gasping.</i>] Sorry to make such an ass of myself.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<span class="smcap">Harry</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Wu</span>, <i>holding him one on each side, help him out of the +room</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Shall I come?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Oh, I'll call you if you're wanted.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>sinks into a chair, shuddering, and covers her face with +her hands. The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>seizes her opportunity.<a name="page_075" id="page_075"></a> She cuts the rope +which binds the prisoner. As soon as he is free he steps out into +the darkness. The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>watches for a moment and then cries out</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Help, help!</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>springs up and</i> <span class="smcap">Harry</span> <i>hurries in</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> What's the matter?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Coolie. Him run away.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>Looking at the place where he had been tied up.</i>] By God!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Missy feel velly ill. No can stand blood. Feel faint. I run fetch +smelly salts and when I come back him gone. Him bad man.</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">Harry</span> <i>goes to the door and looks at the rope</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> This rope's been cut.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Perhaps he have knife. Why you no look see before you tie him.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>Looking at her sternly.</i>] How do you think he could get at a +knife with his hands tied behind his back?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I no sabe. Maybe he have friend.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Didn't you hear anything, Daisy?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> No. I wasn't thinking about him. Oh, Harry, George isn't going to +die, is he?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I hope not. I don't know what sort of a wound he's got. [<i>The</i> +<span class="smcap">Amah</span>, <i>thinking attention is withdrawn from her, is slipping away</i>.] No, +you don't. You stop here.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> What thing you wantchee?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> You let that man go.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You velly silly man. What for I want let him go?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>Pointing.</i>] What's that knife doing there? That's one of our +knives.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Missy takey knife cutty book.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> When I got into the street I wanted to fire my revolver to +frighten them. There wasn't a cartridge in it. I always keep it loaded +and locked up.<a name="page_076" id="page_076"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Revolver. I don't know him. I never have see revolver. Never. +Never.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>She makes a movement as though to go away. He seizes her wrist.</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Stop.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> My go chow. My belong velly hungly. You talk by and by.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> If I hadn't come in just now, Daisy would have strangled you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Daisy velly excited. She no sabe what she do. She never hurt old +amah.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Why were you angry with her, Daisy?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Frightened.</i>] I was beside myself. I don't know what I was +doing.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>With sudden suspicion</i>.] Are you trying to shield her?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Of course not. Why on earth should I do that?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I suppose you look on it as a matter of no importance that she +tried to kill me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, Harry, how can you say anything so cruel? Why should she try +and kill you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I don't know. How do you expect me to guess what is at the back +of a Chinese brain? She's hated me always.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You no love me velly much.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I've put up with her just because she was attached to you. I knew +she was a liar and a thief. It was a trap and I escaped by a miracle. +Only, George has got to suffer for it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Harry, you're nervous and excited.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> What are you defending her for?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I'm not defending her.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> One would almost think she had some hold on you. I've never seen +anyone let an amah behave as you let her behave.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> She's been with me since I was a child. She—she can't get it +into her head that I'm grown up.<a name="page_077" id="page_077"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Well, I've had about enough of her. [<i>To the</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah</span>.] The police will be here in ten minutes and I shall give you in +charge instead of the man you allowed to escape.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You give me policeman? I no have do wrong. What for you send me to +prison?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> I daresay you know what a Chinese prison is like better than I +do. I don't think it'll be long before you find it worth while to tell +the truth.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>With increasing nervousness.</i>] Oh, Harry, I don't think you +ought to do anything before you've had time to think. After all, there's +absolutely no proof.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>Looking at her with perplexity.</i>] I don't understand. What is +the mystery?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> There is no mystery. Only I can't bear the idea that my old amah +should go to prison. She's been almost a mother to me for so many years.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>There is a pause.</i> <span class="smcap">Harry</span> <i>looks from</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>to the</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>To the</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span>.] Then get out of here before the police come.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You talkee so quick. No can understand.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Yes, you can. Unless you're out of here in ten minutes I shall +give you in charge ... Go while the going's good.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I think I go smoke pipe.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> No, you don't, you get out quick or I'll throw you out myself.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You no throw me out and I no go to prison.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> We'll soon see about that.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>He seizes her roughly and is about to run her out into the +courtyard.</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> No, don't, Harry. She's my mother.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> That!</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>He is aghast. He releases the</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span>. <i>He looks at her with +horror.</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>covers her face with her hands. The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>gives a +little snigger</i>.</p></div> + +<p><a name="page_078" id="page_078"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Yes, Daisy, my daughter. She no wanchee tell. I think she a little +ashamed of her mother.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> My God!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I velly pletty girl long time ago. Daisy's father, he call me his +little lotus flower, he call me his little peach-blossom. By and by I no +velly pletty girl any more and Daisy's father he call me you old witch. +Witch, that's what he call me. Witch. He call me, you old hag. You velly +bad man, I say to him. You no Christian. You go to hell, he say. All +right, I say, you baptize me.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<span class="smcap">Harry</span> <i>turns away, with dismay, and repulsion. The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>takes +her pipe and lights it</i>.</p></div> + +<p class="c">END OF SCENE IV<a name="page_079" id="page_079"></a></p> + +<h3><a name="SCENE_V" id="SCENE_V"></a>SCENE V</h3> + +<p><a name="page_080" id="page_080"></a></p> + +<p><a name="page_081" id="page_081"></a></p> + +<p><i>The courtyard in the</i> <span class="smcap">Andersons'</span> <i>part of the temple</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang"><i>At the back is the outer wall raised by two or three steps from +the ground. From the top of the wall, projects a shallow roof of +yellow tiles supported by wooden pillars painted red, shabby and +rather weather-worn, and this roof is raised in the middle of the +wall, where there is a huge wooden gateway. When this is opened the +street is seen and on the other side of it a high, blank, white +wall. The courtyard is paved with great flags. On each side of it +are living rooms.</i></p> + +<p class="hang"><i>There is a long rattan chair; a round table and a couple of +armchairs.</i> <span class="smcap">George</span> <i>is lying on the long chair, looking at an +illustrated paper, and the</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>is seated on the ground, smoking +her water-pipe</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>With a smile, putting down the paper.</i>] You're not as chatty +as usual this afternoon, amah.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Suppose I got nothing to talk about I no talk.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> You are an example to your sex, amah. Your price is above +rubies.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> No likee rubies velly much. No can sell velly much money.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> In point of fact I wasn't thinking of giving you rubies, even +reconstructed, but if I did I can't think you'd be so indelicate as to +sell them.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I no think you velly funny man.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I was afraid you didn't. Would you think it funny if I sat on my +hat?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Yes, I laugh then. Hi, hi.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> The inscrutable heart of China expands to the self-same joke +that convulses a duchess in London and a financier in New York.<a name="page_082" id="page_082"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You more better read the paper.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Where's Missy?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I think she in her room. You wanchee?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> No.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I think she come by and by.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Looking at his watch.</i>] Mr. Anderson ought to be back from the +office soon. [<i>There is a loud knocking at the door.</i>] Hulloa, who's +that?</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>A</i> <span class="smcap">Servant</span> <i>comes out of the house and going to the gateway +withdraws the bolt</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I think doctor come see you, maybe.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Oh no, he's not coming to-day. He said he'd look in to-morrow +before I started.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>gets up and looks at the doorway of which now the</i> +<span class="smcap">Servant</span> <i>has opened one side</i>. <span class="smcap">Harold Knox</span> <i>and his sister</i> <span class="smcap">Sylvia</span> +<i>are seen</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> May we come in?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Good man. Of course.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>They come towards</i> <span class="smcap">George</span>. <span class="smcap">Sylvia</span> <i>is a very pretty, simple, +healthy, and attractive girl. She is dressed in a light summer +frock. There is in her gait and manner something so spring-like and +fresh that it is a pleasure to look at her</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> I've brought my young sister along with me. [<i>As</i> <span class="smcap">George</span> <i>rises to +his feet</i>.] Don't get up. You needn't put on any frills for a chit like +that.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Nonsense. I'm perfectly well. [<i>Shaking hands with</i> <span class="smcap">Sylvia</span>.] How +d'you do? My name is Conway.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap"> Knox.</span> I only omitted to inform her of that fact because she already +knew it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> Strangely enough that happens to be true. But I wish you'd lie +down again.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I'm sick of lying down. The doctor says I'm perfectly all right. +I'm going home to-morrow.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap"> Knox.</span> [<i>Catching sight of the</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span>.] Hulloa, sweetheart, I didn't see +you. Sylvia, I want you to know the only woman I've ever loved.<a name="page_083" id="page_083"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Smiling.</i>] This is Mrs. Anderson's amah.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> [<i>With a little friendly nod.</i>] How do you do?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> [<i>All in a breath.</i>] Velly well, thank you. How do you do? Velly +well, thank you ... You Mr. Knox sister?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> Yes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You missionary lady?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> No.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> What for you come China then?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> I came to see my brother.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> How old are you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Be truthful, Sylvia.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> I'm twenty-two.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> How many children you got?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> I'm not married.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> What for you no married if you twenty-two?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> It does need an explanation, doesn't it? The truth is that +nobody's asked me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> What a lie!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You come China catchee husband?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> Certainly not.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You Christian?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> Not a very good one, I'm afraid.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Who baptized you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> Well, you know, it's an awfully long time ago. I forget.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> She's like me, amah, she's a Presbyterian.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You go to hell then. Only Seventh Day Adventists no go to hell.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> It'll be rather crowded then, I'm afraid.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You only baptized once?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> So far as I know.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I baptized one, two, three, four, five times. I velly Christian +woman.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> I say, old man, I don't want to dash your fond hopes, but in point +of fact we didn't come here to see you.<a name="page_084" id="page_084"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Why not? Surely Miss Knox must want to see the principal sights +of Peking.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> The man is not a raving lunatic, Sylvia. His only delusion is that +he's a humourist ... Sylvia thought she'd like to call on Mrs. Harry.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I'm sure Daisy will be very glad. Amah, go and tell Missy that +there's a lady.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Can do.</p> + +<p>[<i>Exit.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> I say, have they caught any of those blighters who tried to kill +you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> No, not a chance. They weren't after me, you know; they were +after Harry.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Is there anyone who has a grudge against him?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I don't think so. He doesn't seem very keen on discussing the +incident.</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Here she is. I've brought my sister to see you, Mrs. Harry.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Shaking hands.</i>] How do you do?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> What a wonderful place you live in!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> It's rather attractive, isn't it? You must see the temple before +you go.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> I'd love to.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Do sit down. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Knox</span>.] What do you think of my patient?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> I think he's a fraud. I never saw anyone look so robust.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Delighted.</i>] He's made a wonderful recovery.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Thanks to you, Daisy. You can't think how she nursed me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> It was rather a narrow escape, wasn't it?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> For two days we thought he might die at any minute. It was—it +was rather dreadful.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> And do you know, all that time she never left me a minute. [<i>To</i> +<span class="smcap">Daisy</span>.] I don't know how I can ever thank you.<a name="page_085" id="page_085"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, well, Harry had his work. I didn't think he ought to be +robbed of his night's rest for a worthless creature like you, and I +hated the idea of a paid nurse looking after you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> You must have been worn out at the end of it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> No, I'm as strong as a horse. And it was such a relief to me when +the doctor said he was out of danger, I forgot I was tired.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> I don't know why you bothered about him. There are such a lot of +fellows who want his job and they all know they could do it much better +than he can.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Everyone's been so extraordinarily good to me. I had no idea +there was so much kindness in the world.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Sylvia</span>, <i>very pleasantly</i>.] Will you come and look at the +temple now while they're bringing tea?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> Yes, I'd like to very much.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I think you'll enjoy your tea more if you feel you've done the +sight.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> It's all so new to me. Everything interests me. I've fallen +passionately in love with Peking.</p> + +<p>[<i>They wander off, talking gaily.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Harold, you're a very nice boy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> That's what the girls tell me. But I don't know why you should.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I think it was rather sporting of you to bring your sister to +see Daisy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> I don't deserve any credit for that. She insisted on coming.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Oh?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> She met Harry at the club and took rather a fancy to him. When I +told her Daisy was a half-caste and people didn't bother much about her +she got right up on her hind legs. I told her she'd only just come out +to China and didn't know what she was talking about and then she gave me +what she called a bit of her mind. I was obliged to remark that if that +was a bit I didn't much care about knowing the rest.<a name="page_086" id="page_086"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> It sounds as though you'd had a little tiff.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> She said she had no patience with the airs people gave themselves +in the East. A Eurasian was just as good as anybody else. And when I +happened to say I was coming here to-day to see how you were she said +she'd come too.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> It's very kind of her. Daisy leads a dreadfully lonely life. It +would mean so much to her if she knew one or two white women. If they +take to one another, you won't try to crab it, will you? I fancy Daisy +wants a friend rather badly.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> I shouldn't like it very much, you know. Would you much care for +your sister to be very pally with a half-caste?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Daisy is one in a thousand. You can't think what she's done for +me during my illness. My mother couldn't have taken more care of me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> They're often very good-hearted. But as a matter of fact nothing I +can say will have the least effect on Sylvia. Girls have changed a lot +since the war. If she wants to do a thing and she thinks it right, +she'll do it. And if I try to interfere she's quite capable of telling +me to go to the devil.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> She seems to be a young woman of some character.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Perhaps because she's had rather a rough time. The fellow she was +engaged to was killed in the war and she was awfully cut up. She drove +an ambulance for the last two years and then she went up to Girton. +After that my father thought she'd better come out here for a bit.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> She ought to like it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> If she doesn't put up people's backs too much. She can't stand +anything like injustice or cruelty. If she thinks people are unkind to +Daisy or sniffy about her, she'll stick to her like a leech. However, I +daresay she'll get married.<a name="page_087" id="page_087"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Smiling.</i>] That'll learn her.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Why don't you marry her? It's about time you settled down.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>With a chuckle.</i>] You fool.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Why? You're by way of being rather eligible, aren't you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I don't know why you want to get rid of her. She seems a very +nice sister.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Of course I love having her with me, but she does cramp my style a +bit. And she ought to marry. She'd make you a first-rate wife.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Much too good for the likes of me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Of course she's a bit independent, but one has to put up with that +in girls nowadays. And she's as good as gold.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> One can see that at a mile, my son.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> I say, who was Rathbone, Daisy's first husband, do you know?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>His face a blank.</i>] Harry told me he was an American. He said +he was in business in the F. M. S.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> That's what Harry told me. I met a fellow the other day who lives +in Singapore who told me he'd never heard of Rathbone.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Chaffing him.</i>] Perhaps he didn't move in the exalted circles +that a friend of yours would naturally move in.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> I suppose there was a Mr. Rathbone?</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>There is a distant sound in the street of Chinese instruments +being played.</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Hulloa, there's the procession coming along.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> What procession?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> It's a Manchu wedding. The amah was talking about it this +morning.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> I must call Sylvia. She'd love to see it. Sylvia.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Sylvia</span> <i>come out of the house just as he calls</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> Don't shout, Harold.<a name="page_088" id="page_088"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Come along and have your education improved. A Manchu wedding is +just going to pass by....</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> Oh, good, let's go out into the street!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You can see it just as well from here. I'll have the doors +opened. Boy, open the gate.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Yes, that's the ticket. We shall see it better from here.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<span class="smcap">Wu</span> <i>during the last few speeches has appeared with the tea, which +he sets down on the table. On receiving</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy's</span> <i>order he goes to +the doorway and draws the bolt. He pulls back one heavy door while</i> +<span class="smcap">Knox</span> <i>pulls back the other. The empty street is seen. The music +grows louder. Now the procession comes, gay, brilliant, and +barbaric against the white wall of the street; first men on +horseback, then Buddhist monks in gray, with their shaven heads; +then the band, playing wild, discordant music; after them passes a +long string of retainers in red, with strange shaped hats; then +come retainers bearing in open palanquins great masses of cardboard +fruits and all manner of foodstuffs, silver vessels and gold; these +are followed by two or three youths on horseback, gorgeously +dressed, and these again by the palanquin, carved and richly +painted and gilt, of the bride. Then pass more priests and another +band and finally a last string of retainers in red. When the last +one has disappeared a beggar shows himself at the open doorway. He +is excessively thin, and he has a bush of long, bristly hair; he is +clothed in pale rags, torn and patched; his legs and feet are bare. +He puts out a bony hand and breaks into a long, high-pitched +whine</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Oh, Lord, get out!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, no, please, Harold, give him a copper or two.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Daisy never lets a beggar go away without something.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> It's not because I'm charitable. I'm afraid they'll bring me bad +luck.<a name="page_089" id="page_089"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> [<i>Taking a coin from his pocket.</i>] Here you are, Clarence. Now +buzz off.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>The beggar takes his dole and saunters away.</i> <span class="smcap">Wu</span> <i>closes the +doors</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> [<i>Enthusiastically.</i>] I <i>am</i> glad I saw that.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You'll get very tired of that sort of thing before you've been +here long. Now let's have tea.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> Oh, I don't think we'll stay, thank you very much. We have +another call to make.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> How tiresome of you. Harry ought to be back in a few minutes. +He'll be disappointed not to have seen you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> I promised to go and see Mrs. Stopfort. Do you know her?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I know who you mean.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> I think people are being absolutely beastly to her. It simply +makes my blood boil.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, how?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> Well, you know that her husband's a drunken brute who's treated +her abominably for years. At last she fell in love with a man and now +her husband is going to divorce her. It's monstrous that he should be +able to.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Are the ladies of Peking giving her the cold shoulder?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> The cold <i>shoulder</i> hardly describes it. The frozen silverside.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I think she's well rid of Reggie Stopfort at any price, but I'm +sorry the other party is André Leroux.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> Why? She introduced me to him. I thought he was a very nice +fellow.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Well, you see, if he'd been English or American, he would have +married her as a matter of course.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> So I should hope.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Because she was divorced on his account, you mean?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Yes. But the French haven't our feeling on<a name="page_090" id="page_090"></a> that matter. I'm not +quite sure if André will be willing to marry her.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> Oh, that would be dreadful! Under those circumstances the man +must marry the woman. He simply must.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Of course.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knox.</span> Come along, Sylvia. We won't discuss women's rights now.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> [<i>Giving</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>her hand very cordially.</i>] And if there's +anything I hate it's people who say they're going and then don't go. +Good-bye, Mrs. Anderson.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> It's been very nice to see you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> I do hope you'll come and see me soon. I'm so very much alone +you'd be doing me a charity if you'd look me up. We might do the curio +shops together.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> That would be great fun.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> Good-bye, Mr. Conway. I'm glad to see you so well.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Thank you very much, good-bye.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<span class="smcap">Knox</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Sylvia</span> <i>go out.</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>has walked with them towards +the doorway and now returns to</i> <span class="smcap">George</span>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> What a very nice girl, Daisy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> She seems to make a specialty of speckled peaches. First me and +then Mrs. Stopfort.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I was hoping you'd like her.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> It's hardly probable. She's everything that I'm not. She has +everything that I haven't. No, I don't like her. But I'd give anything +in the world to be her.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Smiling.</i>] I don't think you need envy her.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Don't you think she's pretty?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Yes, very. But you're so much more than pretty. I expect you +have more brains in your little finger than she has in her whole body.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Gravely.</i>] She has something that I haven't got, George, and +I'd give my soul to have.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Embarrassed.</i>] I don't know what you<a name="page_091" id="page_091"></a> mean. [<i>Changing the +conversation abruptly.</i>] Daisy, now that I'm going away....</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Interrupting.</i>] Are you really going to-morrow?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Breezily.</i>] I'm quite well. I'm ashamed to have stayed so +long.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I don't look forward very much to the long, empty days when +you're no longer here.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Seriously.</i>] I must go, Daisy. I really must.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>After a moment's pause.</i>] What were you going to say to me? +Don't thank me for anything I may have done. It's given me a happiness I +never knew before.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Except for you I should have died. And when I think of the past +I am ashamed.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What does the past matter? The past is dead and gone.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> And I'm ashamed when I think how patient you were when I was +irritable, how kind and thoughtful. I hardly knew I wanted a thing +before you gave it to me. Sometimes when I felt I couldn't breathe, the +tenderness of your hand on my forehead—oh, it was like a dip in a +highland stream on a summer day. I think I never knew that there was in +you the most precious thing that anyone can have, goodness. Oh, Daisy, +it makes me feel so humble.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Goodness? [<i>With the shadow of a laugh.</i>] Oh, George.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> It's because Harry is better and simpler than I am that he was +able to see it in you. He felt it in you always and he was right.</p> + +<p>[<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Sharply.</i>] What d'you want?</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>crosses from one to the other and a thin smile crosses +her eyes</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Master telephone, Daisy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Why didn't you take the message?</p> + +<p>[<i>She is about to go into the house.</i><a name="page_092" id="page_092"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> He have go now. He say very much hurry. I say no can findee you. I +think you go out.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Why did you say that?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I think more better, maybe.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Smiling.</i>] That's right, amah. Never tell the truth when a lie +will do as well.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Well, what was the message?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Master say he must to go Tientsin. Very important business. No +come back to-night. Come back first train to-morrow.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Very well. Tell the boy that we shall be only two to dinner.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I go talkee he.</p> + +<p>[<i>Exit.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Urbanely.</i>] I say, I don't want to be an awful trouble to you. +I think I'd better go back to my own place to-night.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Looking at him.</i>] Why should you do that?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I was going to-morrow anyway.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Do you think my reputation is such a sensitive flower?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Lightly.</i>] Of course not. But people aren't very charitable. +It seems rather funny I should stay here when Harry's away.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What do you suppose I care if people gossip?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I care for you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>With a smile, almost archly.</i>] It's not very flattering to me +that you should insist on going the moment Harry does. Do I bore you so +much as all that?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>With a chuckle.</i>] How can you talk such nonsense? I haven't +wanted to get well too quickly. I've so enjoyed sitting quietly here +while you read or sewed. I've got so much in the habit of seeing you +about me that if I don't go at once I shall never be able to bring +myself to go at all.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Since that horrible accident I've been rather<a name="page_093" id="page_093"></a> nervous at the +thought of sleeping here by myself. I'm terrified at the thought of +being left alone to-night.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Come in with me, then. The Knoxes will be delighted to put you +up for the night.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>With a sudden change of manner.</i>] I don't want you to go, +George. I want you to stay.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>As serious as she is.</i>] Daisy, don't be too hard on me. You +don't know. You don't know. [<i>With an effort he regains his self-control +and returns to his easy, chaffing tone.</i>] Don't forget it's not only a +wound in the lung that I've been suffering from. While you and the +doctor between you have been patching that up, I've been busy sticking +together the pieces of a broken heart. It's nicely set now, no one could +tell that there'd ever been anything wrong with it, but I don't think it +would be very wise to give it a sudden jolt or jerk.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>In a low quivering voice.</i>] Why do you say things like that? +What is the good of making pretences?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Determined to keep the note of lightness.</i>] It was very silly +of me to bother you with my little troubles. It was very hot. I was +overworked and nervous at the time or I shouldn't have made so much of +it. I'm sure that you'll be as pleased as I am to know that I'm making a +very good recovery, thank you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>As though asking a casual question.</i>] You don't care for me any +more?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I have the greatest affection for you. I admire you and of +course I'm grateful to you. But if I thought I was in love with you I +was mistaken.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Do you know why I wouldn't have a professional nurse and when you +were unconscious for two days refused to leave you for a minute? Do you +know why, afterwards, at night when you grew delirious I wouldn't let +Harry watch you? I said it would interfere with his work. I dared not +leave you for a single moment. And it was your secret and mine. I +wouldn't let anybody in<a name="page_094" id="page_094"></a> the world share it with me. Do you know what +you said in your delirium?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Disturbed.</i>] I expect I talked an awful lot of rot. People +always do, I believe.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Passionately.</i>] You used to call me, "Daisy, Daisy," as though +your heart was breaking. And when I leaned over you and said: "I'm +here," you would take my face in your hands so that I could hardly +believe you weren't conscious. And you said: "I love you."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Oh, God!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> And sometimes I didn't know how to calm you. You were frantic +because you thought they were taking me away from you. "I can't bear +it," you said, "I shall die." I had to put my hands over your mouth so +that no one should hear.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I didn't know what I was saying. I wasn't myself. It was just +the madness of the fever.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> And sometimes you were so exquisitely tender. Your voice was soft +and caressing. And you called me by sweet names so that the tears ran +down my cheeks. You thought you held me in your arms and you pressed me +to your heart. You were happy then; you were so happy that I was afraid +you'd die of it. I know what love is and you love me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> For God's sake, stop. Why do you torture me?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> And then you were madly jealous. You hated Harry. I think you +could have killed him.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> That's not true. That's infamous. Never. Never.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, you can say that with your lips! Sometimes you thought he put +his arms round me and kissed me and you sobbed aloud. Oh, it was so +painful. I forgot that you were unconscious and I took your hands and +said: "He's not here. You and I are alone, alone, alone." And sometimes +I think you understood. You fell back. And a look of peace came on your +face as if you were in heaven<a name="page_095" id="page_095"></a> and you said—do you know what you said? +You said: "Beloved, beloved, beloved."</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>Her voice breaks and the tears course down her cheeks.</i> <span class="smcap">George</span> +<i>is shattered by what she has told him</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I suppose there are few of us that wouldn't turn away from +ourselves in horror if the innermost thoughts of our heart, the thoughts +we're only conscious of to hate, were laid bare. But that shameful thing +that showed itself in me isn't me. I disown it....</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I thought you had more courage. I thought you had more sense. Do +you call that you, a few conventional prejudices? The real you is the +love that consumes you more hotly than ever the fever did. The only you +is the you that loves me. The rest is only frills. It's a domino that +you put on at a masked ball.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> You don't know what you say. Frills? It's honour, and duty, and +decency. It's everything that makes it possible for me to cling to the +shadow of my self-respect.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, all that means nothing. You fool. You might as well try with +your bare hands to stop the flow of the Yangtze.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> If I perish I perish. Oh, of course I love you. All night I'm +tortured with love and tortured with jealousy, but the day does come at +last and then I can get hold of myself again. My love is some horrible +thing gnawing at my heart-strings. I hate it and despise it. But I can +fight it, fight it all the time. Oh, I've been here too long. I ought to +have got back to work long ago. Work is my only chance. Daisy, I beseech +you to let me go.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> How can I let you go? I love you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Thunderstruck.</i>] You? [<i>Impatiently, with a shrug of the +shoulders.</i>] Oh, you're talking nonsense.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Why do you suppose I've said all these things? Do you think a +woman cares twopence for a man's love when she doesn't love him?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Oh, it's impossible. You don't know what<a name="page_096" id="page_096"></a> you're saying. I know +how good and kind you are. You've been touched by my love. You mistake +pity for love.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I'm not good and I'm not kind. There's no room in my soul for +pity. In my soul there's only a raging hunger. If I know what you feel +it's because I feel it too. I love you, I love you, I love you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> And Harry?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What do I care about Harry? I hate him because he's stood between +me and you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> He is your husband. He is my friend.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> He doesn't exist. I've loved you always from the first day I saw +you. The others were nothing to me, Lee Tai and Harry and the rest. I've +loved you always. I've never loved anyone but you. All these years I've +kept the letters you wrote to me. I've read them till I know every word +by heart. They're all blurred and smudged with the tears I've wept over +them. They were all I had. Do you think I'm going to let you go now? All +my pain, all my anguish, are nothing any more. I love you and you love +me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Oh, don't, don't!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You can't leave me now. If you leave me I shall kill myself.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I must go away. I must never see you again. Whatever happens we +must never meet.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Exasperated and impatient.</i>] That's impossible. What will you +say to Harry?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> If need be I'll tell him the truth.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What difference will that make? Will you love me any the less? +Yes, tell him. Tell him that I love you and you only and that I belong +to you and to you only.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Oh, Daisy, for God's sake try and control yourself. We must do +our duty, we must, we must.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I know no duty. I only know love. There's no room in my soul for +anything else. You say that love is like a wild beast gnawing at your +entrails. My love is<a name="page_097" id="page_097"></a> a liberator. It's freed me from a hateful past. +It's freed me from Harry. There's nothing in the world now but you and +me and the love that joins us. I want you, I want you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Don't, don't! Oh, this is madness! There's only one thing to be +done. God, give me strength. Daisy, you know I love you. I love you with +all my heart and soul. But it's good-bye. I'll never see you again. +Never. Never. So help me God.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> How can you be so cruel? You're heartless. I've wanted you all +these years. I've hungered for you. You don't know what my humiliation +has been. Pity me because I loved you. If you leave me now I shall die. +You open the doors of heaven to me and then you slam them in my face. +Haven't you made me unhappy enough? You'd have done better to kill me +ten years ago. You trampled me in the mud and then you left me. Oh, what +shall I do? [<i>She sinks down to the ground, weeping as though her heart +would break.</i> <span class="smcap">George</span> <i>looks at her for a minute, his face distorted with +agony; he clenches his hands in the violence of his effort to control +himself. He takes his hat and walks slowly towards the gate. He +withdraws the bolt that holds it. When</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>hears the sound of this +she starts to her feet and staggers towards him</i>.] George. No, no. Not +yet.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>She staggers and with a cry falls headlong. She has fainted.</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Rushing towards her.</i>] Daisy. Daisy. [<i>He kneels down and +takes her head in his hands. He is fearfully agitated.</i>] Oh, my darling, +what is it? Oh, my God! Daisy! Speak to me. [<i>Calling.</i>] Amah, amah! +[<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>slowly opens her eyes</i>.] Oh, my beloved! I thought you were +dead.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Lift me up.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> You can't stand.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>He raises her to her feet so that when she is erect she is in his +arms. She puts her arms round his neck.</i></p></div> + +<p><a name="page_098" id="page_098"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Don't leave me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> My precious. My beloved.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>She turns her face to him, offering her lips, and he bends his +head and kisses her. She closes her eyes in ecstasy.</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Take me in. I feel so ill.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I'll carry you.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>He lifts her up and carries her into the house. From the opposite +side the</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>appears. She goes to the gateway and slips the bolt +forward into position. Then she comes to the tea-table, sits down +and takes a scone</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Hi, hi.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>She bites the scone and chews placidly. On her face is a smirk of +irony.</i></p></div> + +<p class="c">END OF SCENE V<a name="page_099" id="page_099"></a></p> + +<h3><a name="SCENE_VI" id="SCENE_VI"></a>SCENE VI</h3> + +<p><a name="page_100" id="page_100"></a></p> + +<p><a name="page_101" id="page_101"></a></p> + +<p><i>A small room in a Chinese house in Peking.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang"><i>The walls are whitewashed, but the whitewash is not a little +stained. Three or four scrolls hang on them, written over in large +characters with inscriptions. On the floor is matting. The only +furniture consists of a table, with a couple of chairs, a wooden +pallet covered with matting, with cushions at one end of it, and a +Korean chest heavily ornamented with brass. At the back are two +windows, elaborately latticed and covered with rice paper, and a +lightly carved door.</i></p> + +<p class="hang"><span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>is seated in one of the chairs. She has taken her pocket +mirror out of her bag and is looking at herself. She is gay and +happy. The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>comes in. She carries a long-necked vase in which +are a couple of carnations</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I bring you flowers make room look pletty.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, you nice old thing! Put them on the table.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You look at yourself in looking-glass?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I'm looking young. It suits me to be happy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You very pletty girl. I very pletty girl long time ago. You look +alla same me some day.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Amused.</i>] Heaven forbid.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You velly good temper to-day, Daisy. You glad because George come.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I didn't see him yesterday.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> He keep you waiting.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> The wretch. He always keeps me waiting. But what do I care as +long as he comes? We shall have three hours. Perhaps he'll dine here. If +he says he can,<a name="page_102" id="page_102"></a> give him what he likes to eat. No one can make such +delicious things as you can if you want to.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You try flatter me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I don't. You know very well you're the best cook in China.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> [<i>Tickled.</i>] Oh, Daisy! I know you more better than you think.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You're a wicked old woman. [<i>She gives her a kiss on both +cheeks.</i>] What are they making such a row about next door?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Coolie, he got killed this morning. He have two small children. +Their mother, she die long time ago.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> How dreadful! Poor little things.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You like see them. They here.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>She goes to the door and beckons. A little, old, shabby Chinaman +comes in with two tiny children, a boy and a girl, one holding on +to each hand. They are very solemn and shy and silent.</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, what lambs!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> They no got money. This old man he say he take them and he bring +them up. But he only coolie. He no got much money himself.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Is he related to them?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> No, him just velly good man. He no can do velly much. He just do +what he can. The neighbours, they help little.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> But I'll help too. Have you got any money on you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I got two, three dollars.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What's the good of that? Let him have this.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>She has a chain of gold beads round her neck. She takes it off +and puts it in the old man's hands.</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> That chain very ispensive, Daisy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What do I care? Let him sell it for what it'll fetch. It'll bring +me luck. [<i>To the old man.</i>] You sabe?</p> + +<p>[<i>He nods, smiling.</i><a name="page_103" id="page_103"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I think he understand all right.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Looking at the children.</i>] Aren't they sweet? And so solemn. +[<i>To the</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span>.] You go chop-chop to the toy shop opposite and buy them +some toys.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Can do.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>She goes out.</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>takes the children and sets them up on the +table</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Charmingly.</i>] Now you come and talk to me. Sit very still now +or you'll fall off. [<i>To the little boy.</i>] I wonder how old you are. +[<i>To the old man.</i>] Wu? Liu?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Old Man.</span> Liu.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>To the little boy.</i>] Six years old. Good gracious, you're quite +a man. If I had a little boy he'd be older than you now. If I had a +little boy I'd dress him in such smart things. And I'd bath him myself. +I wouldn't let any horrid old amah bath him. And I wouldn't stuff him up +with sweets like the Chinese do; I'd give him one piece of chocolate +when he was a good boy. Gracious me, I've got some chocolates here. Wait +there. Sit quite still. [<i>She goes over to the shelf on which is a bag +of chocolates.</i>] There's one for you and one for you and (<i>to the old +man</i>) one for you. And here's one for me.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>The children and the Chinaman eat the chocolates solemnly. The +<span class="smcap">Amah</span> returns with a doll and a child's Peking cart</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Have catchee toys.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Look what kind old amah has brought you. [<i>She lifts the children +off the table and gives the doll to the little girl and the cart to the +boy.</i>] Here's a beautiful doll for you and here's a real cart for you. +[<i>She sits down on the floor.</i>] Look, the wheels go round and +everything.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Have got more presents.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>She takes out of her sleeve little bladders with mouthpiece +attached so that they can be blown up.</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What on earth is this? Oh, I love them! We must all have one. +[<i>She distributes them and they all blow<a name="page_104" id="page_104"></a> them up. There it the sound of +scratching at the door</i>.] Who's that, I wonder?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> If you say come in, perhaps you see.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Open the door, you old silly. [<i>She begins to blow up the balloon +again. The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>goes to the door and opens it</i>. <span class="smcap">Lee Tai</span> <i>steps in</i>.] +Lee Tai. Send these away. [<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>makes a sign to the old Chinaman, +he gives each child a hand and with their presents they go out. The</i> +<span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>slips out after them</i>.] I thought you were dead.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> I'm very much alive, thank you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Ah, well, we'll hope for the best.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> I trust you're not displeased to see me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Gaily.</i>] If you'd come yesterday I should certainly have +smacked your face, but to-day I'm in such a good humour that even the +sight of you is tolerable.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> You weren't here yesterday.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>comes in carrying on a little wooden tray, two Chinese +bowls and a tea-pot</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> My dear Mamma seems to think you've come to pay me a visit. You +mustn't let me keep you too long.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> You are expecting someone? I know.</p> + +<p>[<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>goes out</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Chaffing him.</i>] I always said you had a brain.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> No better a one than yours, Daisy. It was a clever trick when +you got me to try to put your husband out of the way so that you should +be free for George Conway.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> It was nothing to do with me. I told you I'd have nothing to do +with it. You made a hash of it. One can forgive the good for being +stupid, but when rascals are fools there's no excuse.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> The best laid schemes of mice and men, as my favourite poet +Robert Burns so elegantly puts it, gang aft agley.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I don't care a damn about your favourite poet. What have you come +here for to-day?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> As it turns out I do not see that there is any<a name="page_105" id="page_105"></a> cause for +regret that George Conway got the knife thrust that was intended for +your husband. I wish it had gone a little deeper.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Coolly.</i>] As it turns out you only did me a service. But still +you haven't told me to what I owe the honour of your visit.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> Civility. I like to be on friendly terms with my tenants.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Surprised.</i>] Your what?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> [<i>Urbanely.</i>] This happens to be my house. When I discovered +that your honourable mother had taken the rooms in this courtyard so +that you might have a place where George Conway and you could safely +meet I thought I would buy the whole house.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I hope it was a good investment.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> Otherwise perhaps I should have hesitated. It was clever of you +to find so convenient a place. With a curio shop in front into which +anyone can be seen going without remark and an ill-lit passage leading +to this court, it is perfect.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What is the idea?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> [<i>With a twinkle in his eyes.</i>] Are you a little frightened?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Not a bit. What can you do? You can tell Harry. Tell him.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> [<i>Affably.</i>] George Conway would be ruined.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>With a shrug.</i>] He'd lose his job. Perhaps you would give him +another. You're mixed up in so many concerns you could surely find use +for a white man who speaks Chinese as well as George does.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> I find even your shamelessness attractive.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I'm profoundly grateful for the compliment.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> But do not fear. I shall do nothing. I bought this house +because I like you to know that always, always you are in my hand. Where +you go, I go. Where you are, I am. Sometimes you do not see me, but +nevertheless I am close. I do nothing. I am content to wait.<a name="page_106" id="page_106"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Your time is your own. I have no objection to your wasting it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> One day, and I think that day is not very far distant, you will +come to me. I was the first and I shall be the last. If you like I will +marry you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>With a smile.</i>] I thought you had two, if not three, wives +already. I fancy that number four would have rather a thin time.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> My wife can be divorced. I am willing to marry you before the +British Consul. We will go to Penang. I have a house there. You shall +have motor cars.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> It's astonishing how easy it is to resist temptations that don't +tempt you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> Sneer. What do I care? I wait.... What have you to do with +white men? You are not a white woman. What power has this blood of your +father's when it is mingled with the tumultuous stream which you have +inherited through your mother from innumerable generations? Our race is +very pure and very strong. Strange nations have overrun us, but in a +little while we have absorbed them so that no trace of a foreign people +is left in us. China is like the Yangtze, which is fed by five hundred +streams and yet remains unchanged, the river of golden sand, majestic, +turbulent, indifferent, and everlasting. What power have you to swim +against that mighty current? You can wear European clothes and eat +European food, but in your heart you are a Chinawoman. Are your passions +the weak and vacillating passions of the white man? There is in your +heart a simplicity which the white man can never fathom and a +deviousness which he can never understand. Your soul is like a rice +patch cleared in the middle of the jungle. All around the jungle hovers, +watchful and jealous, and it is only by ceaseless labour that you can +prevent its inroads. One day your labour will be vain and the jungle +will take back its own. China is closing in on you.<a name="page_107" id="page_107"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> My poor Lee Tai, you're talking perfect nonsense.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> You're restless and unhappy and dissatisfied because you're +struggling against instincts which were implanted in your breast when +the white man was a hungry, naked savage. One day you will surrender. +You will cast off the white woman like an outworn garment. You will come +back to China as a tired child comes back to his mother. And in the +immemorial usages of our great race you will find peace.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>There is a moment's silence.</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>passes her hand over her +forehead. Against her will she is strangely impressed by what</i> <span class="smcap">Lee +Tai</span> <i>has said. She gives a little shudder and recovers herself</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> George Conway loves me, and I— Oh!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> The white man's love lasts no longer than a summer day. It is a +red, red rose. Now it flaunts its scented beauty proudly in the sun and +to-morrow its petals, wrinkled and stinking, lie scattered on the +ground.</p> + +<p>[<i>There is a sound of a footstep in the courtyard outside.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Here he is. Go quickly.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<span class="smcap">George</span> <i>opens the door and stops as he catches sight of</i> <span class="smcap">Lee Tai</span>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Hulloa, who's this?</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<span class="smcap">Lee Tai</span> <i>steps forward, smiling and obsequious</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> I am the owner of this house. The amah complained that the roof +leaked and I came to see for myself.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Frowning.</i>] It's of no consequence. Please don't bother about +it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> I wish I needn't. The amah has a virulent and active tongue—I +am afraid she will give me no peace till I have satisfied her outrageous +demands.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> You speak extraordinarily good English.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> I am a graduate of the University of Edinburgh.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Robert Burns is his favourite poet.<a name="page_108" id="page_108"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> I spent a year at Oxford and another at Harvard. I can express +myself in English not without fluency.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Let me compliment you on your good sense in retaining your +national costume. I think it a pity that the returned students should +insist on wearing ugly tweed suits and billycock hats.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> I spent eight years abroad. I brought back with me no more +admiration for Western dress than for Western civilization.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> That is very interesting.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> You are pleased to be sarcastic.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> And you, I think, are somewhat supercilious. Believe me, the +time has passed when the mandarins of your country, in their +impenetrable self-conceit, could put up a barrier against the advance of +civilization. If you have any love for China you must see that her only +chance to take her rightful place in the world is to accept honestly and +sincerely the teaching of the West.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> And if in our hearts we despise and detest what you have to +teach us? For what reason are you so confident that you are so superior +to us that it behooves us to sit humbly at your feet? Have you excelled +us in arts or letters? Have our thinkers been less profound than yours? +Has our civilization been less elaborate, less complicated, less refined +than yours? Why, when you lived in caves and clothed yourselves with +skins we were a cultured people. Do you know that we tried an experiment +which is unique in the world?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Good-naturedly.</i>] What experiment is that?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> We sought to rule this great people not by force, but by +wisdom. And for centuries we succeeded. Then why does the white man +despise the yellow? Shall I tell you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Do.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> [<i>With a smiling contempt.</i>] Because he has invented the +machine-gun. That is your superiority.<a name="page_109" id="page_109"></a> We are a defenceless horde and +you can blow us into eternity. [<i>With a tinge of sadness.</i>] You have +shattered the dream of our philosophers that the world could be governed +by the power of law and order.... And now you are teaching our young men +your secret. You have thrust your hideous inventions upon us. Fools. Do +you not know that we have a genius for mechanics? Do you not know that +there are in this country four hundred millions of the most practical +and industrious people in the world? Do you think it will take us long +to learn? And what will become of your superiority when the yellow man +can make as good guns as the white and fire them as straight? You have +appealed to the machine-gun and by the machine-gun shall you be judged.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>There is a pause. Suddenly</i> <span class="smcap">George</span> <i>gives</i> <span class="smcap">Lee Tai</span> <i>a +scrutinizing glance</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> What is your name?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> [<i>With a thin, amused smile.</i>] Lee Tai Cheng.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>With a frigid politeness.</i>] I'm sure you are very busy, Mr. +Lee. I won't detain you any longer.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> [<i>Still smiling.</i>] I wish you a good day.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>He bows slightly and shakes his own hands in the Chinese manner. +He goes out. He leaves behind him an impression that is at once +ironic and sinister.</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> What the devil is he doing here?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Amused.</i>] He came to make me an offer of marriage. I pointed +out to him that I was married already.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Not without irritation.</i>] How did he know you were here?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> He made it his business to find out.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Does he know that...?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Coolly.</i>] You know China better than most Englishmen. You know +that the white man can do nothing without the Chinese knowing it. But +they won't tell other white men unless—unless it's to their advantage +to do so.<a name="page_110" id="page_110"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> You told me that this house belonged to the amah.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Smiling.</i>] That was a slight exaggeration.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> You put it very mildly.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You said you wouldn't come to the temple. It meant finding some +place where we could meet or never seeing you at all.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Sombrely.</i>] We began with deceit and with deceit we've +continued.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Tenderly.</i>] There's no deceit in my love, George. After all, +our love is the only thing that matters.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>With a certain awkwardness.</i>] I'm afraid I've kept you +waiting. André Leroux came to see me just as I was leaving the Legation.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Remembering.</i>] I know. Mrs. Stopfort's young man.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> He said he knew Mrs. Stopfort's friends were rather anxious +about her future and he wanted them to know that he was going to marry +her as soon as she was free.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Of course it's the only decent thing to do, but I wasn't sure if +he'd see it. He's a very good fellow. [<i>With a smile.</i>] He spent at +least half an hour telling me how he adored Mrs. Stopfort.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Good-humouredly.</i>] Oh, you know I'm not the sort of woman to +grouse because you're a little late. I can always occupy myself by +thinking how wonderful it will be to see you. And if I get bored with +that I read your letters again.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I shouldn't have thought they were worth that.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I think I have every word you have ever written to me—those old +letters of ten years ago and the little notes you write to me now. Even +though they're only two or three lines, saying you'll come here or can't +come, they're precious to me.<a name="page_111" id="page_111"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> But do you keep them here?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Yes, they're safe here. They're locked up in that box. Only amah +has the key of this room ... George.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Yes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Will you do something for me?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> If I can.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Will you dine here to-night? Amah will get us a lovely little +dinner.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Oh, my dear, I can't! I've got an official dinner that I can't +possibly get out of.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, how rotten!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> But I thought Harry was coming back this morning. He's been gone +a week already.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I had a letter saying he had to go on to Kalgan. But don't say +anything about it. He told me I was to keep it a secret.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> He must hate having to be away so much as he's been lately. The +death of that man Gregson has upset things rather.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Smiling.</i>] I wish I could thank Gregson for the good turn he +did <i>us</i> by dying at the psychological moment.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Dryly.</i>] I don't suppose that was his intention.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Except for that Harry would have insisted on going to Chung-king. +Now there's no possibility of that for at least a year.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I suppose not.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> We've got a year before us, George, a whole year. And in a year +anything can happen.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Gravely.</i>] Do you never have any feeling that we've behaved +rottenly to Harry?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I? I've been happy for the first time in my life. At last I've +known peace and rest. Oh, George, I'm so grateful for all you've given +me! In these three months you've changed the whole world for me. I +thought I<a name="page_112" id="page_112"></a> couldn't love you more than I did. I think every day my love +grows more consuming.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>With a sigh.</i>] I've never known a single moment's happiness.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> That's not true. When I've held you in my arms I've looked into +your eyes and I've seen.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Oh, I know. There've been moments of madness in which I forgot +everything but that I loved you. I'm a low rotten cad. No one could +despise me more than I despise myself. I've loved you so that there was +room for nothing else in my soul. Waking and sleeping you've obsessed +me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> That's how I want you to love me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> And I've hated myself for loving you. I've hated you for making +me love you. I've struggled with all my might and a hundred times I +thought I'd conquered myself and then the touch of your hand, the +softness of your lips—I was like a bird in a cage, I beat myself +against the bars and all the time the door was open and I hadn't the +will to fly out.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Tenderly.</i>] Oh, darling, why do you make yourself unhappy when +happiness lies in the hollow of your hand?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Have you never regretted anything?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Never.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> You're stronger than I am. I'm as weak as dishwater. It's funny +that it should have taken me all these years to find it out. I was weak +from the beginning. But I was weakest of all that day. I was distracted, +I thought you were dying, I forgot everything except that I loved you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>With passion.</i>] Oh, my sweetheart! Don't you remember how, late +in the night, we went outside the temple and looked at the moonlight on +the walls of the Forbidden City? You had no regrets then.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Going on with his own thoughts.</i>] And afterwards your tears, +your happiness, the dread of giving you<a name="page_113" id="page_113"></a> pain and the hot love that +burnt me—I was in the toils then. I too knew a happiness that I had +never known before. On one side was honesty and duty and everything that +makes a man respect himself—and on the other was love. I thought you'd +be going away in two or three weeks and that would be the end of it. Oh, +it was no excuse—there are no excuses for me, I can never look Harry in +the face again, but though my heart was breaking at the thought, I—I +knew that in a few days I should see you for the last time.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Scornfully.</i>] Do you think I'd have gone then?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> And then came that sudden, unexpected, disastrous change in all +Harry's plans. And this house and all the sordid horror of an intrigue. +And then there was nothing to do but face the fact that I was a cur. I +wouldn't wish my worst enemy the torture that I've undergone.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Full of love and pity.</i>] Oh, my darling, you know I'd do +anything in the world to give you happiness!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Sombrely looking away from her.</i>] Daisy, I think you can never +give me happiness, but you can help me, not to make amends because +that's impossible, but to ... [<i>Impulsively, looking at her now.</i>] Oh, +Daisy, do you really love me?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> With all my heart. With all my soul.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Then help me. Let us finish.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Quickly.</i>] What do you mean?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I don't want to seem a prig. I don't want to preach. Heaven +knows, I've never pretended to be a saint. But what we've done is wrong. +You must see that as plainly as I do.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Is it wrong to love? How can I help it?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Daisy, I want to—cease doing wrong.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You make me impatient. How can you be so weak?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I want you to believe that I love you. But I can't go on with +this deceit. I'd sooner shoot myself.<a name="page_114" id="page_114"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You couldn't say that if you loved me as I love you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Brutally.</i>] I <i>don't</i> love you any more.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>With a scornful shrug.</i>] That's not true.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Clenching his teeth.</i>] I came here to-day to tell you +that—well, that it's finished and done with. Oh, God, I don't want to +make you unhappy! But you must see we can't go on. Everything that's +decent in me revolts at the thought. I beseech you to forget me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> As if I could.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I'm going away for a bit.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Startled.</i>] You? Why?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I didn't trust myself, you see; I've lost my nerve, so I applied +for short leave. I'm sailing for Vancouver on the <i>Empress</i>. I leave +here the day after to-morrow.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Suddenly distraught.</i>] You don't mean that you're going to +leave me? I didn't pay any attention to what you said. I thought it was +just a mood. George, George, say that you don't mean that?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> It's the only thing to do, for your sake and Harry's and mine. +[<i>Taking his courage in both hands.</i>] This is good-bye, Daisy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Seizing him by the shoulders.</i>] Let me look at your eyes. +George, you're crazy. You can't go.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Drawing away.</i>] For God's sake, don't touch me. I wanted to +break it to you gently. I don't know what's happened. Everything has +gone wrong. I'm going, Daisy, and nothing in the world can move me. I +implore you to bear it bravely. [<i>She looks at him with suffering, +anxious eyes. She is stunned.</i>] I'm afraid you're going to be awfully +unhappy for a little while. But I beseech you to have courage. Soon the +pain won't be so great, and then you'll see I've done the only possible +thing.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Sullenly.</i>] How long are you going for?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Three or four months. [<i>A pause.</i>] I knew<a name="page_115" id="page_115"></a> you'd be brave, +Daisy. Do you know, I was afraid you'd cry most awfully. It tears my +heart to see you cry.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Do you think I'm a child? Do you think I can cry now?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> It's good-bye, then, Daisy.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>She does not answer. She hardly hears what he says. He hesitates +an instant wretchedly, and then goes quickly out of the room.</i> +<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>stands as if she were turned to stone. Her face is haggard. +In a minute</i> <span class="smcap">Lee Tai</span> <i>comes softly in. He stands at the door, +looking at her, then gives a little cough. She turns round and sees +him</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Fiercely.</i>] What do you want?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> I was waiting till you were disengaged.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Have you been listening?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> I have heard.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I wish I could have seen you with your ear to the keyhole. You +must have looked dignified.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>She begins to laugh, angrily, hysterically, beside herself.</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> Let me give you a cup of tea. It's quite warm still.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I should have thought you were rather old and fat to stoop so +much.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> Fortunately the windows are only covered with rice paper, so I +was saved that inconvenience.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>He hands her a cup of tea. She takes it and flings it at him. The +tea is splashed over his black robe.</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Get out of here or I'll kill you.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>He wipes his dress with a large silk pocket handkerchief.</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> You forget sometimes the manners that were taught you at that +elegant school for young ladies in England.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I suppose you've come to crow over me. Well, crow.<a name="page_116" id="page_116"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> I told you that I thought I should not have to wait very long.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Scornfully.</i>] You fool. Do you think it's finished?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> Did I not tell you that the white man's love was weak and +vacillating?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> He's going away for four months. Do you think that frightens me? +He's loved me for ten years. I've loved him for ten years. Do you think +he can forget me in four months? He'll come back.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> Not to you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Yes, yes, yes. And when he comes it'll be for good. He'll hunger +for me as he hungered before. He'll forget his scruples, his remorse, +his stupid duties, because he'll only remember me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> [<i>Very quietly.</i>] He's going to be married to Miss Sylvia Knox.</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>springs at him and seizes him by the throat</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> That's a lie. That's a lie. Take it back. You pig.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>He takes her hands and drags them away from his throat. He holds +her fast.</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> Ask your mother. She knows. The Chinese all know.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Calling.</i>] Amah, amah. It's a lie. How dare you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> He told you he was going to an official dinner, but he didn't +tell you that as soon as he could get away he was going to play bridge +at the Knoxes'. Pity you don't play. They might have asked you too.</p> + +<p>[<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You call me, Daisy?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Snatching her hands away.</i>] Let me go, you fool. [<i>To the</i> +<span class="smcap">Amah</span>.] He says George Conway is engaged to Harold Knox's sister. It's +not true.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I no sabe. George's boy say so. Knox the night before last at the +club, he say to his friend,<a name="page_117" id="page_117"></a> George Conway and my sister, they going to +make a match of it.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>A horrible change comes over</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy's</span> <i>face as all its features +become distorted with rage and jealousy</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> The liar.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>She stares in front of her, hatred, anger, and mortification +seething in her heart. Then she gives a cruel malicious chuckle. +She goes quickly to the Korean chest and flings it open. She takes +out a parcel of letters and crossing back swiftly to</i> <span class="smcap">Lee Tai</span> +<i>thrusts them in his hands</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> What is this?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> They're the letters he wrote me. Let them come into Harry's +hands.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> Why?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> So that Harry may know everything.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> [<i>After a moment's thought.</i>] And what will you do for me if I +do this for you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What you like.... Only they must get to him quickly. George goes +away the day after to-morrow.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> Where is your husband?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Kalgan.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> The letters shall reach him to-morrow morning. I'll send them +by car.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> It'll be a pleasant surprise for his breakfast.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> Daisy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Go quickly—or I shall change my mind. There'll be plenty of time +for everything else after to-morrow.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lee Tai.</span> I'll go.</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">Lee Tai</span> <i>goes out</i>. <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>gives him a look of contempt</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Fool.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> What you mean, Daisy?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Harry will divorce me. And then....</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>gives a little cry of triumph</i>.</p> + +<p class="c">END OF SCENE VI</p> + +<p><a name="page_118" id="page_118"></a></p> + +<p><a name="page_119" id="page_119"></a></p> + +<h3><a name="SCENE_VII" id="SCENE_VII"></a>SCENE VII</h3> + +<p><a name="page_120" id="page_120"></a></p> + +<p><a name="page_121" id="page_121"></a></p> + +<p><i>The sitting-room in the</i> <span class="smcap">Andersons'</span> <i>apartments</i>.</p> + +<p><i>The scene is the same as</i> <span class="smcap">Scene iv</span>. <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>and the</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>is walking restlessly backwards and forwards</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> At what time does the train from Kalgan get in?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Five o'clock, my think so.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What time is it now?</p> + +<p>[<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>takes a large gold watch out and looks at it</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> My watch no walkee.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Why don't you have it mended? What's the good of a watch that +doesn't go?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Gold watch. Eighteen carats. Cost velly much money. Give me plenty +face.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Impatiently.</i>] Go and ask Wu what time it is.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I know time. I tell by the sun. More better than European watch. I +think half-past four perhaps.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Why doesn't George come?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Perhaps he velly busy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You gave him the note yourself?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Yes, I give him letter.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What did he say?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> He no say nothing. He look: damn, damn.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Did you tell him it was very important?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I say, you come quick. Chop-chop.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Yes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I tell you before. Why you want me tell you again? He say he come +chop-chop when he get away from office.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> As if the office mattered now. I ought to have gone to him +myself.<a name="page_122" id="page_122"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You no make him come more quick because you walk up down. Why you +no sit still?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> The train is never punctual. It'll take Harry at least twenty +minutes to get out here.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Lee Tai....</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Interrupting.</i>] Don't talk to me of Lee Tai. Why on earth +should I bother about Lee Tai?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> [<i>Taking up an opium pipe that is on the table.</i>] Shall Amah make +her little Daisy a pipe? Daisy very restless.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Have you got opium?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Lee Tai give me some. [<i>She shows</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>a small tin box</i>.] +Number one quality. You have one little pipe, Daisy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> No.</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">Wu</span> <i>comes in with a card. He gives it to</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span>.</p> + +<p>Miss Knox. Say I'm not at home.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Wu.</span> Yes, missy.</p> + +<p>[<i>He is about to go out.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Stop. Is she alone?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Wu.</span> She ride up to gate with gentleman and lady. She say can she see you +for two, three minutes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>After a moment's consideration.</i>] Tell her to come in.</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">Wu</span> <i>goes out</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> What you want to see her for, Daisy?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Mind your own business.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> George come very soon now.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I shall get rid of her as soon as he does. [<i>Almost to herself.</i>] +I want to see for myself.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<span class="smcap">Sylvia</span> <i>comes in. She wears a riding-habit</i>. <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>greets her +cordially. Her manner, which was restless, becomes on a sudden gay, +gracious, and friendly</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, my dear, how sweet of you to come all this way!</p> + +<p>[<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>slips out</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> I can only stop a second. I was riding with<a name="page_123" id="page_123"></a> the Fergusons and +we passed your temple. I thought I'd just run in and see how you were. I +haven't seen you for an age.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Are the Fergusons waiting outside?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> They rode on. They said they'd fetch me in five minutes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Smiling.</i>] How did your bridge party go off last night?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> How on earth did you hear about that? Did Mr. Conway tell you? I +wish you played bridge. We really had rather a lark.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> George didn't come in till late, I suppose?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> Oh, no, he got away in fairly decent time. Where there's a will +there's a way, you know, even at official functions.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>With a little laugh.</i>] Oh, I know! I'm expecting him here in a +minute. I hope you won't have to go before he comes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> Well, I saw him yesterday. I can live one day without seeing +him.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I wonder if he can live one day without seeing you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> I'm tolerably sure he can do that.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>As if she were merely teasing.</i>] A little bird has whispered to +me that there's a very pretty blonde in Peking....</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> [<i>Interrupting.</i>] Probably peroxide.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Not in this case. Who is not entirely indifferent to the +Assistant Chinese Secretary at the British Legation.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> Fancy!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I suppose you haven't an idea who I'm talking about?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> Not a ghost.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Then why do you blush to the roots of your hair?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> I was outraged at your suggestion that my hair was dyed.<a name="page_124" id="page_124"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> It's too bad of me to tease you, isn't it?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> I'm a perfect owl. You know what a tactless idiot my brother is. +He will chaff me about George Conway, so it makes me self-conscious when +anybody talks about him.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Darling, it's nothing to be ashamed of. Why shouldn't you be in +love with him?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> [<i>With a laugh.</i>] But I'm not in love with him.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Why does your brother chaff you then?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> Because he's under the delusion that it's funny.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> But you do like him, don't you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> Of course I like him.... I think he's a very good sort.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Would you marry him if he asked you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> My dear, what are you talking about? The thought never entered +my head.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, what nonsense! When a man's as attentive to a girl as George +has been to you she can't help asking herself if she'd like to marry him +or not.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> [<i>Coldly, but still smiling.</i>] Can't she? I'm afraid I haven't a +close acquaintance with that sort of girl.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Am I being very vulgar? You know, we half-castes are sometimes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> [<i>With a trace of impatience.</i>] Of course you're not vulgar. But +I don't know why you want to talk about something that's absolute Greek +to me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> The natural curiosity of the Eurasian. Everybody tells me that +you're engaged to George.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> Look at my hand.</p> + +<p>[<i>She stretches out her left hand so that</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>should see there is no +ring on the fourth finger</i>. <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>stares at it for a moment</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You always used to wear an engagement ring.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> [<i>Gravely.</i>] It was put on my finger by a poor boy who was +killed. I meant to wear it always.<a name="page_125" id="page_125"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Why have you taken it off?</p> + +<p>[<i>She looks at</i> <span class="smcap">Sylvia</span>. <i>She can no longer preserve her artificial +gaiety and her voice is cold and hard. Before</i> <span class="smcap">Sylvia</span> <i>can answer</i> +<span class="smcap">George Conway</span> <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Regaining with an effort her earlier sprightliness.</i>] There you +are at last.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I couldn't come sooner. I was with the Minister.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> We were wondering why you were so late.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> Daisy was wondering.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Shaking hands with Sylvia.</i>] I thought that was your pony +outside.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> Clever.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> The Fergusons were just riding up as I came.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> Oh, they've come to fetch me! I must bolt.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I'm afraid we kept you up till all sorts of hours last night.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> Not a bit. Do I look jaded?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Of course not. You young things can stay up till three in the +morning and be as fresh as paint. Wait till you're my age.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> You haven't passed your hundredth birthday yet, have you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Not quite. But I'm old enough to be your father.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> I will not stay and listen to you talk rubbish. Good-bye, Daisy. +Do come and see me one day this week.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Good-bye.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I'll come and help you mount, shall I?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sylvia.</span> Oh, no, don't bother! Mr. Ferguson is there.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Oh, all right!</p> + +<p>[<i>She goes out.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Her smiles vanishing, hostile and cold.</i>] You might shut the +door.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Doing so.</i>] I will.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Aren't you going to kiss me?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Daisy.<a name="page_126" id="page_126"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Hastily.</i>] Oh, no, it doesn't matter! Don't bother.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> You said you wanted to see me very importantly.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> It's kind of you to have come.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>With an effort at ease of manner.</i>] My dear child, what are +you talking about? You must know that if there's anything in the world I +can do for you I'm only too anxious to do it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Is that girl in love with you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Good heavens, no! What put that idea in your head?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> The eyes in my head.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> What perfect nonsense!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Has it never occurred to you that she was in love with you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Never.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Why do you lie to me? I've been told that you were engaged to +her.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> That's ludicrous. It's absolutely untrue.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Yes, I think it is. At the first moment I believed it. And then I +thought it over and I knew it couldn't be true. I don't think you'd do +anything underhand.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> At all events I shouldn't do that.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> In fairness to me or in fairness to her?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> My dear Daisy, what are you talking about?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Did you break with me yesterday so that you might be free to +propose to her?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> No, I swear I didn't.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Why are you so emphatic?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Oh, Daisy, what's the good of tormenting yourself and tormenting +me? You know I loved you just as much as you loved me. But I'm not like +you. It was a torture. I knew it was wrong and hateful. I couldn't go +on.<a name="page_127" id="page_127"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Do you think it would have seemed wrong and hateful if it hadn't +been for Sylvia?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Yes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You don't say that very convincingly.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I do think it is because she is so loyal, and good and straight +that I saw so clearly what a cad I was. I think I found courage to do +the only possible thing in her frankness and honesty.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I think you deceive yourself. Are you sure this admiration of +yours for all her admirable qualities isn't—love?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> My dear, I'm unfit to love her.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> She doesn't think so. If you asked her to marry you she'd accept.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Impatiently.</i>] What nonsense. What in heaven's name made you +think that?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I made it my business to find out.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Well, you can set your mind at rest. I'm not going to ask her to +marry me.</p> + +<p>[<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Five o'clock, Daisy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Leave me alone.</p> + +<p>[<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>goes out</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> When does Harry come back?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>After a pause, in a strange, hoarse voice.</i>] To-day.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Surprised at her tone and manner.</i>] Is anything the matter, +Daisy?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I'm afraid I have some very bad news for you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Startled.</i>] Oh!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You know those letters. I kept them locked in the box. Lee Tai +was furious because I wouldn't have anything to do with him. Last night +he broke open the box. He's sent the letters to Harry.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Overwhelmed.</i>] My God!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I'm awfully sorry. It wasn't my fault. I couldn't dream that +there was any risk.<a name="page_128" id="page_128"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Was that why you sent for me?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Say you don't hate me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Oh, poor Harry!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Don't think of him now. Think of me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> What do we matter now, you and I? We're a pair of rotters. Harry +is a white man through and through. He loved you, and he trusted me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What are we going to do?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Give me a minute. I'm all at sixes and sevens. It's such a +knock-out blow.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Harry will be here soon. His train's due at five.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> We'll wait for him.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Did you think I was going to run away? I'll stay and face him.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> He'll kill you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>With anguish.</i>] I wish to God he would.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, George, how can you be so cruel? Don't you love me any more? +I love you. George, what is to become of me if you desert me?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Harry loves you so much and he loves me too. Heaven knows what +sacrifices he's not capable of. Oh, I'm so ashamed!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Why do you bother about him? He doesn't count. He'll get over it. +After all, what can he do? He can only divorce me and perhaps we can get +him to let me divorce him.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Could you <i>allow</i> him to do that?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> It means so little to a man. I don't care, I was thinking of you. +It would make it so much easier for you. [<i>He gives her a quick look. He +perceives the allusion to marriage.</i>] George, George, you wouldn't +leave—leave me in the cart.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Of course I'll marry you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Smiling now, loving and tender.</i>] Oh, George, we shall be so +happy. And you know, some day I'm sure<a name="page_129" id="page_129"></a> you'll think it's better as it's +turned out. I hate all this deceit just as much as you do. Oh, it'll +make such a difference when our love can be open and above board. When +I'm your wife you'll forget all that has tormented you. Oh, George, I +know we shall be happy!</p> + +<p>[<i>All this time</i> <span class="smcap">George</span> <i>has been thinking deeply</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> How do you know that Lee Tai sent those wretched letters to +Harry?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> He sent me a message. He wasn't satisfied with doing a dirty +trick. He wanted me to know that he'd done it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> How did he know you kept my letters there?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I told you I was reading them while I waited for you. He came in +and I put them away. I suppose he suspected. It was very easy for him to +get into the room after amah and I went away.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Sarcastically.</i>] Had you left the key of the box on the table?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What do you mean, George? I'd locked it up. Of course I took the +key with me. I suppose he broke it open. What does it matter? The harm's +done.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> How do you know Harry received the letters this morning?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Lee Tai said he would.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> In Kalgan?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Yes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> How did he know Harry was in Kalgan?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> The Chinese know all one's movements.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> They can't do miracles. Harry was going up there unexpectedly on +a private mission. The fellows in that company know very well how to +keep their own counsel when it's needful.... I imagine you were the only +person in Peking who knew Harry was going to Kalgan.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Casually.</i>] Well, it appears I wasn't.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> How do you suppose Lee Tai found out something<a name="page_130" id="page_130"></a> that Harry had +particularly told you to keep quiet about?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> How can I tell? He may have found out from the amah for all I +know.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Surely you hadn't told her?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Of course not. She may have read the letter. She always does read +my letters.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Can she read English?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Enough to find out about other people's business.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Why should she have told Lee Tai?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I suppose he bribed her. She'd do anything for a hundred dollars.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Not if it would do you harm.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> She's not so devoted to me as all that.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> She's your mother, Daisy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Quickly.</i>] How d'you know?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Harry told me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I thought he was too ashamed of it to do that.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Persistently.</i>] How did Lee Tai know that Harry was in Kalgan?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I tell you I don't know. Why do you cross-examine me? Good God, +I'm harassed enough without that! What do you mean?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>He seizes her wrists and draws her violently to him.</i>] Daisy, +did you send those letters to Harry yourself?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Never! Do you think I'm crazy?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Did you give them to Lee Tai to send?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> No.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> God damn you, speak the truth! I will have the truth for once in +your life.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>They stare at one another. He is stern and angry. She pulls +herself together. She is fierce and defiant. She shakes herself +free of him.</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I gave them to Lee Tai.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Hiding his face with his hands.</i>] My God!<a name="page_131" id="page_131"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> He told me you were engaged to Sylvia. For a moment I believed it +and I gave him the letters. I hardly knew what I was doing. And now, +even though I know it wasn't true, I'm glad. I wish I'd done it long +before.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> You fiend!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Violently.</i>] Do you think I'm going to let you go so easily? Do +you think I've done all I have to let you marry that silly little +English girl?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>With anguish.</i>] Oh, Daisy, how could you?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Has it never struck you how you came to be wounded that night? It +wasn't you they wanted. It was Harry.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I know. [<i>Suddenly understanding.</i>] Daisy!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Yes, I could do that. I only wish it had succeeded.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I can't believe it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You're mine, mine, mine, and I'll never let you go.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>With increasing violence.</i>] Do you think I can ever look at +you again without horror? In my heart I've known always that you were +evil. Ten years ago when I first loved you there was a deep instinct +within that warned me. Even though my heart was breaking for love of you +I knew that you were ruthless and cruel. I've loved you, yes, but all +the time I've hated you. I've loved you, but with the baser part of me. +All that was in me that was honest and decent and upright revolted +against you. Always, always. This love has been a loathsome cancer in my +heart. I couldn't rid me of it without killing myself, but I abhorred +it. I felt that I was degraded by the love that burned me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What do I care so long as you love? You can think anything you +like of me. The fact remains that you love me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> If you had no pity for Harry, who raised you from the gutter and +gave you everything he had to give,<a name="page_132" id="page_132"></a> oh, if you'd loved me you'd have +had mercy on me. What do you think our life can be together? Don't you +know what I shall be? Ruined and abject and hopeless. Oh, not only in +the eyes of everyone who knows me shall I be degraded, but in my own. Do +you think there's much happiness for you there?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I shall have you. That's all the happiness I want. I'd rather be +wretched with you—oh, a thousand times—than happy with anyone else.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Wrathfully, trying to wound her.</i>] You were tormenting me just +now because you were jealous of Sylvia. Do you know what I felt for her? +It wasn't love—at least not what you mean by love. I can never love +anyone as I've loved you and God knows I'm thankful. But I had such a +respect for her. I've been so wretched and she offered me peace. And I +did think that some day when all this horror was over, if I could do +something to make myself feel clean again, I should go to her and, all +unworthy, ask her if she would take me. And now the bitterest pang of +all is to think that she must know what an unspeakable cad I've always +been.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>He has flung himself into a chair. He is in despair.</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>goes +up to him and going down on her knees beside him puts her arm round +him. She is very tender</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, George, I can make you forget her so easily. You don't know +what my love can do. I know I've been horrible, but it's only been +because I loved you. Ten years ago I was all that she is. I'm like clay +in your hands and you can make me what you will. Oh, George, say you +forgive me!</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>In the caressing gestures of her hands as she tries to move him +one of them rests by chance on his coat pocket. She feels something +hard. He moves slightly away.</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Take care.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What's that in your pocket?<a name="page_133" id="page_133"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> It's my revolver. Since my accident I've always carried it about +with me. It's rather silly, but the Minister asked me to. He said he'd +feel safer.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, George, if you only knew the agony I suffered when you were +brought in! The remorse, the fear! I thought I should go mad.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>With a bitter chuckle.</i>] It must have been rather a sell for +you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, you can laugh! I knew you'd forgive me. My darling.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I'm sorry for all the rough things I said to you, Daisy. I don't +blame you for anything. You only acted according to your lights. The +only person I can blame is myself. It's only reasonable that I should +suffer the punishment.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> My sweetheart!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> I suppose you know that I shall be quite ruined.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You'll have to leave the service. Does that really matter to you +very much?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> It was my whole life.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> You'll get a job in the post office. With your knowledge of the +language they'll simply jump at you. It's a Chinese service. It has +nothing to do with Europeans.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Do you think the postmaster in a small Chinese city is a very +lucrative position?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> What does money matter? If I'd wanted money I could have got all +I wanted from Lee Tai. We can do with very little. You don't know what a +clever housekeeper I am.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>In a level, dead voice.</i>] I'm sure you're wonderful.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> We'll go to some city where there are no foreigners. And we shall +be together always. We'll have a house high up on the bank and below us +the river will flow, flow endlessly.<a name="page_134" id="page_134"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> You seem to have got it all mapped out.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> If you only knew how often I've dreamed of it. Oh, George, I want +rest and peace too! I'm so tired. I want endless days to rest in. [<i>With +a puzzled look at him.</i>] What is the matter? You look so strange.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>With a weary sigh.</i>] I was thinking of all the things you've +been saying to me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> If you think it'll be easier for you if you don't marry me, you +need not. I don't care anything about that. I'll be your mistress and +I'll lie hidden in your house so that no one shall know I'm there. I'll +live like a Chinese woman. I'll be your slave and your plaything. I want +to get away from all these Europeans. After all, China is the land of my +birth and the land of my mother. China is crowding in upon me; I'm sick +of these foreign clothes. I have a strange hankering for the ease of the +Chinese dress. You've never seen me in it?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Never.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>With a smile.</i>] You'd hardly know me. I'll be a little Chinese +girl living in the foreigner's house. Have you ever smoked opium?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> No. [<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>takes the</i> <span class="smcap">Amah's</span> <i>long pipe in her hands.</i>] Who +does that belong to?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> It's amah's. One day you shall try and I'll make your pipes for +you. Lee Tai used to say that no one could make them better than I.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> However low down the ladder you go there's apparently always a +rung lower.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> After you've smoked a pipe or two your mind grows extraordinarily +clear. You have a strange facility of speech and yet no desire to speak. +All the puzzles of this puzzling world grow plain to you. You are +tranquil and free. Your soul is gently released from the bondage of your +body, and it plays, happy and careless, like a child with flowers. Death +cannot frighten you, and want and misery are like blue mountains far +away. You feel a heavenly power possess you and you can venture all +things<a name="page_135" id="page_135"></a> because suffering cannot touch you. Your spirit has wings and +you fly like a bird through the starry wastes of the night. You hold +space and time in the hollow of your hand. Then you come upon the dawn, +all pearly and gray and silent, and there in the distance, like a +dreamless sleep, is the sea.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> You are showing me a side of you I never knew.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Do you think you know me yet? I don't know myself. In my heart +there are secrets that are strange even to me, and spells to bind you to +me, and enchantments so that you will never weary.</p> + +<p>[<i>A pause.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> [<i>Standing up.</i>] I'll go and get myself a drink. After all these +alarums and excursions I really think I deserve it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Amah will bring it to you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George.</span> Oh, it doesn't matter! I can easily fetch it myself. The +whisky's in the dining-room, isn't it?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> I expect so.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>He goes out.</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>goes over to a chest which stands in the +room and throws it open. She takes out the Manchu dress which Harry +once gave her and handles it smilingly. She holds up in both her +hands the sumptuous headdress. There is the sound of a door being +locked</i>. <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>puts down the headdress and looks at the door +enquiringly</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>With a little smile.</i>] What are you locking the door for, +George? [<i>The words are hardly out of her mouth before there is the +report of a pistol shot.</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>gives a shriek and rushes towards the +door.</i>] George! George! What have you done? [<i>She beats frantically on +the door.</i>] Let me in! Let me in! George!</p> + +<p>[<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>comes in running from the courtyard</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> What's the matter? I hear shot.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Send the boys, quick. We must break down this door.<a name="page_136" id="page_136"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I send the boys away. I no want them here when Harry come.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> George! George! Speak to me. [<i>She beats violently on the door.</i>] +Oh, what shall I do?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Daisy, what's the matter?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> He's killed himself sooner—sooner than....</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> [<i>Aghast.</i>] Oh!</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>staggers back into the room</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Oh, my God!</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>She sinks down on the floor. She beats it with her fist. The</i> +<span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>looks at her for an instant, then with quick determination +seizes her shoulder</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Daisy, Harry come soon.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>With a violent gesture.</i>] Leave me alone. What do I care if +Harry comes?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> You no can stay here. Come with me quick.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Go away. Damn you!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> [<i>Stern and decided.</i>] Don't you talk foolish now. You come. Lee +Tai waiting for you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>With a sudden suspicion.</i>] Did you know this was going to +happen? George! George!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> Harry will kill you if he find you here. Come with me. [<i>There is +a knocking at the outer gate.</i>] There he is. Daisy! Daisy!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Don't torture me.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I bolt that door. He no get in that way. He must come round +through temple. You come quick and I hide you. We slip out when he safe.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>With scornful rage.</i>] Do you think I'm frightened of Harry?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> He come velly soon now.</p> + +<p>[<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>raises herself to her feet. A strange look comes over her face.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Lee Tai has made a mistake again. Bolt that door.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>runs to it and slips the bolt. While she does this</i> +<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>takes the tin of opium and quickly swallows<a name="page_137" id="page_137"></a> some of the +contents. The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>turns round and sees her. She gives a gasp. +She runs forward and snatches the tin from</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy's</span> <i>hand</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> What you do, Daisy? Daisy, you die!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Yes, I die. The day has come. The jungle takes back its own.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> [<i>Distraught.</i>] Oh, Daisy! Daisy! My little flower.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> How long will it take? [<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> <i>sobs desperately</i>. <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> +<i>goes to the Manchu clothes and takes them up</i>.] Help me to put these +on.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> [<i>Dumbfounded.</i>] What you mean, Daisy?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Curse you, do as I tell you!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I think you crazy. [<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>slips into the long skirt and the</i> <span class="smcap">Amah</span> +<i>with trembling hands helps her into the coat. In the middle of her +dressing</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>staggers</i>.] Daisy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> [<i>Recovering herself.</i>] Don't be a fool. I'm all right.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> [<i>In a terrified whisper.</i>] There's Harry.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Give me the headdress.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>Outside.</i>] Open the door.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Be quick.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Amah.</span> I no understand. You die, Daisy. You die.</p> + +<p>[<i>The knocking is repeated more violently.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> [<i>Shouting.</i>] Daisy! Amah! Open the door. If you don't open I'll +break it down.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>is ready. She steps on to the pallet and sits in the +Chinese fashion</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Go to the door. Open when I tell you.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>There is by</i> <span class="smcap">Daisy's</span> <i>side a box in which are the paints and +pencils the Chinese lady uses to make up her face</i>. <span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>opens +it. She takes out a hand mirror</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Who's there? Open, I tell you! Open!</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<span class="smcap">Daisy</span> <i>puts rouge on her cheeks. She takes a black pencil and +touches her eyebrows. She gives them a slight slant so that she +looks on a sudden absolutely Chinese</i>.</p></div> + +<p><a name="page_138" id="page_138"></a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy.</span> Open!</p> + +<p>[<i>The</i> <i>Amah</i> <i>draws the bolt and</i> <span class="smcap">Harry</span> <i>bursts in</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harry.</span> Daisy! [<i>He comes forward impetuously and then on a sudden stops. +He is taken aback. Something, he knows not what, comes over him and he +feels helpless and strangely weak.</i>] Daisy, what does it mean? These +letters. [<i>He takes them out of his pocket and thrusts them towards her. +She takes no notice of him.</i>] Daisy, speak to me. I don't understand. +[<i>He staggers towards her with outstretched hands.</i>] For God's sake, say +it isn't true.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang">[<i>Motionless she contemplates in the mirror the Chinese woman of +the reflection.</i></p></div> + +<p class="c">THE END</p> + +<hr class="full" /> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's East of Suez, by William Somerset Maugham + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EAST OF SUEZ *** + +***** This file should be named 34860-h.htm or 34860-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/8/6/34860/ + +Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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