East of Suez: A Play in Seven Scenes

Harry. I thought you were going to play tennis this afternoon.

Knox. So I am later on.

Harry. [Smiling.] Do it now, dear boy. That is a precept a business man should never forget.

Knox. I should hate to think you wanted to be rid of me.

Harry. I dote on your company, but I feel that I mustn't be selfish.

Knox. [Pulling his leg.] To tell you the truth I don't feel very fit to-day.

Harry. A little bilious, I dare say. Half a dozen hard sets are just what you want. [He hands Knox his coat.]

Knox. What is this?

Harry. Your coat.

Knox. You're making yourself almost more distressingly plain than nature has already made you.

[Wu comes back and hands Harry a dollar, and then goes out. Harry gives the dollar to the Amah.

Harry. 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?

Amah. My sabe. Goo'-bye.

Knox. God bless you, dearie. It's done me good to see your winsome little face.

Harry. [With a smile.] Shut up, Harold.

[The Amah with nods, smiles and bows, goes out.

Knox. Harry, my poor friend, is it possible that you have an assignation?

Harry. What is possible is that if you don't get out quick I'll throw you out.

Knox. Why didn't you say you were expecting a girl?

Harry. I'm not; I'm expecting a lady.

Knox. 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.

Harry. Has it struck you that the distance from the verandah to the street is very considerable?

Knox. 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.

Harry. I expect Wu put it away.

Knox. It's much more likely that old woman pinched it.

Harry. Oh, nonsense. She wouldn't dream of such a thing. I believe Mrs. Rathbone's had her for ages.

Knox. Who is Mrs. Rathbone?

Harry. [Not wishing to be questioned.] A friend of mine.

[George Conway comes in. 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.

George. May I come in?

Harry. [Eagerly, shaking him warmly by the hand.] At last. By Jove, it's good to see you again. You know Knox, don't you?

George. I think so.

Knox. I wash bottles in the B. A. T. I don't expect the legation bloods to be aware of my existence.

George. [With a twinkle in his eye.] I don't know that an Assistant Chinese Secretary is such a blood as all that.

Knox. You've just been down to Fuchow, haven't you?

George. Yes, I only got back this morning.

Knox. Did you see Freddy Baker by any chance?

George. Yes, poor chap.

Knox. Oh, I've got no pity for him. He's just a damned fool.

Harry. Why?

Knox. Haven't you heard? He's married a half-caste.

Harry. What of it? I believe she's a very pretty girl.

Knox. I daresay she is. But hang it all, he needn't have married her.

George. I don't think it was a very wise thing to do.

Harry. I should have thought all those prejudices were out of date. Why shouldn't a man marry a half-caste if he wants to?

Knox. It can't be very nice to have a wife whom even the missionary ladies turn up their noses at.

Harry. [With a shrug of the shoulders.] 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.

George. Yes, but that's just it. He'll never get a good job with a Eurasian wife.

Harry. 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?

George. 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.