East of Suez: A Play in Seven Scenes

Daisy. I was tired of sitting in the drawing-room.

George. I remembered it was your wedding-day. I've brought you a few flowers. [She takes them with both hands.]

Daisy. Thank you. That is kind of you.

George. [Gravely.] 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.

Daisy. You're very solemn. One would almost think you'd prepared that pretty speech beforehand.

George. [Trying to take it lightly.] I'm sorry if it didn't sound natural. I can promise you it was sincere.

Daisy. Shall we sit down?

George. 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.

Daisy. Harry's out.

George. 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.

Daisy. I didn't tell him.

George. No?

Daisy. I don't see you very often nowadays.

George. There's an awful lot of work to do just now. They lead me a dog's life at the legation.

Daisy. Even at night? At first you used to come and dine with us two or three nights a week.

George. I can't always be sponging on you. It's positively indecent.

Daisy. 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.

George. I come whenever you ask me.

Daisy. You haven't been here for a month.

George. It just happens that the last two or three times you've asked me to dine I've been engaged.

Daisy. [Her voice breaking.] You promised that we'd be friends. What have I done to turn you against me?

George. [His armour pierced by the emotion in her voice.] Oh, Daisy, don't speak like that.

Daisy. 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.

George. Oh, my dear child, you make me feel such an awful beast.

Daisy. Is it the past that you can't forget?

George. Good heavens, no, what do I care about the past?

Daisy. I have so few friends. I'm so awfully fond of you, George.

George. I don't think I've given you much cause to be that.

Daisy. There must be some reason why you won't ever come near me. Why won't you tell me?

George. Oh, it's absurd, you're making a mountain out of a molehill.

Daisy. 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?

George. Nothing has changed me.

Daisy. [With a passion of despair.] Oh, I might as well batter my head against a brick wall. How can you be so unkind to me?