East of Suez: A Play in Seven Scenes

Daisy. That's how I want you to love me.

George. 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.

Daisy. [Tenderly.] Oh, darling, why do you make yourself unhappy when happiness lies in the hollow of your hand?

George. Have you never regretted anything?

Daisy. Never.

George. 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.

Daisy. [With passion.] 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.

George. [Going on with his own thoughts.] And afterwards your tears, your happiness, the dread of giving you 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.

Daisy. [Scornfully.] Do you think I'd have gone then?

George. 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.

Daisy. [Full of love and pity.] Oh, my darling, you know I'd do anything in the world to give you happiness!

George. [Sombrely looking away from her.] Daisy, I think you can never give me happiness, but you can help me, not to make amends because that's impossible, but to … [Impulsively, looking at her now.] Oh, Daisy, do you really love me?

Daisy. With all my heart. With all my soul.

George. Then help me. Let us finish.

Daisy. [Quickly.] What do you mean?

George. 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.

Daisy. Is it wrong to love? How can I help it?

George. Daisy, I want to – cease doing wrong.

Daisy. You make me impatient. How can you be so weak?

George. I want you to believe that I love you. But I can't go on with this deceit. I'd sooner shoot myself.

Daisy. You couldn't say that if you loved me as I love you.

George. [Brutally.] I don't love you any more.

Daisy. [With a scornful shrug.] That's not true.

George. [Clenching his teeth.] 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.

Daisy. As if I could.

George. I'm going away for a bit.

Daisy. [Startled.] You? Why?

George. 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 Empress. I leave here the day after to-morrow.

Daisy. [Suddenly distraught.] 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?

George. It's the only thing to do, for your sake and Harry's and mine. [Taking his courage in both hands.] This is good-bye, Daisy.

Daisy. [Seizing him by the shoulders.] Let me look at your eyes. George, you're crazy. You can't go.

George. [Drawing away.] 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. [She looks at him with suffering, anxious eyes. She is stunned.] 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.

Daisy. [Sullenly.] How long are you going for?

George. Three or four months. [A pause.] I knew you'd be brave, Daisy. Do you know, I was afraid you'd cry most awfully. It tears my heart to see you cry.

Daisy. Do you think I'm a child? Do you think I can cry now?

George. It's good-bye, then, Daisy.

[She does not answer. She hardly hears what he says. He hesitates an instant wretchedly, and then goes quickly out of the room. Daisy stands as if she were turned to stone. Her face is haggard. In a minute Lee Tai comes softly in. He stands at the door, looking at her, then gives a little cough. She turns round and sees him.

Daisy. [Fiercely.] What do you want?

Lee Tai. I was waiting till you were disengaged.

Daisy. Have you been listening?

Lee Tai. I have heard.

Daisy. I wish I could have seen you with your ear to the keyhole. You must have looked dignified.

[She begins to laugh, angrily, hysterically, beside herself.

Lee Tai. Let me give you a cup of tea. It's quite warm still.

Daisy. I should have thought you were rather old and fat to stoop so much.

Lee Tai. Fortunately the windows are only covered with rice paper, so I was saved that inconvenience.

[He hands her a cup of tea. She takes it and flings it at him. The tea is splashed over his black robe.

Daisy. Get out of here or I'll kill you.

[He wipes his dress with a large silk pocket handkerchief.

Lee Tai. You forget sometimes the manners that were taught you at that elegant school for young ladies in England.

Daisy. I suppose you've come to crow over me. Well, crow.

Lee Tai. I told you that I thought I should not have to wait very long.

Daisy. [Scornfully.] You fool. Do you think it's finished?

Lee Tai. Did I not tell you that the white man's love was weak and vacillating?

Daisy. 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.

Lee Tai. Not to you.

Daisy. 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.

Lee Tai. [Very quietly.] He's going to be married to Miss Sylvia Knox.

[Daisy springs at him and seizes him by the throat.

Daisy. That's a lie. That's a lie. Take it back. You pig.

[He takes her hands and drags them away from his throat. He holds her fast.

Lee Tai. Ask your mother. She knows. The Chinese all know.

Daisy. [Calling.] Amah, amah. It's a lie. How dare you?

Lee Tai. 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.

[The Amah comes in.

Amah. You call me, Daisy?

Daisy. [Snatching her hands away.] Let me go, you fool. [To the Amah.] He says George Conway is engaged to Harold Knox's sister. It's not true.

Amah. I no sabe. George's boy say so. Knox the night before last at the club, he say to his friend, George Conway and my sister, they going to make a match of it.

[A horrible change comes over Daisy's face as all its features become distorted with rage and jealousy.

Daisy. The liar.

[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 Lee Tai thrusts them in his hands.

Lee Tai. What is this?

Daisy. They're the letters he wrote me. Let them come into Harry's hands.

Lee Tai. Why?

Daisy. So that Harry may know everything.

Lee Tai. [After a moment's thought.] And what will you do for me if I do this for you?

Daisy. What you like… Only they must get to him quickly. George goes away the day after to-morrow.

Lee Tai. Where is your husband?

Daisy. Kalgan.

Lee Tai. The letters shall reach him to-morrow morning. I'll send them by car.

Daisy. It'll be a pleasant surprise for his breakfast.

Lee Tai. Daisy.

Daisy. Go quickly – or I shall change my mind. There'll be plenty of time for everything else after to-morrow.

Lee Tai. I'll go.

[Lee Tai goes out. Daisy gives him a look of contempt.

Daisy. Fool.

Amah. What you mean, Daisy?

Daisy. Harry will divorce me. And then…

[Daisy gives a little cry of triumph.

END OF SCENE VI

SCENE VII

The sitting-room in the Andersons' apartments.

The scene is the same as Scene iv. Daisy and the Amah.

Daisy is walking restlessly backwards and forwards.

Daisy. At what time does the train from Kalgan get in?

Amah. Five o'clock, my think so.

Daisy. What time is it now?

[The Amah takes a large gold watch out and looks at it.

Amah. My watch no walkee.

Daisy. Why don't you have it mended? What's the good of a watch that doesn't go?

Amah. Gold watch. Eighteen carats. Cost velly much money. Give me plenty face.

Daisy. [Impatiently.] Go and ask Wu what time it is.

Amah. I know time. I tell by the sun. More better than European watch. I think half-past four perhaps.

Daisy. Why doesn't George come?

Amah. Perhaps he velly busy.

Daisy. You gave him the note yourself?

Amah. Yes, I give him letter.

Daisy. What did he say?

Amah. He no say nothing. He look: damn, damn.

Daisy. Did you tell him it was very important?

Amah. I say, you come quick. Chop-chop.

Daisy. Yes.

Amah. I tell you before. Why you want me tell you again? He say he come chop-chop when he get away from office.

Daisy. As if the office mattered now. I ought to have gone to him myself.

Amah. You no make him come more quick because you walk up down. Why you no sit still?

Daisy. The train is never punctual. It'll take Harry at least twenty minutes to get out here.

Amah. Lee Tai…

Daisy. [Interrupting.] Don't talk to me of Lee Tai. Why on earth should I bother about Lee Tai?

Amah. [Taking up an opium pipe that is on the table.] Shall Amah make her little Daisy a pipe? Daisy very restless.

Daisy. Have you got opium?

Amah. Lee Tai give me some. [She shows Daisy a small tin box.] Number one quality. You have one little pipe, Daisy.

Daisy. No.

[Wu comes in with a card. He gives it to Daisy.

Miss Knox. Say I'm not at home.

Wu. Yes, missy.

[He is about to go out.

Daisy. Stop. Is she alone?

Wu. She ride up to gate with gentleman and lady. She say can she see you for two, three minutes.

Daisy. [After a moment's consideration.] Tell her to come in.

[Wu goes out.

Amah. What you want to see her for, Daisy?

Daisy. Mind your own business.

Amah. George come very soon now.

Daisy. I shall get rid of her as soon as he does. [Almost to herself.] I want to see for myself.

[Sylvia comes in. She wears a riding-habit. Daisy greets her cordially. Her manner, which was restless, becomes on a sudden gay, gracious, and friendly.

Daisy. Oh, my dear, how sweet of you to come all this way!

[The Amah slips out.

Sylvia. I can only stop a second. I was riding with 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.

Daisy. Are the Fergusons waiting outside?

Sylvia. They rode on. They said they'd fetch me in five minutes.

Daisy. [Smiling.] How did your bridge party go off last night?

Sylvia. How on earth did you hear about that? Did Mr. Conway tell you? I wish you played bridge. We really had rather a lark.

Daisy. George didn't come in till late, I suppose?

Sylvia. Oh, no, he got away in fairly decent time. Where there's a will there's a way, you know, even at official functions.

Daisy. [With a little laugh.] Oh, I know! I'm expecting him here in a minute. I hope you won't have to go before he comes.

Sylvia. Well, I saw him yesterday. I can live one day without seeing him.

Daisy. I wonder if he can live one day without seeing you?

Sylvia. I'm tolerably sure he can do that.

Daisy. [As if she were merely teasing.] A little bird has whispered to me that there's a very pretty blonde in Peking…

Sylvia. [Interrupting.] Probably peroxide.

Daisy. Not in this case. Who is not entirely indifferent to the Assistant Chinese Secretary at the British Legation.

Sylvia. Fancy!

Daisy. I suppose you haven't an idea who I'm talking about?

Sylvia. Not a ghost.

Daisy. Then why do you blush to the roots of your hair?

Sylvia. I was outraged at your suggestion that my hair was dyed.

Daisy. It's too bad of me to tease you, isn't it?

Sylvia. 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.

Daisy. Darling, it's nothing to be ashamed of. Why shouldn't you be in love with him?

Sylvia. [With a laugh.] But I'm not in love with him.

Daisy. Why does your brother chaff you then?

Sylvia. Because he's under the delusion that it's funny.

Daisy. But you do like him, don't you?

Sylvia. Of course I like him… I think he's a very good sort.

Daisy. Would you marry him if he asked you?

Sylvia. My dear, what are you talking about? The thought never entered my head.

Daisy. 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.

Sylvia. [Coldly, but still smiling.] Can't she? I'm afraid I haven't a close acquaintance with that sort of girl.

Daisy. Am I being very vulgar? You know, we half-castes are sometimes.

Sylvia. [With a trace of impatience.] Of course you're not vulgar. But I don't know why you want to talk about something that's absolute Greek to me.

Daisy. The natural curiosity of the Eurasian. Everybody tells me that you're engaged to George.

Sylvia. Look at my hand.

[She stretches out her left hand so that Daisy should see there is no ring on the fourth finger. Daisy stares at it for a moment.

Daisy. You always used to wear an engagement ring.

Sylvia. [Gravely.] It was put on my finger by a poor boy who was killed. I meant to wear it always.

Daisy. Why have you taken it off?

[She looks at Sylvia. She can no longer preserve her artificial gaiety and her voice is cold and hard. Before Sylvia can answer George Conway comes in.

Daisy. [Regaining with an effort her earlier sprightliness.] There you are at last.

George. I couldn't come sooner. I was with the Minister.

Daisy. We were wondering why you were so late.

Sylvia. Daisy was wondering.

George. [Shaking hands with Sylvia.] I thought that was your pony outside.

Sylvia. Clever.

George. The Fergusons were just riding up as I came.

Sylvia. Oh, they've come to fetch me! I must bolt.

George. I'm afraid we kept you up till all sorts of hours last night.

Sylvia. Not a bit. Do I look jaded?

George. 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.

Sylvia. You haven't passed your hundredth birthday yet, have you?

George. Not quite. But I'm old enough to be your father.

Sylvia. I will not stay and listen to you talk rubbish. Good-bye, Daisy. Do come and see me one day this week.

Daisy. Good-bye.

George. I'll come and help you mount, shall I?

Sylvia. Oh, no, don't bother! Mr. Ferguson is there.

George. Oh, all right!

[She goes out.

Daisy. [Her smiles vanishing, hostile and cold.] You might shut the door.

George. [Doing so.] I will.

Daisy. Aren't you going to kiss me?

George. Daisy.

Daisy. [Hastily.] Oh, no, it doesn't matter! Don't bother.

George. You said you wanted to see me very importantly.

Daisy. It's kind of you to have come.

George. [With an effort at ease of manner.] 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.

Daisy. Is that girl in love with you?

George. Good heavens, no! What put that idea in your head?

Daisy. The eyes in my head.

George. What perfect nonsense!

Daisy. Has it never occurred to you that she was in love with you?

George. Never.

Daisy. Why do you lie to me? I've been told that you were engaged to her.

George. That's ludicrous. It's absolutely untrue.

Daisy. 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.

George. At all events I shouldn't do that.

Daisy. In fairness to me or in fairness to her?

George. My dear Daisy, what are you talking about?

Daisy. Did you break with me yesterday so that you might be free to propose to her?

George. No, I swear I didn't.

Daisy. Why are you so emphatic?

George. 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.

Daisy. Do you think it would have seemed wrong and hateful if it hadn't been for Sylvia?

George. Yes.

Daisy. You don't say that very convincingly.

George. 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.

Daisy. I think you deceive yourself. Are you sure this admiration of yours for all her admirable qualities isn't – love?

George. My dear, I'm unfit to love her.

Daisy. She doesn't think so. If you asked her to marry you she'd accept.

George. [Impatiently.] What nonsense. What in heaven's name made you think that?

Daisy. I made it my business to find out.

George. Well, you can set your mind at rest. I'm not going to ask her to marry me.

[The Amah comes in.

Amah. Five o'clock, Daisy.

Daisy. Leave me alone.

[The Amah goes out.

George. When does Harry come back?

Daisy. [After a pause, in a strange, hoarse voice.] To-day.

George. [Surprised at her tone and manner.] Is anything the matter, Daisy?

Daisy. I'm afraid I have some very bad news for you.

George. [Startled.] Oh!

Daisy. 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.

George. [Overwhelmed.] My God!

Daisy. I'm awfully sorry. It wasn't my fault. I couldn't dream that there was any risk.

George. Was that why you sent for me?

Daisy. Say you don't hate me.

George. Oh, poor Harry!

Daisy. Don't think of him now. Think of me.

George. 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.

Daisy. What are we going to do?

George. Give me a minute. I'm all at sixes and sevens. It's such a knock-out blow.

Daisy. Harry will be here soon. His train's due at five.

George. We'll wait for him.

Daisy. What?

George. Did you think I was going to run away? I'll stay and face him.

Daisy. He'll kill you.

George. [With anguish.] I wish to God he would.

Daisy. 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?

George. Harry loves you so much and he loves me too. Heaven knows what sacrifices he's not capable of. Oh, I'm so ashamed!

Daisy. 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.

George. Could you allow him to do that?

Daisy. 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. [He gives her a quick look. He perceives the allusion to marriage.] George, George, you wouldn't leave – leave me in the cart.

George. Of course I'll marry you.

Daisy. [Smiling now, loving and tender.] Oh, George, we shall be so happy. And you know, some day I'm sure 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!

[All this time George has been thinking deeply.

George. How do you know that Lee Tai sent those wretched letters to Harry?

Daisy. He sent me a message. He wasn't satisfied with doing a dirty trick. He wanted me to know that he'd done it.

George. How did he know you kept my letters there?

Daisy. 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.

George. [Sarcastically.] Had you left the key of the box on the table?

Daisy. 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.

George. How do you know Harry received the letters this morning?

Daisy. Lee Tai said he would.

George. In Kalgan?

Daisy. Yes.

George. How did he know Harry was in Kalgan?

Daisy. The Chinese know all one's movements.

George. 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.

Daisy. [Casually.] Well, it appears I wasn't.

George. How do you suppose Lee Tai found out something that Harry had particularly told you to keep quiet about?

Daisy. How can I tell? He may have found out from the amah for all I know.

George. Surely you hadn't told her?

Daisy. Of course not. She may have read the letter. She always does read my letters.

George. Can she read English?

Daisy. Enough to find out about other people's business.

George. Why should she have told Lee Tai?

Daisy. I suppose he bribed her. She'd do anything for a hundred dollars.

George. Not if it would do you harm.

Daisy. She's not so devoted to me as all that.

George. She's your mother, Daisy.

Daisy. [Quickly.] How d'you know?

George. Harry told me.

Daisy. I thought he was too ashamed of it to do that.

George. [Persistently.] How did Lee Tai know that Harry was in Kalgan?