East of Suez: A Play in Seven Scenes. Maugham William Somerset

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СКАЧАТЬ 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.

      Knox. Straight from the shoulder. Take the count, old man.

      Harry. [Frigidly.] Oughtn't you to be going?

      Knox. [Smiling.] No, but I will.

      Harry. I'm sorry if I was rude to you just now, old man.

      Knox. Silly ass, you've broken no bones; my self-esteem, thank God, is unimpaired. [He goes out.

      Harry. I say, I'm awfully glad you're back, George. You can't think how I miss you when you're away.

      George. As soon as the shooting starts we'll try and get two or three days together in the country.

      Harry. Yes, that would be jolly. [Calling.] Wu.

      Wu. [Outside.] Ye'.

      Harry. Bring tea for three.

      George. Who is the third?

      Harry. When you said you could come round I asked somebody I want you very much to meet.

      George. Who is that?

      Harry. Mrs. Rathbone … I'm going to be married to her and we want you to be our best man.

      George. Harry.

      Harry. [Boyishly.] I thought you'd be surprised.

      George. My dear old boy, I am so glad. I hope you'll be awfully happy.

      Harry. I'm awfully happy now.

      George. Why have you kept it so dark?

      Harry. 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…

      George. Is she a widow?

      Harry. Yes, she was married to an American in the F. M. S.

      George. Is she American?

      Harry. Only by marriage. I'm afraid she didn't have a very happy married life.

      George. Poor thing. I think I'd take a small bet that you won't beat her.

      Harry. I mean to try my best to make her happy.

      George. You old fool, I've never known a man who was likely to make a better husband.

      Harry. I'm most awfully in love with her, George.

      George. Isn't that ripping? How old is she?

      Harry. Only twenty-two. She's the loveliest thing you ever saw.

      George. And is she in love with you?

      Harry. She says so.

      George. She damned well ought to be.

      Harry. I do hope you'll like her, George.

      George. Of course I shall. You're not the sort of chap to fall in love with a woman who isn't nice.

      [Harry walks up and down for a moment restlessly.

      Harry. Will you have a whisky and soda?

      George. No, thanks … I'll wait for tea.

      Harry. She ought to be here in a moment. [Suddenly making up his mind.] It's no good beating about the bush. I may as well tell you at once. Her – her mother was Chinese.

      George. [Unable to conceal his dismay.] Oh, Harry. [A pause.] I wish I hadn't said all that I did just now.

      Harry. Of course you didn't know.

      George. [Gravely.] I should have had to say something very like it, Harry. But I shouldn't have put it so bluntly.

      Harry. You said yourself there were exceptions.

      George. I know. [Distressed.] Won't your people be rather upset?

      Harry. I don't see how it can matter to them. They're nine thousand miles away.

      George. Who was her father?

      Harry. Oh, he was a merchant. He's dead. And her mother is too.

      George. That's something. I don't think you'd much like having a Chinese mother-in-law about the place.

      Harry. George, you won't let it make any difference, will you? We've known one another all our lives.

      George. 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.

      Harry. Wait till you see her. She's the most fascinating thing you ever met.

      George. 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.

      Harry. Why didn't you?

      George. 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.

      Harry. It's different for you. You're in the service and you may be Minister one of these days. I'm only a merchant.

      George. Even for you there'll be difficulties, you know. Has it occurred to you that the white ladies won't be very nice?

      Harry. I can do without their society.

      George. 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.

      Harry. If you'll stick to me I don't care.

      George. I suppose you've absolutely made up your mind?

      Harry. Absolutely.

      George. 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.

      Harry. You're a brick, George.

      George. The little lady ought to be here, oughtn't she?

      Harry. I think I hear her on the stairs.

      [He goes to the entrance and then out. Wu brings in the tea and sets it on the table. George walks over to the parapet and looks thoughtfully before him. There is a sound of voices in the adjoining room.

      Harry. [Outside.] Come in; he's on the verandah.

      Daisy. [Outside.] One brief look in the glass and then I'm ready.

      [Harry enters.

      Harry. СКАЧАТЬ