Delphi Collected Works of W. Somerset Maugham (Illustrated)

by William Somerset Maugham

Daisy. [To George.] Have we?

  George. I hope so. But now I think I must bolt. I have a long Chinese document to translate. [Holding out his hand to Daisy.] I hope you’ll both be very happy.

  Daisy. I think I’m going to like you.

  George. Good-bye, Harry, old man.

  Harry. I shall see you later on in the club, sha’n’t I?

  George. If I can get through my work.

  [He goes out.

  Harry. What have you and George been talking about?

  Daisy. We discussed the house. It’ll be great fun buying the things for it.

  Harry. I could have killed that old Chink for keeping me so long. I grudge every minute that I spend away from you.

  Daisy. It’s nice to be loved.

  Harry. You do love me a little, don’t you?

  Daisy. A little more than a little, my lamb.

  Harry. I wish I were more worth your while. You’ve made me feel so dissatisfied with myself. I’m such a rotter.

  Daisy. You’re not going to disagree with me already.

  Harry. What about?

  Daisy. About you. I think you’re a perfect duck.

  [The Amah appears.

  Harry. Hulloa, who’s this?

  Daisy. Oh, it’s my amah.

  Harry. I didn’t recognize her for a moment.

  Daisy. She doesn’t approve of my being alone with strange gentlemen. She looks after me as if I was a child of ten.

  Amah. Velly late, missy Daisy. Time you come along.

  Harry. Oh, nonsense.

  Daisy. She wants me to go and be fitted. She never lets me go out in Peking alone.

  Harry. She’s quite right.

  Daisy. Amah, come and be introduced to the gentleman. He’s going to be your master now.

  Amah. [Smiling, with little nods.] Velly nice gentleman. You keep missy Daisy old amah — yes? Velly good amah — yes?

  Daisy. She’s been with me ever since I was a child.

  Harry. Of course we’ll keep her. She was with you when you were in Singapore?

  Daisy. [With a little sigh.] Yes, I don’t know what I should have done without her sometimes.

  Harry. Oh, Daisy, I do want to make you forget all the unhappiness you have suffered.

  [He takes her in his arms and kisses her on the lips. The Amah chuckles to herself silently.

  END OF SCENE II.

  SCENE III

  Scene: 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.

  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. Daisy stands outside the sanctuary door, on the steps, listlessly. The Amah is squatting by her side. 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.

  Daisy comes down the steps and sits on one of the lower ones. She is dreadfully bored.

  Amah. What is the matter with my pletty one?

  Daisy. What should be the matter?

  Amah. [With a snigger.] Hi, hi. Old amah got velly good eyes in her head.

  Daisy. [As though talking to herself.] 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.

  Amah. 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?

  Daisy. They say life is short. Good God, how long the days are.

  Amah. 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?

  Daisy. I never said I wasn’t happy.

  Amah. Hi, hi.

  Daisy. If you laugh like that I’ll kill you.

  Amah. You no kill old amah. You want old amah. I got something velly pletty for my little Daisy flower.

  Daisy. Don’t be an old fool. I’m not a child any more. [Desperately.] I’m growing older, older, older. And every day is just like every other day. I might as well be dead.

  Amah. Look this pletty present old amah have got.

  [She takes a jade necklace out of her sleeve and puts it, smiling, into Daisy’s hand.

  Daisy. [With sudden vivacity,] Oh, what a lovely chain. It’s beautiful jade. How much do they want for it?

  Amah. It’s a present for my little Daisy.

  Daisy. For me? It must have cost five hundred dollars. Who is it from?

  Amah. To-day is my little Daisy’s wedding-day. She have married one year. Perhaps old amah want to give her little flower present.

  Daisy. YOU! Have you ever given me anything but a beating?

  Amah. Lee Tai Cheng pay me necklace and say you give to Daisy.

  Daisy. You old hag. [She flings the necklace away violently.]

  Amah. You silly. Worth plenty money. You no wanchee, I sell rich Amelican.

  [She is just going after the necklace, when Daisy catches her violently by the arm.

  Daisy. How dare you? How dare you? I told you that you were never to let Lee Tai speak to you again.

  Amah. You very angry, Daisy. You very angry before, but you go back to Lee Tai; he think perhaps you go back again.

  Daisy. 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.

  Amah. Hi, hi.

  Daisy. 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.

  Amah. What would my little Daisy do without old amah, hi, hi? What for you no talkee true? You think old amah no got eyes? [With a cunning, arch look.] I got something make you very glad. [She takes a note out of her sleeve.]

  Daisy. What’s that?

  Amah. I got letter.

  Daisy. [Snatching it from her.] Give it me. How dare you hide it?

  Amah. Have come when you long Harry. I think perhaps you no wanchee read when Harry there. [Daisy tears it open.] What he say?

  Daisy. [Reading.] “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.”

  Amah. Is that all?

  Daisy. “Yours ever. George Conway.”

  Amah. You love him very much, George Conway?

  Daisy. [Taking no notice of her, passionately.] At last. I haven’t seen him for ten days. Ten mortal days. Oh, I want him. I want him.

  Amah. Why you no talkee old amah?

  Daisy. [Desperately.] 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.

  Amah. You see, you want old amah.

  Daisy. Oh, I’m so unhappy. I think I shall go mad.

  Amah. Sh, sh. Perhaps he love you too.

  Daisy. 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?

  Amah. Sh. Don’t let him see. Give amah the letter.

  [She snatches it from Daisy and hides it in her dress as Harry comes in. Daisy pulls herself together.

  Harry. I say, Daisy, I’ve just had the ponies saddled. Put on
your habit and let’s go for a ride.

  Daisy. I’ve got a headache.

  Harry. Oh, my poor child. Why don’t you lie down?

  Daisy. I thought I was better in the air. But there’s no reason why you shouldn’t ride.

  Harry. Oh, no, I won’t ride without you.

  Daisy. 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.

  Harry. The boy can do that.

  Daisy. [Trying to conceal her growing exasperation.] Please do as I ask. I’d rather you went.

  Harry. [Laughing.] Of course if you’re so anxious to get rid of me....

  Daisy. [Smiling.] 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.

  Harry. I’ll go. Give me a kiss before I do. [She puts up her lips to his.] I’m almost ashamed of myself, I’m just as madly in love with you as the day we were married.

  Daisy. You are a dear. Have a nice ride, and when you come back I shall be all right.

  Harry. That’s ripping. I shan’t be very long.

  [He goes out. The lightness, the smile, with which she has spoken to Harry disappear as he goes, and she looks worried and anxious.

  Daisy. Supposing they meet?

  Amah. No can. Harry go out back way.

  Daisy. Yes, I suppose he will. I wish he’d be quick. [Violently.] I must see George.

  Amah. [Picking up the necklace.] Velly pletty necklace. You silly girl. Why you no take?

  Daisy. Oh, damn, why can’t you leave me alone? [Listening.] What on earth is Harry doing? I thought the pony was saddled.

  Amah. [Looking at the necklace.] What shall I do with this?

  Daisy. Throw it in the dust-bin.

  Amah. Lee Tai no likee that very much.

  Daisy. [Hearing the sound of the pony, with a sigh of relief.] He’s gone. Now I’m safe. Where’s my bag? [She takes a little mirror out of it and looks at herself.] I look perfectly hideous.

  Amah. Don’t be silly. You velly pletty girl.

  Daisy. [Her ears all alert.] There’s someone riding along.

  Amah. That not pony. That Peking cart.

  Daisy. 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. [To the Amah, stamping her foot.] What are you waiting for? I don’t want you here now, and don’t listen, d’you hear. Get out, get out.

  Amah. All-light. My go away.

  [The Amah slinks away. Daisy stands waiting for George, holding her hands to her heart as though to stop the anguish of its beating. She makes a great effort at self-control as George enters. He is in riding kit. He has a bunch of orchids in his hand.

  George. Hulloa, what are you doing here?

  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?

  George. For God’s sake ... [He stops.] Heaven knows, I don’t want to be unkind to you.

  Daisy. Then why do you treat me as an outcast? Oh, it’s cruel, cruel.

  [George is excessively distressed. He walks up and down, frowning. He cannot bear to look at Daisy and he speaks with hesitation.

  George. 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? [His embarrassment, the distraction of his tone, and the way the halting words fall unwillingly from his lips have betrayed the truth to Daisy. She does not speak, she does not stir, she looks at him with great shining eyes. She hardly dares to breathe.] 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.

  [He hurries away with averted face. Daisy stands motionless, erect; she is almost transfigured. She draws a long breath.

  Daisy. Oh, God! He loves me.

  [She takes the orchids he has brought her and crushes them to her heart. The Amah appears.

  Amah. You wantchee buy Manchu dress, Daisy?

  Daisy. Go away.

  Amah. Velly cheap. You look see. No likee, no buy.

  Daisy. [Impatiently.] I’m sick of curio-dealers.

  Amah. Velly pletty Manchu dresses.

  [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. It is Lee Tai Cheng. He is 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. Daisy has taken no notice of him. Suddenly she sees that a man, with his back turned to her, is there.

  Daisy. [To the Amah.] I told you I would
n’t see the man. Send him away at once.

  Lee Tai. [Turning round, with a sly smile.] You look see. No likee, no buy.

  Daisy. [With a start of surprise and dismay.] Lee!

  Lee Tai. [Coming forward coolly.] Good afternoon, Daisy.

  Daisy. [Recovering herself.] 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?

  Lee Tai. A curio-dealer can come and go and no one wonders.

  Amah. Lee Tai velly clever man.

  Daisy. Give me that chain. [The Amah takes it out of her sleeve and gives it to her. Daisy flings it contemptuously at Lee Tai’s feet.] Take it. Pack up your things and go. If you ever dare to show your face here again, I’ll tell my husband.

  Lee Tai. [With a chuckle.] What will you tell him? Don’t you be a silly girl, Daisy.

  Daisy. What do you want?

  Lee Tai. [Coolly.] You.

  Daisy. Don’t you know that I loathe you? You disgust me.

  Lee Tai. 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.

  Daisy. You beast.

  Lee Tai. 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.

  Daisy. You liar.

  Lee Tai. Leave this stupid white man. What is he to you?

  Daisy. He is my husband.

  Lee Tai. 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.

  Daisy. I’m very comfortable in Peking, thank you.

  Lee Tai. [Snapping his fingers.] 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?

  Amah. 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?

  Daisy. [Impatiently.] Don’t be such a fool.

  Amah. 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.