Delphi Collected Works of W. Somerset Maugham (Illustrated)

by William Somerset Maugham

  [There is a pause. Suddenly George gives Lee Tai a scrutinizing glance.

  George. What is your name?

  Lee Tai. [With a thin, amused smile.] Lee Tai Cheng.

  George. [With a frigid politeness.] I’m sure you are very busy, Mr. Lee. I won’t detain you any longer.

  Lee Tai. [Still smiling.] I wish you a good day.

  [He bows slightly and shakes his own hands in the Chinese manner. He goes out. He leaves behind him an impression that is at once ironic and sinister.

  George. What the devil is he doing here?

  Daisy. [Amused.] He came to make me an offer of marriage. I pointed out to him that I was married already.

  George. [Not without irritation.] How did he know you were here?

  Daisy. He made it his business to find out.

  George. Does he know that...?

  Daisy. [Coolly.] You know China better than most Englishmen. You know that the white man can do nothing without the Chinese knowing it. But they won’t tell other white men unless — unless it’s to their advantage to do so.

  George. You told me that this house belonged to the amah.

  Daisy. [Smiling.] That was a slight exaggeration.

  George. You put it very mildly.

  Daisy. You said you wouldn’t come to the temple. It meant finding some place where we could meet or never seeing you at all.

  George. [Sombrely.] We began with deceit and with deceit we’ve continued.

  Daisy. [Tenderly.] There’s no deceit in my love, George. After all, our love is the only thing that matters.

  George. [With a certain awkwardness.] I’m afraid I’ve kept you waiting. André Leroux came to see me just as I was leaving the Legation.

  Daisy. [Remembering.] I know. Mrs. Stopfort’s young man.

  George. He said he knew Mrs. Stopfort’s friends were rather anxious about her future and he wanted them to know that he was going to marry her as soon as she was free.

  Daisy. Oh!

  George. Of course it’s the only decent thing to do, but I wasn’t sure if he’d see it. He’s a very good fellow. [With a smile.] He spent at least half an hour telling me how he adored Mrs. Stopfort.

  Daisy. [Good-humouredly.] Oh, you know I’m not the sort of woman to grouse because you’re a little late. I can always occupy myself by thinking how wonderful it will be to see you. And if I get bored with that I read your letters again.

  George. I shouldn’t have thought they were worth that.

  Daisy. I think I have every word you have ever written to me — those old letters of ten years ago and the little notes you write to me now. Even though they’re only two or three lines, saying you’ll come here or can’t come, they’re precious to me.

  George. But do you keep them here?

  Daisy. Yes, they’re safe here. They’re locked up in that box. Only amah has the key of this room ... George.

  George. Yes.

  Daisy. Will you do something for me?

  George. If I can.

  Daisy. Will you dine here to-night? Amah will get us a lovely little dinner.

  George. Oh, my dear, I can’t! I’ve got an official dinner that I can’t possibly get out of.

  Daisy. Oh, how rotten!

  George. But I thought Harry was coming back this morning. He’s been gone a week already.

  Daisy. I had a letter saying he had to go on to Kalgan. But don’t say anything about it. He told me I was to keep it a secret.

  George. He must hate having to be away so much as he’s been lately. The death of that man Gregson has upset things rather.

  Daisy. [Smiling.] I wish I could thank Gregson for the good turn he did us by dying at the psychological moment.

  George. [Dryly.] I don’t suppose that was his intention.

  Daisy. Except for that Harry would have insisted on going to Chung-king. Now there’s no possibility of that for at least a year.

  George. I suppose not.

  Daisy. We’ve got a year before us, George, a whole year. And in a year anything can happen.

  George. [Gravely.] Do you never have any feeling that we’ve behaved rottenly to Harry?

  Daisy. I? I’ve been happy for the first time in my life. At last I’ve known peace and rest. Oh, George, I’m so grateful for all you’ve given me! In these three months you’ve changed the whole world for me. I thought I couldn’t love you more than I did. I think every day my love grows more consuming.

  George. [With a sigh.] I’ve never known a single moment’s happiness.

  Daisy. That’s not true. When I’ve held you in my arms I’ve looked into your eyes and I’ve seen.

  George. Oh, I know. There’ve been moments of madness in which I forgot everything but that I loved you. I’m a low rotten cad. No one could despise me more than I despise myself. I’ve loved you so that there was room for nothing else in my soul. Waking and sleeping you’ve obsessed me.

  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?