"You wait here while I take care of mother." "Please, may I ?" "I thought you said you couldn't come to the wedding." "I was afraid if I said yes you would make me an usher." "You're coming to the party." "Oh, I don't know." "Of course, come on in." "All right." "Was I all right, Katrin ?" "You were very sweet." "My voice sounded so queer when I gave the answers." "Like it wasn't my own." "They got you married, so don't worry." "Katrin, you like Heinrich now, don't you ?" "I adore Heinrich." "He looked wise in his clothes, didn't he ?" "Just like a fashion play." "You don't still think his hair stands up like a porcupine ?" "No." "You made him look like a dream." "You could make a gentleman out of Fritz if you wanted." "Oh, you think so ?" "Yes, I do." "Or Gene or even Thomas." "Think of all the pork chops I could have if I married Thomas." "And all the nice bridge if it were with Gene." "Katrin, you're awful." "And don't forget Herr Blucher." "Mother thinks a banker is so substantial." "Maybe now that I'm gone father could afford to send you to Paris." "You know, it ought to be different there." "Don't you worry about me." "I'll have a statue made of me." "The oldest inhabitant in the little quaint town of Gratz." "Isn't it strange, Katrin ?" "Soon I'll be leaving this house never to live here again." "But you'll be near." "And you'll like it so much better when you're not living." "Living in it." "Oh, I forgot." "My present for you." "But don't you tell mother." "She'll think it is wicked." "Oh, it's lovely.But isn't it ?" "Wicked ?" "Of course it's wicjed." "Are you ready, Olga ?" "Yes." "Don't you think she should take a hot water bottle along ?" "They say it's freezing cold in those mountains." "I've already put the hot water bottle in, mother." "And the cotton for her ears and the flannel night gown." "All that the bride will need." "Let me look at you !" "My baby !" "She hasn't slept out of this room one single night in 18 years." "Don't worry, mother." "I'll stay with you for another 25 years." "That's no joke." "If you keep on turning up your nose at every man you'll..." "Now, mother." "Are you ready, baby ?" "Yes, papa." "Well, well she's ready to leave us." "She hasn't been away from us..." "A single night in 18 years." "Are you all ready, darling ?" "You're sure you haven't forgotten anything ?" "Yes, papa." "I'm all ready." "All right." "But if you have, you just write to us and we'll send it to you." "You'll take good care of her, won't you ?" "I'll do that, fraulein Katrin." "The car is waiting." "It won't catch us if we don't hurry." "Come on, mother." "Hurry up." "Come with us to the crossroads." "No, darling." "Let's say goodbye here where we once grew up together." "Hurry Olga !" "Ohhh !" "I am so sorry !" "Did I hurt you ?" "I'm so sorry !" "I was waiting for your father." "He's there." "Yes, I see him." "It's raining." "So it is." "No, I mean it's raining and he's got an umbrella." "Not really ?" "No, I mean it's open and he isn't using it." "Oh, poor father doesn't even know it's raining." "You'll be frightfully lonely, I dare say." "Yes." "Well, we decided that the other evening." "Sorry." "Oh, yes, so we did, didn't we ?" "Yes, so we did." "Stupid of me to forget." "And how are the 13 guinea pigs ?" "They're doing nicely." "And the white mice ?" "They're doing nice too and they're forever immune from yellow fever." "I'm sure they're grateful." "I must have bored you terribly." "I certainly was well educated in that very short time." "I promise not to do it again." "No, no, pour some more wine for yourselves." "Goodbye." "Goodbye." "My goodness, my goodness." "What do they want of me ?" "I'm not the bride." "Oh, Katrin, thank heavens that's all over." "I don't mean because my little girl went away, you know." "I'm dizzy in the head." "Of course you're glad she's gone." "I see tears of happiness." "Look at your glasses." "You can't see through glasses when they're wet, you know." "It's the rain." "Oh, certainly." "Well, Walter, what about some work ?" "Why, Dr. Fane might like to stay and dance with the girls tonight." "He may not want to work." "Walter not want to work ?" "In all my years at the University never a pupil like that." "You don't want to dance, do you, Walter ?" "Oh, no." "I prefer to work." "Of course." "He brings me problems all the way from China and then I have weddings." "We'll leave the dancing for the young people." "I'm so happy I still have you, Katrin." "Come along, Walter." "So long." "So long." "How long are you going to keep that light on, Katrin." "It's after midnight." "I was reading, mother." "I forgot the time." "I'll go to bed right now." "It's time you got some sleep." "Oh, I'll sleep." "I wonder where Olga is." "I guess she's asleep, mother." "She's in the Alps by now, I suppose." "No." "I think she must have passed the Alps by now," "Heinrich is a good boy." "He works hard too." "He'll make Olga a good husband." "And a good husband is what every girl..." "Well what more do you want than a good husband, I'd like to know ?" "Must he be good, mother ?" "It's not very exciting to be good." "Katrin, go to sleep !" "Did you love father very much when you married him ?" "What a question." "Of course I did." "Your father was a fine man." "A brilliant one, wasn't he ?" "He took a prize every year at the University." "Handsome too, wasn't he ?" "Wasn't he ?" "He was as fine a figure..." "He was as fine a..." "Don't you want me to wait for a man like father ?" "You hungry too ?" "Oh, a cup of tea." "Where do they keep tea ?" "I suppose in some kind of a box." "But don't bother." "Oh, you British and your tea." "Ah, here's some real food." "How did this escape the celebration ?" "And beer !" "You'll have some of this ?" "It'll stick to your ribs." "Tea !" "Bah !" "I've had tea in this house every day for 3 weeks." "Darn racket." "Did we wake you up ?" "No, I wasn't asleep." "So what are you looking for ?" "Tea for Johnny Bull." "Tea ?" "Excuse me, Dr. Fane." "Tea !" "When did everybody go ?" "Hours ago." "So sorry to bother you." "Not at all." "I'll make you some tea." "You go to bed, father." "Whay aren't you asleep ?" "I don't know." "I was thinking, I guess." "You should sleep so you could think tomorrow." "Oh, my, my." "No Olga in the house." "I'm forgotten." "Good night." "Good night, sir." "Good night, Katrin." "Good night, father." "Oh... you take your beer, but not this." "You know it makes you unhappy." "Hmm... no Olga, no liverwurst." "This kitchen is a mess." "Is it really ?" "The whole house is stuffy." "I'm going to get a breath of air." "Why don't you go upstairs ?" "I'll bring you the tea." "I'd like a breath of air too." "Well the water has to boil." "They say the more you want it to the more it takes." "It's lovely isn't it ?" "Yes, quite." "There were only two tiny stars a little while ago." "And now, millions." "Just like your little Chinese bugs." "Yes, quite." "Oh, quite." "You must think me a silly sort of..." "Yes, quite." "Oh, I say now !" "Allow it, you think you are." "On such a beautiful night to be worrying about big scientific problems." "Quite." "Oh, I say now !" "I suppose I am." "Well, I don't know." "To be able to have something to absorb oneself must be... better than to have nothing to absorb oneself." "I really wanted to stay for the fun." "When are you going back with your Chinese family ?" "Very soon." "This weekend." "Oh, so soon ?" "I've stayed too long now." "The vacation is over." "I envy you going over there." "Strange." "I didn't dream you'd like it." "I was sure you wouldn't." "Oh, but I do." "I like China very much." "I like America, too." "I like all the places I haven't been." "Miss Koerber, will you marry me ?" "Oh, no, of course you won't." "I didn't think you would." "I mean..." "You can't be serious." "I know there isn't a chance, but I..." "You see, I can't think clearly of anything else." "I..." "I love you so much." "You love me ?" "But you hardly know me." "I fell in love with you the very first time I saw you." "I think you were 12 years old." "You didn't ask me then." "You didn't even remember we went to school together." "Oh, yes I do." "You had a funny accent, a wire round your teeth and... you always knew your conjugations." "I know I said it abominably, but I'm surprised myself that I said it at all." "It's just true... and very deep... and, well that's how it is." "Do you mind if I think this thing over while you are having your tea ?" "Do you mind very much if I change from tea to scotch and soda ?" "There, I got a good one." "I'm sorry, you didn't get it." "No ?" "What did I forget ?" "You were too busy." "You should have left this one alone." " Do you want that banquet ?" " Yes." "Now watch." "Did you take it already ?" "Hmm." "Thank you." "I'm afraid Olga won't believe anything of all this unless I send her something to look at." "Well, now you have evidence of the entire trip." "Genoa, Naples, Xanghai." "Hong Kong." "I suppose you've done this trip so often it doesn't mean very much to you." "Well, my dear, you're wrong." "On my own just meant I had more time for reading." "Fane, what are all those boats there ?" "People live in them." "All the time ?" "About 75,000 people live just like that." "Well, where are we going to live ?" "Do you see what I'm looking ?" "I'm looking right at the house." "Way up there ?" "Way up there." "I never thought much about it before." "Just a house." "What are you thinking about ?" "I'd like to know." "Our house." "My old home, us, everything." "All at once." "Happy ?" "I'm excited." "Is that happy ?" "I hope so." "And you ?" "Never a man so happy." "Anywhere." "in the New World or the Old." "There's Fane !" "Welcome home, Doctor." "How are you, Doctor ?" "My assistants." "Nice chaps." "Oh..." "After you, mum." "Hello, old man." "Hello, Somerset." "So glad to see you." "May I introduce to you Dr. Somerset, my wife, Shay Key Fong, Dr. Yong Jo." "Oh, charmed, welcome, and all that sort of thing, you know." "Thank you." "How should I say ?" "You say "here, here." Here, here." "He always looking for specimens." "They not always so beautiful." "That's not bad." "Have you got a car ?" "Yes, Townsend is looking for you." "He wants to see you at once." "I will report as soon as I can." "I know, sir." "But I'm afraid it's imperative." "Inoculations and all that sort of thing, you know." "He's over here, sir." "Do you mind waiting a few minutes ?" "So sorry." "Would you take my wife to the car ?" "Delighted." "Which way do we go ?" "This way, sir." "Townsend." "Oh, I'm so glad you finally got here." "Thanks, what's up ?" "Replacements are singleing." "Special orders from the medical department." "My old friend cholera ?" "I'm afraid so." "Any reports from Semelin ?" "Nothing definite." "Two cases, but no charts." "Hello, Simmons." "How are you ?" "Have we definite orders to immunize these ?" "Yes." "Ampoule, please." "Hello, doctor." "Dead vibrio suspended from a saline solution, I suppose." "Instructions from the medical department." "You see, this is the old formula." "I have a serum that sustains permanently." "I've proved it." "This one will only last a few months." "You're wasting time with it." "I'm proceeding under instructions." "Yes, I know." "Just a moment." "I think I'm going to ask you to suspend all this and perhaps you'll appear with me before... the medical board." "I do want to make the change." "I think it's important." "Dr. Simmons ?" "If Dr. Fane says it is, it is." "All right." "Shall we agree about it ?" "Right." "Yes, my wife's waiting." "Your what ?" "My wife." "You haven't heard ?" "I have not." "When and how and where ?" "Just before I came away." "In Gratz and in the usual manner." "Well, of all people to get married." "I thought you were an unreclaimed bachelor." "No, I'm quite definitely reclaimed, it seems." "Let me congratulate you." "Thanks." "There's my claimant." "Well, let me take back my perfunctory congratulations." "I thought you were lost." "Dear, this is Mr. Townsend." "Attachée to our Embassy here." "May I welcome you, Mrs. Fane." "Thank you." "I suppose the first thing I should do is apologize." "Apologize for what, Mr. Townsend ?" "Well, for putting prosaic stumbling blocks in your way before you'd really set foot amongst us." "I wouldn't call it excitement for sake." "Oh, that's very nice." "I was expecting to see an English girl." "I don't know why, but..." "Austrian." "Shall we go home ?" "Are you finished." "Yes, for the time being." "Do you mind if I carry one of these ?" "Very kind of you." "What time at the medical department ?" "I'll give you a little time." "After what I did just now." "Mrs. Fane, will you try to get him give us a little attention." "And by the way, Mrs. Townsend I'm quite sure will want to see you and introduce you to the rest of the colony." "It'll be very nice, thank you." "Maybe now that you're here your husband won't be so scornful of all of us." "Has he been ?" "Has he ?" "Have you ever seen the club, Walter ?" "Yes, of course I have." "Twice." "One, let me see, about 5 years ago." "I've forgotten the second time." "We'll have to change all that now." "I'll have Mrs. Townsend bring you up presently." "I'll be delighted." "Thank you so much." "Very nice of you, Townsend." "Goodbye." "Goodbye." "Dear, I forgot to ask you." "Do you play bridge ?" "I'm sorry, I don't." "Polo ?" "I'm afraid you'll have lots of things to learn." "You are perfectly right." "You are second hand and you can bid that." "Rank poison." "The advice isn't sound." "She had the perfect right to pass it." "But she only made bid two and made five." "Oh, that's medieval." "Don't you let them get you off on the wrong foot." "The logic, my dear is inevitable, absolutely." "Only moronic idiots bother about it." "Look here." "In 100 hand, passing will be right 99 times." "That is obsolete." "Let me explain, Mrs. Fane, look..." "Here's another of your mates." "They'll get on together." "How are you getting on ?" "They've been very patient with me." "That's just the first stage." "Wouldn't you like to see the ponies ?" "Oh, should I ?" "Please." "Hey, Coldchester, you play." "Meek as a lamb, my dear boy." "Don't forget we're dining with the governor at 8, Jack." "Thank you so much." "What for, my husband ?" "See, they're at it already." "But these people are so calm." "Your polo was so exciting." "No, really ?" "Didn't you find it so ?" "I do at this moment." "What about that bridge game ?" "I was the crazy one." "Thanks for the rescue." "Well, this is fine, thank you." "For what ?" "All these things were done before you came." "But suddenly they've come to life." "Extravagant." "Of course, why not ?" "Is that your dog ?" "Yes, but he lives at the stables, scorns society and his name is Prince." "Clever dog." "See ?" "He's inviting you to see his outfit." "I accept with pleasure." "Come on, then." "Tell me, which one was so mad this afternoon ?" "That was Haffirt." "Right here." "What did you call him ?" "Haffirt is the gentleman's name." "Haffirt ?" "How do you spell it ?" "H-A-F-F-I-R-T." "Why, that's Arabian, isn't it ?" "Yes, I bred him about 7 years ago." "Oh, have you known him all his life ?" "Why, he's cross, no ?" "No, he doesn't mean to be." "You're not afraid, are you ?" "No, no." "He's wonderful." "You ought to come down here some night and hear him tell the rest of the ponies about his Arabian ancestry." "Yes, he'll tell me." "I'd love to hear it." "Have you been here 7 years ?" "Oh, heavens, no." "He was born in Egypt." "He could tell you about India, Australia, Canada..." "In fact we've been milords and seen milords, haven't we ?" "Where do you like it best ?" "Here ?" "That's easy." "He answers for me." "Whoa, there." "What's going on back here ?" "What's the matter with you ?" "Get back over there." "Go on !" "There you are, now." "There you are." "Just the same as usual, sir." "Quite hard to handle." "You know, this is the bad boy of the stable, this one." "Now just a moment." "Here, now you make him your friend." "Bribe him." "No, not like that." "Here you are." "That's the way." "You swine, you spat on the lady." "Oh, I'm so sorry." "I didn't anticipate that." "Thank you." "I think that clears up the business somewhat." "Well, it was my own fault anyway." "I'm so sorry." "I imagine I'd better go back now." "Is the doctor calling for you ?" "Yes." "You will come again some time, won't you ?" "I'd love to, thank you so much." "You know, it's fun showing you things you haven't seen before." "I haven't seen very much, you know." "Haven't you been about the place ?" "Hong Kong ?" "The shops." "I Haven't ventured much." "Do you know there are people who've lived in China for 10 years and don't realize they're here ?" "Why ?" "don't they care to see things ?" "Do you ?" "Oh, I simply must." "Would you make me a list of places and things ?" "I'll do nothing of the kind." "Certainly not." "Have you any idea how seldom I see anyone getting a thrill out of anything ?" "Really ?" "Yes." "That's why I want to be right beside you." "Well, I don't want to impose on you." "What are you laughing at ?" "Well, we won't worry about that." "You catch this piece." "Very nice." "No, not that one." "Oh, yes..." "This nice piece, too." "No, no." "He's not showing you his treasures." "These clever lads know most people aren't familiar with things Chinese." "Where is he taking us ?" "We never can tell in China." "Oh, how beautiful What are they ?" "White poppies." "You like ?" "Yes." "But there are so many beautiful things." "One more than usual, huh ?" "Oh, yes." "Very much." "Very much." "You see anything you like come see me." "Thank you." "You see ?" "They trust us." "Oriental confidence in us is admirable." "Exquisite." "They smell so nice." "Why not ?" "They're magic." "Magic ?" "You see, the princess died of a broken heart." "These came up from her grave and put a spell on her enemies." "China seems to be full of spells." "You've noticed that too." "They seem to be the reason for everything." "The only inconvenience here is that when these spells attack you there are only yellow ladies around." "Or fat wives of British officials." "However, things have been looking up this last week." "Have they ?" "They have." "I haven't been subject to spells, so..." "There's a very potent one around." "I can't seem to be able to throw it off." "Weren't you going to show me the curios ?" "Yes, so I was, yes." "Well, I don't seem to see anything very interesting." "What a pity." "Perhaps you appreciate the wrong things." "I think you're the most curious curio in all China." "Really ?" "I don't find myself very curious." "Oh, I was overcome by curiosity ever since that day at the docks." "Well, I don't want you to be overcome." "What would you like to know about me ?" "May I really ask some questions ?" "I don't see why not." "Oh, I don't dare." "The first one might be impudent." "Well ask the second one then." "All right..." "If you are in love and then why ?" "I might ask you the same question about your own life." "Very well, I'll answer." "I'm not, never have been and see no reason why..." "I didn't ask the question so I'm not interested in the answers." "And I observe you didn't answer yours." "I'm very much in love." "Although love requires no explanations." "I have every reason to be." "Now are you satisfied ?" "Oh, yes." "Quite." "Shall we go on with the curios ?" "Here we have a very ancient Chinese poem." "Want me to read it to you ?" "Yes." "Her lips uttered strange sounds which her eyes denied." "Doesn't one read Chinese downward ?" "Oh, yes." "So one does." "Her eyes denied the strange sounds which her lips uttered." "It's very uninteresting." "Oh, it gets better and better." "Her wrath is consuming... and her fury knoweth no limit." "It's a good poem." "Very authentic." "Strange." "The spell still lingers." "Perhaps you need drastic treatment." "Usually the patient under the spell should be left alone." "Oh, no." "Wait, please." "The spell is broken, really." "I didn't mean a word of it." "I knew you didn't." "Oh, but I did." "I meant all of it." "Well..." "Thank you." "But I'm still furious." "Are you ?" "How could you ?" "I could." "Is Dr. Fane home ?" "No, Missy, no home." "Oh, Missy, Master telephone." "He say very busy." "So sorry." "Not coming home for dinner ?" "No, Missy." "He very busy." "All time busy, busy." "Maybe tomorrow not busy." "You like undress now, Missy ?" "Just put it down." "I'll dress myself." "All right." "Dinner at 7 o'clock ?" "Whenever you are ready." "All right." "Any time" "Take it away, please." "The plate." "Take it away." "It makes me feel rather lonely." "Yes, Missy." "Excuse, please, Missy." "All boys run away." "Big festival." "Ceremony." "Yes, I understand." "Looks very nice, Amah." "Oh, very nice." "Pretty." "Very pretty." "Unspeakable pretty." "Unspeakable." "Yes, yes." "Chinese holiday." "Sun, money, moon." "Dancing ?" "Oh, yes." "Very much." "Music, too." "Yes, I know." "I can hear it." "Holiday music." "Yes, Dr. Fane told me all about it." "You seem to be like the Chinese guards, Mr. Townsend." "Everywhere one turns." "I was just admiring your garden." "Do you like it ?" "Oh, very much." "I'm sure my husband will be very pleased." "Do you think so ?" "I don't, somehow." "Well, ask him if you like." "I can't." "I just left him." "He was looking very scientific." "It should take hours." "So I came along and thought I might take you to the festival." "So nice of you." "Now, if I'm awfully sorry about this afternoon, may I take you ?" "Are you awfully sorry ?" "No, not awfully." "Well..." "Will this do for the things you haven't seen ?" "It's enchanting." "Nothing else." "Watch now." "The sun god becomes chivalrous..." "He fights the dragon and delivers the maiden." "And will they live happily ever after ?" "Together they will roam the skies for all eternity." "So says the legend." "It doesn't seem possible." "It's so strange." "Look down there." "That temple." "There are mighty gods down there." "Been there for hundreds of years." "Incense burning for them." "Want to go ?" "Yes, please." "Buddha and Confucius, both." "Buddha covers the rest of the Orient like a sunset." "And China ?" "No, no." "China absorbed him and became moonlight." "You're not really respectuful." "Not too respectful." "Want your fortune told ?" "Does he ?" "Katrin." "Katrin." "Katrin." "Katrin." "What is he saying ?" "Raging happiness follows trouble profound... as blossoms after April thunder." "Impatient hands they reach for great love." "Eyes can not see close." "Very close." "Love is close." "Too close to see." "Beside you a love consuming as the fires." "Powerful as the avalanche." "And who is he ?" "The god of Fate." "He's supposed to frighten you." "I'll oblige him." "He's very grim." "You can't laugh at him." "Oh, yes you can." "Katrin..." "May I ask you those questions once again ?" "Please don't." "It's terribly difficult not to." "I'm dreadfully in love with you." "You've been so nice all evening." "Don't spoil it now." "Are you really in love like you told me this afternoon ?" "Are you, Katrin ?" "I..." "I'm afraid my answers are the same as yours." "I was sure of that." "But why ?" "Don't ask me any more." "I've said too much already." "I'm sorry." "I won't." "Things happen..." "We can't always arrange our lives as we want them... or even try to explain why we arrange them so..." "So strangely." "So strangely." "Now forget what I told you." "How can I ?" "We mustn't talk like this." "I won't." "Why can't we be unhappy together ?" "Let's leave this place." "Let me look at you." "I must see you soon." "How ?" "Where ?" "The curio shop." "Good night." "Good night." "Hello dear." "You've turned the tables on me, haven't you ?" "How do you mean ?" "Well... here I am waiting for you." "I hope you didn't mind my running off to look at the festival." "It isn't awfully safe." "Of course I knew I couldn't find you." "There wasn't a chance." "What are you reading, Walter ?" "It's Wells." "You know, I can never make up my mind whether he really thinks or just thinks he thinks." "Does it make so much difference ?" "Well, no." "Katrin..." "I've never seen you look more beautiful." "Thank you, sir." "A little cross with me ?" "Not in the least." "I was brought up by a man of science." "I know you." "There's an awful lot to be done." "I must be at it." "Yes ?" "Did the Amah tell you what I had to do this evening ?" "No." "But I always know, whatever it is it has to be done." "Do you know that you're always the most important thing under the sun ?" "Let me see..." "It's a fact." "More so every day." "You're the life of me, really." "I am a little cross." "I do want to get any confusion out of your mind." "I'll get over it." "It isn't very serious." "Right." "You're boss." "You do know, dear, that my job isn't the same as the others." "I can only get ahead with what I do myself." "The world needs help." "In a small way, that's my job." "You started off by saying I was important." "I know, yes." "I see." "You have me." "The rest is yet to be done." "Vanquished." "Good night." "Good night." "There you are, sir." "Are these all the Austrian magazines you have ?" "Yes, sir." "Thank you very much, sir." "Doctor Fane, are you sick ?" "I..." "I'm quite all right." "You don't look quite all right." "Maybe you already have the bad news." "Bad news ?" "Mi Tang Fu." "Cholera." "Yes ?" "It was a Chinese doctor." "He just came from there." "Where is he ?" "Cholera." "Mi Tang Fu." "Dr. Fane, may I have the honor to present Dr. Wu Pei." "He says, doctor..." "It's ok, I understand." "Get this message to Dr. Kent. "Come to the Foundation."" ""Cholera raging Mi Tang Fu." "Dead lying unburied."" ""Mission doctor dead"" ""They need help." Is that all he said ?" "Yes, sir." "Send it to Dr. Kent." "I'll wait word from him." "Yes, sir." "They've sent my Austrian magazines." "Oh, yes ?" "Coffee here, Missy ?" "Coffee here or in the other room, Walter ?" "Whatever you like." "Living room." "You've hardly eaten anything." "Have we finished ?" "We're having coffee in the other room." "Cigarette ?" "No, thanks." "You've been as silent as a stone god." "If there's something on your mind, why don't you say it ?" "Ever heard of Mi Tang Fu ?" "Should I ?" "It might be well." "We're going there." "Where is it ?" "Inland. 300 miles." "Have you been ordered there ?" "No." "There's an epidemic." "Cholera." "Epidemic ?" "I volunteered." "Did you say we were going there ?" "A wife should go with her husband." "You didn't ask me if I want to go." "I'm assuming that." "I have no intention of going with you." "Then I shan't go." "I shall start divorce proceedings mentioning Townsend." "Then you were here this afternoon." "We won't talk about that or any part of it." "Yes, but we will." "I know what you'll say." "You find it in bad novels about cheap people." "We'll here it in court where they evaluate it properly." "But you don't know what I have to say, Walter." "I'm terribly sorry to see you hurt like this." "Don't let me hear a word of that !" "Anything of the kind." "Don't you dare !" "All right, then." "I fell in love." "Blindly." "Madly." "I reached for the happiness I could get." "And like a fool I stole it trying not to hurt anyone." "But what do you know about that ?" "Nothing." "There is nothing cheap about it." "And I have no apology." "I don't love you." "I never did." "If you want to make a mess of it because your pride is hurt, go on and do it." "Are you speaking for him too ?" "He loves me the same way." "Let's not talk about love." "Love doesn't enter into it." "You know nothing about that." "We are in love he and I." "I beg of you." "Try to understand." "Don't make a brutal mess of it." "It's only because I don't want to make a mess of it that he's still alive." "Now, if Townsend will promise in writing that he'll get a divorce and marry you, I'm good." "If not, you follow me." "Or else you go back where I found you and explain this great love... to your father." "So you want to kill me in this horrible way." "If ever you see Townsend again it will not be as my wife." "That I swear." "That's all." "That's all !" "Oh, I thought you'd never come." "I couldn't get away." "I was with the Vice-Consul and you know how..." "Katrin." "Oh, don't mind." "I'm so relieved you're here." "It's been terrible." "He knows ?" "Yes." "Oh, don't, darling." "Please." "I'm here." "Are you here ?" "You know, he said..." "Oh, but it doesn't matter what he said." "Tell me quickly you love me." "Oh, I love you." "I know." "Forgive me." "But I waited so long." "And all the terrible things he said." "Oh, no..." "Will he divorce you ?" "He doesn't seem to think that will be necessary." "He seems to doubt your intentions." "Oh." "What did he..." "Oh, he... he expects... a promise in writing..." "You will divorce her, I mean." "I'll do anything you ask, Katrin." "Anything I ask ?" "Well, anything you expect, then." "After all, I got you into this." "I'll have to stand by you." "You make it sound like a frightful duty." "Standing by me ?" "Well, it isn't as romantic as it sounded." "Divorce." "Two of them." "You know what that means ?" "What does it mean ?" "Well, it means the end of things for me." "My career that I've worked many years to build up." "Your career ?" "And your reputation." "Don't forget that." "Of course it doesn't matter now because you've always had one." "And outside looking in isn't particularly pleasant." "I mean, you might as well begin to think about it." "Perhaps we should have begun sooner." "Darling, don't take that tone." "We're both in this." "We might as well speak plainly." "You have." "Very plainly." "All that I'm trying to tell you is that we're sacrificing everything, and if you're willing to do that, I am." "What more can you ask ?" "I ask for nothing." "I wouldn't ruin your career or your reputation." "You know that and that's why you say it." "You're not being fair." "All I ask..." "No, no..." "Let's not say any more." "Doctor Fane, I'm General Liu." "How do you do ?" "So grateful, you came." "So good of you." "Since Dr. Watson died, chaos." "Where did he live ?" "We're quartered there." "My direction is vague." "We have come to conduct you." "Thank you." "Katrin, this is General Liu." "Mrs. Fane." "Mrs. Fane." "As soon as we're settled in, I'll come to headquarters about details." "Yes, doctor." "That room will be the board of directors." "This where Dr. Watson go dead." "Take that bed out of this room." "Bring it in here." "Burn that." "All those things, burn them." "Boy, see that all in this room is washed out with a solution." "Now." "Those go to the field hospital wherever that is." "You can open it but I'll unpack it myself." "Amah !" "Amah !" "Take them away." "Anybody at home ?" "Oh, Dr. Fane." "I'm Waddington." "Deputy Commissioner." "Yes, of course." "I knew you were here." "Katrin, this is Mr. Waddington, in charge of customs." "I'm charmed, I'm sure." "I'm returning this." "It was Dr. Watson's." "You shouldn't have bothered." "Oh, that's all right." "Would you mind turning it off ?" "Right." "There we are." "Mrs. Fane you are a surprise, a very pleasant surprise." "Of course I know all scientists are crazy but... what in the world are you doing here ?" "Never mind, never mind, look..." "A slight token of my joy." "Welcome, welcome, welcome." "Thank you." "Oh, that's all right." "I've done that trip through the rice fields." "I know how you feel." "Do you have any water ?" "Boiled ?" "Yes, I have." "By Jove, I'm jolly glad this house is open again." "Last time I was here we carried Dr. Watson out." "Charming fellow." "Don't think he knew very much, but charming fellow." "I marked his grave so I could show you." "Do you know these dear Chinese people venerate their dead ?" "But I'll be hanged if half of them know where they are." "You know, with so many going down..." "Oh, sorry, Mrs. Fane." "You won't mind after a bit." "Glad you're still alive." "By Jove, so am I." "You know there are only 3 sisters up at the convent ?" "We three, that makes 6 white people within hundreds of miles." "Really ?" "Hm-hm." "How do you like yours ?" "Oh, all right." "Mine straight." "So." "Stay full of this." "Leaves no room for the cholera." "Well, here's a go." "Cheerio." "Won't you sit down ?" "First a toast." "I'm jolly well going to drink to you." "Mrs. Fane, a woman who has the grit to stand by her husband like you... venturing up here ?" "Marvelous !" "Marvelous !" "I'm too weary to say anything intelligent." "I never say anything intelligent." "Have you been inocu..." "Did you bring any new gramophone records by any chance ?" "Sorry." "Too bad." "I'm so tired of my old ones." "So glad to see this house open again." "I live at the foot of the hill." "Any way I can help, let me know." "Thank you." "Oh, not at all." "Not at all." "I can go about, keeping immune on scotch." "And Dr. Watson inoculated me." "He inoculated himself." "Oh, poor chap, here's to his ashes." "Well, thanks so much for coming here." "If it's lonely at any time or anything I can do to help, let me know, let me know." "Don't forget, take good care of yourselves for my sake." "It's a joy to my soul to have this bungalow open again." "Well, tata." "Don't forget I live at the foot of the hill." "Bye bye." "Bye." "General Liu is waiting for me." "Will you be back for dinner ?" "The servants have orders about the food." "Nothing to worry about." "Then you won't be back for dinner." "I don't know." "Don't eat or drink anything not prescribed." "Why so careful ?" "Why prolong it ?" "You had only one idea in bringing me here." "Walter !" "If you didn't bring me here to die then why am I here ?" "Why am I here ?" "Not because of me or anything I said." "You're here because Townsend wouldn't have you at the price." "How you despise me." "I despise myself for ever caring anything about you." "Gentlemen, Dr. Fane." "How do you do ?" "Oh, please go on with your work." "Dr. Watson's reports and maps are in there, sir." "Where's the largest death rate ?" "Does anybody know where the death rate is at its worst ?" "Dr. Watson he say here." "Kong Fu, I see." "That's where the river joins the town." "How deep is the water there ?" "7 or 8 feet." "What's this district ?" "Warehouses." "Poverty ?" "Yes, especially." "Is the water supply guarded there ?" "No, they come across for water." "How many people live there ?" "About 6,000." "I see, but only about 1 in every 100 gets pure water." "We've done our best." "I'm sure you have..." "Now will you get me a report on the water and sewerage conditions in this Kom Pol section." "But many other people in these other sections are stricken." "Very likely." "Now this stream is the main source of infection." "Kom Pol may be the nest." "We may have to burn it before we get through." "Impossible." "Wraehouse is full of hemp." "Most valuable silk." "Tons of money invested, sir." "I can't help that." "People are dying by the hundreds." "That's really important." "Force complete evacuation." "Take enough soldiers with you to handle any opposition." "Are you in charge of the military too, doctor ?" "No, you are." "But this is war against cholera, ravaging and killing." "I'll advise you as to what to do." "Now if you let me explain to the men you are sending out exactly what I want..." "I'll go along with you." "And if I may have an escort, I'll examine this particular section of the river myself." "Very well, doctor." "You'd be so good as that ?" "I'm celebrating." "Look here !" "New ones ?" "Oh, a couple of years." "Some are more recent..." "Why don't we try them later ?" "All right, right, right." "I'm a little fed up." "Hot, isn't it ?" "It was yesterday, too." "And I believe I said so, ei ?" "Said it every day for six weeks, haven't I ?" "I'm very grateful to you." "Ah, that's all right." "All the time I'm not here I'm worried about you, both of you." "I was out at the convent last night, most of the night." "I was a little help, mostly in the way." "If you get in the way, they're liable to get you something to do." "Fane was there." "I offered him a drink at 3 o'clock." "He wouldn't have it." "Taking care of children." "Spends the whole days fighting officials." "Stupidity !" "And then at night, the convent." "The wisdom of the Orient." "Cheerio !" "What was I saying ?" "Oh, yes." "You don't have babies." "Of course I don't have babies." "I don't have anything." "Of course I'm glad I was born." "But if I were a woman in this cheery vale of tears, I'm hanged if I..." "I say..." "I didn't mean..." "I never do..." "I never mean anything." "You know dash well if you ever decide to have a little one..." "Oh, please." "Why, I'd mother it, father it, uncle it, grandfather it..." "Will you stop raving ?" "You're not taking me seriously ?" "It's the heat, I suppose." "You come back later and I'll feel better." "I'll feel jolly well obligating you." "And why not ?" "I am." "Well, cheerio !" "See you later, ei ?" "All right ?" "Yes, I'm all right, thanks." "3:30, it's later than I thought." "These people living in the boats..." "Even the fish from the river, they're eating destruction." "Death floating down the river from Kham Po Shian." "Now you know what I expect." "Good night." "Good night." "Take good rest." "I will do that." "I'm so sorry." "I didn't mean to wake you." "You look so uncomfortable." "Oh, I see." "Thank you." "Very kind of you." "Don't say that." "Very kind." "I'll go back to sleep again." "I thought you were in bed." "No..." "Would it disturb you if I just sat here ?" "Horribly lonely, aren't you ?" "Do you mind waiting here ?" "I think I'll drink some black coffee." "I want to talk to you." "I'll get it for you." "I would have brought it to you." "I was afraid I might fall asleep." "How is it coming along ?" "Oh, it's slow." "Pretty miserable, aren't you ?" "I do apologize." "There's no point in you suffering like this." "I can't say anything." "It will boil in a minute." "I'm sending you back to Hong Kong." "I've ordered the chairs the day after tomorrow." "That gives you just one day to get ready." "You'll be staying, of course." "Oh, yes." "I'm going 12 miles further in to Fu Kong." "How long will you be gone ?" "There's no knowing." "Please sit down." "Yes, I think I will." "Thank you." "Do you have to go to this place ?" "Yes, I do." "Don't you want to go back to Hong Kong ?" "I'm in the dark, Walter, I don't know." "It's the only thing I can think of, to do for you." "Please forgive me." "My mind isn't working." "This is the first time you..." "I know, I know it." "Things are clearing for me too." "It's taken all this death and distraction to show me how small it was." "Do you remember the kitchen in Gratz ?" "Yes." "You see..." "I've forgotten what a sweet and lovely person you really are." "If I had married somebody else without love... and then met you... and you loved me... my standards... well, might not be so lofty." "Is it because you have stopped loving me that you are relenting ?" "I couldn't stop." "Not while I live." "If I had only told you." "If I'd been honest and come to you." "It would have helped." "You can't stop loving anybody for any reason, can you ?" "Your coffee." "Yes, I will drink up." "I don't know." "What ?" "Oh, trying to answer you." "But I've been so frightened here." "I just couldn't see ahead." "And then the thought that you were killing yourself." "I'm not doing that." "Then what you're doing tonight, right now, is a friendly farewell, isn't it ?" "I went blind in Hong Kong." "A little mad..." "But if all the men who were hurt simply quit..." "Bad business." "You see ?" "Yes, I see." "When are you leaving ?" "In the morning." "Then I shan't see you after that, shall I ?" "Perhaps I shall never see you again." "Things are so desperate here, it's hard to tell." "But if I do get through I'll find you." "And try to work out our future." "I want you to know this." "As long as I live, I'll be ashamed." "I don't know quite how to say it... but it's this... being in love and letting it smash things as I have..." "I thought It had the right of way, I really did." "So did I, in my way." "It has two..." "What do you mean ?" "Right now you and I are closer than we ever were." "And much further apart." "When you sent me to Townsend he..." "I didn't feel half as small, half as cheap as I do now." "Oh, no, that's not what I meant..." "But there are two reasons..." "I suppose I haven't a soul big enough to love a man like you." "I'll never meet anyone who is finer..." "The other reason..." "Ah, I'll face that myself." "Are you still in love with him ?" "Will you please try to rest ?" "Let's not talk any more." "Let's not even try to." "Just leave me here to try to pull myself together." "So sorry." "I'm so sorry" "These reports are all that require imediate attention." "Thank you." "Leave them." "There are some from yesterday, sir." "I took care of what I could." "The governor seemed upset." "Oh, I'll get to them some time today." "Have the reports from Nay Tam Fu come through ?" "It's on the top, sir." "Well..." "What does it say ?" ""Death rate down 22%."" ""Epidemics still unchecked." "Dr. Fane moves further inland to Fu Kong."" ""Orders the suburb of Kham Po Shian to be burned."" "Let me see that." "Isn't there any word about the other English people there ?" "Well, there aren't any others there , sir." "Except the sisters in the convent." "And Mrs. Fane." "I get all the reports I can, sir." "Never mind, Barrett." "It won't be necessary." "I'm going there." "I want you to make arrangements for me to leave at once." "But the Council in the morning, sir." "I have a Council of my own, Barrett." "Is the Governor in ?" "He's busy with the Vice-Consul." "He left orders not to be disturbed." "Oh, did he ?" "Dr. Fane." "Come in." "So very welcome, doctor." "Thanks." "You have just returned from Fu Kong ?" "Yes, just now." "We expected you at barracks." "Well, I'm on my way there now." "Shall we wait ?" "I'll say it here." "My orders about Kham Pu Shian were not carried out." "But my dear doctor." "They do not want their houses burned." "They threatened." "You carry out my orders by the morning or I'll do the job myself !" "That's all !" "Now." "I want to see the children of the convent first." "Then I'm going to the barracks." "Good night !" "Good night, doctor." "Doctor, it's so good to see you safely back." "Yes, thanks, I'm quite safe." "How's everything here ?" "About the same ?" "A little better, praise be." "Doctor..." "Doctor..." "You may find the situation here more cheerful than when you left." "Splendid." "Keep everybody awake and on watch tonight." "There's a bad feeling in some quarters." "I'm not sure." "Let's be prepared." "Don't say anything to anyone." "My kit." "His kit." "Hurry, please." "Ampoule, please." "Caffeine. 2cc." "Alcohol." "You didn't go." "No." "Are you living here ?" "I have been." "The sisters have been very nice." "You do very well." "They're good instructors." "They needed to be." "I was very glad to help." "Really ?" "Oh..." "Turn off the lights." "I'll see what it is." "I'll send some men to guard the convent." "What is it, Walter ?" "There's a bad case in Kham Po Shian." "I've given orders to burn it." "There'll be trouble." "I'm not quite sure yet how much." "Send word so that we know that you are all right." "Thank you." "I'll send a guard for you." "Take care of yourself." "Yes, dear." "Can't you understand ?" "It's for your own good !" "For your own good !" "Don't you understand ?" "We're burning your homes but we're building new ones." "It's for your own good !" "Mrs. Fane." "I don't know." "Something's happened." "Is Dr. Fane here ?" "Mrs. Fane, you cannot see him." "We do not know how bad is the hurt." "Oh, but won't you let me in ?" "Doctor says please... few seconds... emergency." "Find out." "Please find out." "Yes, Mrs. Fane." "Katrin." "Is there anything I can do ?" "Any possible way I can help ?" "Why have you come ?" "If you don't mind, that can wait." "Walter is hurt." "He may be dying." "Yes." "I know." "Katrin, I didn't come this far without something in my heart that you must listen to." "That's all I have to say just now." "Once I waited for a word from you... it seemed like life and death." "Forgive me." "If you can." "It doesn't seem to matter, i mean, forgiving you." "Walter might be dying." "That's all there is." "You and I always thought about ourselves." "but that's all gone." "That's why I lost Walter, thinking of myself." "And if he dies..." "Oh, Father in heaven !" "Father in heaven !" "All I pray for is the chance to tell him how much I love him." "You see, he doesn't know that." "And it's the only thing he asked heaven for." "In everything else he gives." "His life, his work, everything he does... is love." "Every second..." "Every hour..." "It's another language." "It's another world." "That's what I'm trying to say." "Oh, don't make me say any more." "All the best." "All the best." "Mrs. Fane." "Will you please go in." "Walter." "Walter." "I was a million miles away." "A million miles." "Don't go back." "Don't leave me." "I won't." "I love you."