_On one of the long chairs_ HAROLD KNOX _is lying asleep. He is a young man of pleasing appearance_. _He wears white ducks, but he has taken off his coat, which lies on a chair, and his collar and tie and pin. They are on the table by his side. He is troubled by a fly and, half waking but with his eyes still closed, tries to drive it away._
KNOX. Curse it. [_He opens his eyes and yawns._] Boy!
[WU _comes in; he is a Chinese servant in a long white gown with a black cap on his head_. _He bears a tray on which is a bottle of whisky, a glass and a syphon._]
KNOX. Anyhow it's time for a whisky and soda. [WU _puts the tray down on the table_. KNOX _smiles_.] Intelligent anticipation. Model servant and all that sort of thing. [WU _pours out the whisky_.] You don't care if I drink myself to death, Wu--do you? [WU _smiles, showing all his teeth_.] Fault of the climate. Give me the glass. [WU _does so_.] You're like a mother to me, Wu. [_He drinks and puts down the glass._] By George, I feel another man. The bull-dog breed, Wu. Never say die. Rule Britannia. Pull up the blinds, you lazy blighter. The sun's off and the place is like a oven.
[WU _goes over and pulls up one blind after the other_. _An expanse of blue sky is seen._ HENRY ANDERSON _comes in_. _He is a man of thirty, fair, good-looking, with a pleasant, honest face. His obvious straightforwardness and sincerity make him attractive._]
HARRY. [_Breezily._] Hulloa, Harold, you seem to be taking it easy.
KNOX. There was nothing to do in the office and I thought I'd get in my beauty sleep while I had the chance.
HARRY. I thought you had your beauty sleep before midnight.
KNOX. I'm taking time by the forelock so as to be on the safe side.
HARRY. Are you going on the loose again to-night?
KNOX. [_With great satisfaction._] Paralytic.... Hulloa, who's this? [_He catches sight of the_ AMAH _who has just entered_. _She is a little, thin, wrinkled, elderly Chinawoman in a long smock and trousers. She has gold pins in her sleek black hair. When she sees she has been noticed she smiles obsequiously._] Well, fair charmer, what can we do for you?
KNOX. Is this the face that launched a thousand ships?
HARRY. [_With sudden eager interest._] Are you Mrs. Rathbone's amah? Have you got a letter for me?