“I have been glad to have you, Rex, and shall feel like a fish out of water without you. Give my love to them out there. I hope you will find things all quiet and comfortable.”
They stood at the rail until the tender steamed away up the river, and then stood watching the passengers, many of whom were still hunting for missing boxes. Then they went down and tidied up their cabin, and afterwards walked on deck until the bell rang for dinner.
Dick Chambers had been educated at Marlborough, had played in the eleven, and had represented the school at rackets. He had also been lieutenant in the school corps, and had shot in their Bisley team. He was a pleasant young fellow, though he put on airs on the strength of his two yearsʼ seniority.
“Well, are you glad you are going home?” he said, when they went forward together to speak to the Chinaman.
“Glad some ways, not other ways,” Ah Lo said. “Velly nice summer time, too much rainee winter time.”
“But it is not very cheerful weather always in Tientsin, Ah Lo,” Rex said.
“I want to get home to see palents. Sent home money to them, but dat not likee seeing them. Good piecee people here.”
“You havenʼt got to talk English very well,” Dick laughed, “considering you have been four years over here.”
“Always talk China–talk with Massa Rex. Talk with Master Robert same in China. Never let me talk English to Massa Rex. Talk lillie English to girls in kitchen. Dey always make fun of Ah Lo. Laugh at him face. Didnʼt talk much with them. Just talk pidgin English.”
“No, I have never talked to him in English from the time when he first took charge of me until now. My father and uncle always talked to him in Chinese, so he really has had very little chance.”