"True, and never ending war!"
"Were you fighting in France, Monsieur?"
"Yes!"
"Well, doubtless you find it peaceful here."
Again a very long silence, then, "Monsieur, my companion has just returned from Jibouti. Have you heard any news?"
"No! my European news is seventeen days old. What is it?"
Later I sit down to dinner, and, as I must be up betimes, I call the Chinamen to ask some questions concerning their work.
"You are collecting bêche-de-mer and shark fins?"
"We were, but our master has gone to China, and there are only two of us left; until he returns we have ceased work."