“Did I not see an item in yesterday’s paper that Japan would shortly vacate Kiao-Chau, which they took from the Germans?” asked Lois, striving to get away from personalities.
“Oh, yes, that is published periodically,” Patterson crumbled his cracker with impatient fingers. “Japan cares very little to colonize in China; her people cannot compete with other Orientals; here they can live on a few grains of rice a day, while our laborers require a full dinner pail. They will work all day without complaint, and will underbid any laborer in the land.”
“Why don’t they seek new lands to conquer?”
“Because the Japanese are not pioneers; their method is to colonize in cultivated land, to insidiously work their way to the top, and to control the local government,” retorted Patterson. “They are doing that daily in Mexico, buying concessions, here, there, and everywhere. It was owing to their influence that our troops were attacked at Carrizal.”
“Really?” Lois looked her surprise, but before she could continue Patterson’s attention was claimed by the woman on his left, and she sat silent, not wishing to break into the discussion which Julian Barclay, on her right, was having with his dinner partner. Lois had not met Barclay before, having accompanied her husband to Atlanta, but what she had heard of him had awakened her interest. She was often guided by first impressions, and she was still debating in her mind whether she liked Barclay or not, when he turned and looked at her.
“Be a good Samaritan, Mrs. McLane,” he said, “and tell me who is sitting next each other on the other side of this centerpiece.”
“I can see only one corner of the table,” Lois craned her head and looked around the bed of roses which formed the centerpiece. “Ethel Ogden is sitting between the bishop, and Mr. Takasaki. Ethel is lovely tonight”—in a burst of enthusiasm. “If I were a man I’d be mad about her.”
“Far be it from me to disagree with your opinion.” Barclay laughed but the look in his eyes won Lois’ sympathy. “I think Miss Ogden—perfection. Have you known her long?”
“Oh, we were chums at boarding school. I am devoted to the whole family. Unfortunately, their income has been curtailed of late years, and Ethel insists on being independent, and as you probably know, gives English lessons and does secretary work.”
“It is greatly to her credit,” agreed Barclay warmly. “In all my travels, Mrs. McLane, I have yet to find a race whose women compare to ours.”