Dan knew the old Chinaman for the treasure he was and nothing that Sooey Wan might do could possibly have offended him. In thirty-five years of perfect service to the Pritchards, father and son, Sooey Wan had bought and paid for the few liberties he took—an occasional cigarette in their presence and about six cocktails per annum.
What Sooey Wan realized his boss needed tonight was human society. Sooey Wan felt fully equal to the task of supplying that rare commodity, and he was in Dan’s room now for that purpose.
“My boy feelee little better, eh?” he suggested.
“Considerably. Life isn’t half bad, Sooey Wan. The world isn’t filled entirely with muckers.”
“Oh, velly nice world!” Sooey Wan agreed. “Today I ketchum ten spot in China lottery. I play fi’ dollar. Tonight Sooey Wan feel pretty damn good, too.”
A silence while Dan sat down, lighted a cigarette and sipped his cocktail. Then:
“Julia velly happy, boss. Captain’s girl give Julia velly nice plesent. She come show me. Missie Pip velly sorry no can understand at first. No ketchum pearl.” And Sooey Wan chuckled like a malevolent old gnome, while Dan laughed with him.
“Missie Pip too high-tone’,” Sooey Wan decided. “Yeh, too muchee. No pay muchee Missie Pip for be high-tone’. Sooey Wan don’t give a damn. Sooey Wan ketchum pearl, all li’. No ketchum pearl, all li’. Ketchum ten spot China lottery, velly good. Ketchum ten spot for Julia, too, but Julia no playum heavy. Twenty-fi’ cen’s, two bittee limit.”
The Chinese lottery was then discussed, with Sooey Wan adverting with delightful regularity to the fact that Mrs. Pippy was in a mood to kick herself up hill and down dale because of her lamentable failure to recognize a queen. The gift of all the pearls ever collected in the South Seas could not have afforded the old Chinese schemer one-half the delight this knowledge afforded him, and Dan quickly realized that for the pleasure of this social visit from Sooey Wan he was indebted quite as much to Mrs. Pippy’s misfortune as he was to Sooey Wan’s unfaltering affection. He had to share this joyous news with somebody who could appreciate it!
Presently Sooey Wan grew serious. “I lookee thlough dining room door when Captain’s girl go upstair,” he confided. “Velly pitty girl. Velly damn nice, Missa Dan, you mally lady queen?”