Girl, though I do not even know your name, Yet here I stand, and offer you my own; It was for you I came, for you alone, Across the half world. I have never known Forgetfulness, since first your face I saw. In coming here, I but obeyed Love’s law; I thought it fancy, passion, or caprice; I know now it is _Love_. FLOWER GIRL (_with emotion_) I pray you, cease; You do not understand yourself; go, go; [_Urges him towards exit_. RALPH (_seizing her hand_) I will not go until I hear you say That you remember even as I do That brief encounter on the street one day. [FLOWER GIRL _turns her face away and tries to free her hand_.] RALPH (_exultantly_) Oh, it is _Fate_; and Fate we must obey. [_Takes ring from his finger_.] Let the ship go; but with my heart I stay. [_Attempts to place ring on_ GIRL’S _finger_. _She wrenches her hand free_, _and stands with both hands behind her as she speaks with suppressed emotion_.] The heart of every Island girl on earth I think hides one sweet dream, and it is this; To one day meet a man of higher birth— To win his heart,—to feel his tender kiss— And sail with him to some far distant land. This too has been my dream; wherein your face Shone like a beacon. [_Repels_ RALPH _as he starts forward_.] But I know your race, Too well, too well. I know how such dreams end, You could not claim me in your land, my friend, For colour prejudice is rampant there. RALPH (_impetuously_) But I will stay for ever here, I swear,— FLOWER GIRL Nay, do not swear, you would but break the vow As many another has. Our tropic sun Affects men like a fever; when ’tis run, Then their delusions pass. Oh leave me now; I hear the whistle of your ship,—adieu! Alohoa oie—may God be with you. [_Enter_ ETHEL hurriedly] Come, Ralph, your mother and your sister wait Quite frantic at the pier, lest you be late. They sent me for you. [_Exit_ RALPH _with_ ETHEL; _he looks back and flings_ GIRL _a wreath_. GIRL _smiles and sings Hawaiian song_, _picks up the wreath and drops face in her hands as Curtain goes down_.] * * * * * * * * * * Printed by T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to His Majesty at the Edinburgh University Press FOOTNOTES {19} _Written to be read at Luncheon_, _given by my Publishers to the London and Provincial Booksellers_, _April_ 12, 1910.