"I used to be in the Customs," said Mr. Shultz, "the outdoor Customs. I was inspecting a ship once sailing for Amoy and way down in the hold, among all the Chinese passengers, was a black-haired girl, lying on a bunk reading a Chinese book. She was the best-looking girl I ever saw anywhere in my life. Her hair was all slicked down and she had on trousers and a little coat. Her feet were large but I didn't notice that then. I leaned against the bulkhead and looked hard at her, but she only went on turning the pages very carefully, till finally I couldn't stand it any longer. I said, 'Honey, who belong your master?' Well, the moment she looked up I saw I was wrong, but before I could get away she said loud and clear, 'Christ is my master,' so I said, 'Then I beg your pardon,' and shoved off. But I certainly couldn't approve of that girl, traveling in Chinese quarters in Chinese clothes and all. Missionary, of course. They always used to dress and live Chinese." "What an extraordinary anecdote," said the General, and not the hard look which Mr. Shultz gave him could quite banish the delighted smile from his face, "and it proves that in reality you are only capable of being attracted by what is familiar to you." "Oh, I know what you mean," said Mr. Shultz negligently. "But I am very broad-minded just the same. I know you've got your good points same as we have." "I also am broad-minded," said the General. "I also am willing to admire. For instance, just at present I am suffering from a toothache, so I admire in you a dazzling monument to the efficacy of your nation. I refer, Shultz, to your teeth." Mr. Shultz smiled, revealed the teeth and said, "Well, have another whisky soda then. Scotch is the best thing I know for toothache." "And you, Miss Davis," said the General. "What do American ladies drink ordinarily? What would you like? May I offer you some champagne?" "Nothing, thank you. Unless perhaps a glass of cold water." "Better not," said Mr. Shultz. "I can have the boy bring some of my chow water if you like. But you'd better try White Rock or Perrier." "Cold water! White Rock!" said the General. "Is that the stuff by which great civilizations are nourished!" But Megan interrupted him. His levity made her uneasy though she could not quite tell why. Perhaps it was because the presence of Mr. Shultz, far from simplifying her situation, seemed to have complicated it. She did not want Mr. Shultz to feel that he had to protect her from anything, because that would cast a cloud over her relations with the General. Mr. Shultz's presence made an even more delicate balance necessary and the General's boisterousness might inadvertently upset it. "Have you lived here long, Mr. Shultz?" she asked coolly.