Houseboy:
nside, take another look at the dining room.
With such high ceilings, so much of your time will be spent keeping the house warm. See this fireplace? Now look closely at all the dining chairs. Those nearest the fireplace have wicker back covers. In winter, you can build a very hot fire.
Maid: Without scorching someone's britches!
Houseboy: On the table nearest us is another charcoal water filter. Oh yes this is most important too; look at the table setting. Each guest's name is written on those oval porcelain place cards.
Maid: Oh, I see Sir Mathew Bailey Begbie will be joining us again this night. Look around the room a moment longer. Remember what I was saying before, about the Royal Navy Officer Henry Stanhope and Miss Kathleen. Well he certainly took a great fancy to her. And as I remember she was more than a little smitten with him. On the train back to Britain he wrote his feelings to Mr. O'Reilly.
Henry Stanhope:
Dear Mr. Peter O'Reilly,
It is only right that I should write and tell you what has been going on here. I have to go home on account of my promotion, and find myself quite unable to conceal any longer from your daughter what I had felt for her for a long time past. Yesterday I had seemed to understand that my affection for her was in every way reciprocated. I find today however, that though her affection does not seem to be lessened, it fails to bring with it any such happiness as no doubt...
Maid: Although he didn't come right out and ask Mr. O'Reilly for the hand of his daughter directly, there's no mistake about his intention.
Houseboy: Humph. More gossip. In China, servants never tell such tales. Just remember: It's best for servant to stay invisible.
Maid: A servant hears many things in a house like this.
Houseboy: Keep a good fire burning here all evening. After dinner, the O'Reillys sometimes play cards until late in the evening.
Continue along a few steps and look to the left.
To Main Entrance