This gentleman
owned a bungalow on the Waikiki beach; and there, in
company with certain young bloods of Honolulu, I was
entertained to a sea-bathe, indiscriminate cocktails, a
dinner, a HULA-HULA, and (to round off the night)
poker and assorted liquors. To lose money in the small
hours to pale intoxicated youth has always appeared to
me a pleasure overrated. In my then frame of mind, I
confess I found it even delightful; put up my money (or
rather my creditors') and put down Fowler's champagne
with equal avidity and success; and awoke the next
morning to a mild headache and the rather agreeable
lees of the last night's excitement. The young bloods,
many of whom were still far from sober, had taken the
kitchen into their own hands, VICE the Chinaman
deposed; and since each was engaged upon a dish of his
own, and none had the least scruple in demolishing his
neighbour's handiwork, I became early convinced that
many eggs would be broken and few omelets made. The
discovery of a jug of milk and a crust of bread enabled
me to stay my appetite; and since it was Sunday, when
no business could be done, and the festivities were to
be renewed that night in the abode of Fowler, it
occurred to me to slip silently away and enjoy some air
and solitude.
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