The story begins aboard a passenger ship steaming in the South Pacific Ocean, about twelve hours from Pago Pago Harbor on the island of Tutuila. Passengers aboard the ship include Dr. and Mrs. Alec Macphail, traveling to Apia on the island of Upolu, and Mr. and Mrs. Davidson, traveling missionaries returning to their designated proselytizing area of several small Samoan islands north of Tutuila. The reserved Mac hails and the ascetic Davidsons have formed a friendship of propinquity, while the remainder of the passengers aboard the ship spend their time gambling, smoking, drinking, and otherwise enjoying themselves in the ship's smoking-room. Mrs. Macphail is flattered that the Davidsons, who, whom she views as very respectable, feel comfortable with her presence.
The evening before the ship arrives at Pago Pago, Dr. and Mrs......
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