Chapters 10, 11, 12, and 13 Summary

During the fortnight previously discussed in Chapter 9, Flory and Elizabeth continue to spend time in each other's company, often with the Lackersteens, but as often alone. During this time, Flory continues to feel distant from Elizabeth, not understanding her and not connecting with her. Instead of engaging him in meaningful conversation, Elizabeth seems only to discuss trivialities; he finds her actual tastes in literature horrid. As her de facto chaperone, Flory often makes comments vaguely in favor of the Burmese and Elizabeth finds this irritating; she considers them "only a 'subject' people, an inferior people with black faces" (p. 118). She begins to suspect that Flory's ideas and views are not quite properly English. One day they meet for tennis and Flory arrives somewhat early. He is engaged in conversation by two so-called Eurasians—bastards of a Burmese mother and an...