Description

The story opens on the verdant island of Levua, where towering redwoods and mahogany sway under tropical storms and the scent of pineapples drifts from new plantations. At the heart of the place is a modest trading post run by the ambitious yet perpetually dissatisfied Englishman Flexner, whose restless nature drives him to rebuild houses, meddle with village chiefs, and chase ever‑higher profits. The lush scenery is contrasted with the tense atmosphere of a business that is faltering, setting the stage for a clash of personalities.

Old Reuben Lombard, a seasoned trader with a keen eye for human character, arrives from San Francisco to investigate the mess Flexner has left behind. Concluding that the Englishman's constant grouching is ruining the venture, Reuben decides to fire him and dispatch a replacement, even as Flexner dreams of leaving the lagoon‑lit night for a Christmas back in England. The narrative follows the uneasy balance between the exotic Pacific world and the pull of home, hinting at what will happen when Flexner’s plans finally set sail.