- Dr. George March: [Upon finding his wife at Dawltry's house] There's going to be no scandal in my house. But Dawltry is leaving Khota for good!
- Philippa Crosby March: And so am I, George. And I'm also leaving YOU. I came out here in search of love, and happiness. I found instead a machine - a machine of cold steel. As cold as the instruments you use to probe the bodies of unconscious patients on operating tables... Nursing hasn't changed me from a woman. But surgery in the tropics has changed the man I came to marry. So I turned to Hugh Dawltry for the love and affection you didn't give me.
- Dr. George March: If I didn't know that you were suffering from a pathological complaint common to the tropics, I should think you were neurotic. It's just a physical heat wave!
- Dr. George March: [Now turning to glare at Hugh Dawltry] And that CAD took advantage of it!
- Philippa Crosby March: But not of me, George. YOU did that! All you wanted was a wife. ANY woman would have done as well. And some other woman can take my place from now on!
- Rene March: But it isn't much fun, belonging to oneself.
- Hugh Dawltry: Don't you try to vamp me, young woman.
- Rene March: I could. Easily.
- Hugh Dawltry: Well, if this keeps on I shall either have to turn you over my knee or run from here.
- Rene March: In the first place, I'd scream. In the second, I'd run after you.
- Philippa Crosby March: Rene is just a child.
- Dr. George March: She is eighteen. That's a woman in the tropics.
- Philippa Crosby March: But George.
- Dr. George March: The heat is bad enough on married women. But on young girls it is dynamite. It makes them man-crazy.
- Rene March: I'm old enough to know that when a man like you says "no," to a woman, he really means, "yes." And besides, I like your Scotch.
- Philippa Crosby March: Men have such different and peculiar definitions of love. To a woman, there can be only one meaning - to be loved.
- Mrs. Wey-Smith: Dr. March says I'm like a feather. I'm so light on my feet.
- Hugh Dawltry: Whose feet?
- Philippa Crosby March: George, I have my new shoes on.
- Dr. George March: Oh, did I step all over them?
- Philippa Crosby March: Well, there may be one tiny spot you missed.
- Rene March: Now, I know how you fascinate all the women. You make them think you don't want them when you really do all the time
- [as she paws him, he looks at each pawing]
- Rene March: . Or, uh, are you afraid of me?
- Philippa Crosby March: I came out here in search of love and happiness. I found instead, a machine. A machine of cold steel. As cold as the instruments you use to probe into the bodies of unconscious patients on operating tables. Nursing hadn't changed me from a woman. But surgery and the tropics had changed the man I came to marry. So, I turned to Hugh Dawltry for the love and affection you didn't give me.
- Hugh Dawltry: You know, when this country gets tired of parboiling you, it begins baking you til you're done to a crisp!
- Hugh Dawltry: [as he lights his cigarette in front of the open window of Philippa's steamship cabin, he talks to his engraved lighter, as she eavesdrops] You know, for a very proper English lighter, you should be ashamed of yourself. A person would think that one flame would be enough for you without annoying every lady you see. You even make them dine in stuffy cabins to avoid you. I'm going to make you apologize... if I ever meet the charming lady. In the meantime, I think I'll drown you in a tall brandy and soda for being so rude.
- [He walks away]
- Hugh Dawltry: [Near the finale, as he is leaving his bungalow for good, to join Philippa aboard the dawn steamship bound for Singapore. He lights his cigarette with the lighter and places lighter on the table as he leaves] Sorry old fellow, but you'll have to find a new partner in crime. From now on, I'm a one-flame man. Cheerio!
- Philippa Crosby March: Where is everybody, do you suppose?
- Hugh Dawltry: Well, there only three places in this town where they could be. The bar of the club. The card room of the club. Or the swimming pool of the club.
- Simpson: Not at all my, dear Reginald. Not at all. It's this way you see.
- Reginald: But Simpson old fellow, I told you I did not see.
- Simpson: But my dear Reginald, you must see.
- Reginald: But how can I see when I don't see?
- Simpson: But, that is just the point. If you did, you could.
- Reginald: But I told you I didn't, old fellow.
- Simpson: But, my dear boy, there you are again.
- Hugh Dawltry: This is my house.
- Philippa Crosby March: And just why did you bring me here?
- Hugh Dawltry: To get acquainted. You were such a stranger aboard the boat.
- Philippa Crosby March: I'm still a stranger.
- Hugh Dawltry: I hope you won't be after dinner. My houseboy is really a very excellent cook.
- Philippa Crosby March: And I suppose his master is an excellent entertainer?
- Hugh Dawltry: Ah, that depends upon the audience.
- Philippa Crosby March: The audience is leaving. Without any sign of applause.
- Dr. George March: I will not tolerate drunken servants! Everybody has got to keep his place in this country.
- Dr. Muir: You remind me too much of myself.
- Hugh Dawltry: Yourself?
- Dr. Muir: I mean, the self I'd have liked to have been, at your age, if I'd had your courage. And your technique. You cad.
- Philippa Crosby March: How flushed your face is.
- Rene March: [standing in front of a mirror in lingerie] It must be excitement.
- Philippa Crosby March: Excitement?
- Rene March: Who wouldn't be excited? Another dinner at the Gymkhana Club with the same old Nikko to take me. And the same fussy old people to dance with. I think I'll create a diversion and go like this.
- Philippa Crosby March: Rene!
- [spanks Rene's bottom]
- Rene March: Ow! It is a bore and you know it.
- Philippa Crosby March: You are too young to be bored.
- Rene March: Married people aren't the only ones to suffer that way.
- Philippa Crosby March: And you're much too young to be cynical.
- [lights a cigarette]
- Rene March: I suppose George is alright as husbands go. But if I were married, I'd want my husband with me always. You hardly ever see him unless you go to the hospital .. And sit in that smelly waiting room full of native patients. George is my brother but he is not my type for a husband.
- Philippa Crosby March: Rene March, what have you been reading?
- Rene March: You'd be surprised.
- Hugh Dawltry: Now let that be a lesson to you. Hereafter, don't you get too gay with young Johnny crocodile.
- Rene March: He pokes his fingers into everything.
- Philippa Crosby March: George is a doctor, my dear.
- Dr. George March: Something has got to be done.
- Philippa Crosby March: Why worry about something that can't be undone?
- Rene March: I've been dying to see your bungalow anyway.
- Hugh Dawltry: You wouldn't like it. Orgies. Terrible goings on.
- Rene March: I hope Dawltry gets gloriously drunk and makes love to every woman in the place. Including me.
- Rene March: I wish you would forget George.
- Hugh Dawltry: I intend to.
- Rene March: So do I. And also stay out as late as I wish while he's gone.
- Hugh Dawltry: You'll find that a rather boring privilege with no place to go.
- Philippa Crosby March: I'm taking the boat that leaves at dawn for Singapore. And nothing you can say or do will stop me.
- Rene March: Wouldn't it be thrilling? I think there is something wonderful about a secret shared by two people.
- Hugh Dawltry: It certainly gives the rest of the community something to talk about.
- Rene March: Must you treat me like a child?
- Hugh Dawltry: I hope not. Because I don't want to have to spank you.