A character study of a negro vaudeville tap dancer, as seen through two young idealistic people’s eyes.

The passengers include a young Australian going abroad to look for success as a journalist; an Australian girl going abroad for another reason; a negro vaudeville performer, a cynical French professor.

Outwardly, the play's material is the journey—shipboard romance, Colombo, the inevitable concert, Aden, Toulon, forlorn partings at the end of the voyage.

This is one interest; the major one is Mr. Lane’s study of his people, particularly of his negro, Teddy Deacon.

Teddy is seen in relief, with his saintly simplicity and faith broken by unbrotherly prejudices.