第1章

Look，youhavecastoutLove！WhatGodsaretheseYoubidmeplease?

TheThreeinOne，theOneinThree?Notso！

TomyownGodsIgo。

ItmaybetheyshallgivemegreatereaseThanyourcoldChristandtangledTrinities。

TheConvert。

ShewasthedaughterofSonoo，aHill-man，andJadehhiswife。Oneyeartheirmaizefailed，andtwobearsspentthenightintheironlypoppy-fieldjustabovetheSutlejValleyontheKotgarthside；

so，nextseason，theyturnedChristian，andbroughttheirbabytotheMissiontobebaptized。TheKotgarthChaplainchristenedherElizabeth，and“Lispeth“istheHillorpaharipronunciation。

Later，choleracameintotheKotgarthValleyandcarriedoffSonooandJadeh，andLispethbecamehalf-servant，half-companiontothewifeofthethenChaplainofKotgarth。ThiswasafterthereignoftheMoravianmissionaries，butbeforeKotgarthhadquiteforgottenhertitleof“MistressoftheNorthernHills。”

WhetherChristianityimprovedLispeth，orwhetherthegodsofherownpeoplewouldhavedoneasmuchforherunderanycircumstances，Idonotknow；butshegrewverylovely。WhenaHillgirlgrowslovely，sheisworthtravelingfiftymilesoverbadgroundtolookupon。LispethhadaGreekface——oneofthosefacespeoplepaintsooften，andseesoseldom。Shewasofapale，ivorycolorand，forherrace，extremelytall。Also，shepossessedeyesthatwerewonderful；and，hadshenotbeendressedintheabominableprint-

clothsaffectedbyMissions，youwould，meetingheronthehill-

sideunexpectedly，havethoughthertheoriginalDianaoftheRomansgoingouttoslay。

LispethtooktoChristianityreadily，anddidnotabandonitwhenshereachedwomanhood，asdosomeHillgirls。Herownpeoplehatedherbecauseshehad，theysaid，becomeamemsahibandwashedherselfdaily；andtheChaplain"swifedidnotknowwhattodowithher。Somehow，onecannotaskastatelygoddess，fivefootteninhershoes，tocleanplatesanddishes。SosheplayedwiththeChaplain"schildrenandtookclassesintheSundaySchool，andreadallthebooksinthehouse，andgrewmoreandmorebeautiful，likethePrincessesinfairytales。TheChaplain"swifesaidthatthegirloughttotakeserviceinSimlaasanurseorsomething“genteel。”ButLispethdidnotwanttotakeservice。Shewasveryhappywhereshewas。

Whentravellers——therewerenotmanyinthoseyears——cametoKotgarth，LispethusedtolockherselfintoherownroomforfeartheymighttakeherawaytoSimla，orsomewhereoutintotheunknownworld。

Oneday，afewmonthsaftershewasseventeenyearsold，Lispethwentoutforawalk。ShedidnotwalkinthemannerofEnglishladies——amileandahalfout，andaridebackagain。Shecoveredbetweentwentyandthirtymilesinherlittleconstitutionals，allaboutandabout，betweenKotgarthandNarkunda。Thistimeshecamebackatfulldusk，steppingdownthebreakneckdescentintoKotgarthwithsomethingheavyinherarms。TheChaplain"swifewasdozinginthedrawing-roomwhenLispethcameinbreathinghardandveryexhaustedwithherburden。Lispethputitdownonthesofa，andsaidsimply:

“Thisismyhusband。IfoundhimontheBagiRoad。Hehashurthimself。Wewillnursehim，andwhenheiswell，yourhusbandshallmarryhimtome。”

ThiswasthefirstmentionLispethhadevermadeofhermatrimonialviews，andtheChaplain"swifeshriekedwithhorror。However，themanonthesofaneededattentionfirst。HewasayoungEnglishman，andhisheadhadbeencuttothebonebysomethingjagged。Lispethsaidshehadfoundhimdownthekhud，soshehadbroughthimin。

Hewasbreathingqueerlyandwasunconscious。

HewasputtobedandtendedbytheChaplain，whoknewsomethingofmedicine；andLispethwaitedoutsidethedoorincaseshecouldbeuseful。SheexplainedtotheChaplainthatthiswasthemanshemeanttomarry；andtheChaplainandhiswifelecturedherseverelyontheimproprietyofherconduct。Lispethlistenedquietly，andrepeatedherfirstproposition。IttakesagreatdealofChristianitytowipeoutuncivilizedEasterninstincts，suchasfallinginloveatfirstsight。Lispeth，havingfoundthemansheworshipped，didnotseewhysheshouldkeepsilentastoherchoice。Shehadnointentionofbeingsentaway，either。ShewasgoingtonursethatEnglishmanuntilhewaswellenoughtomarryher。Thiswasherlittleprogramme。

Afterafortnightofslightfeverandinflammation，theEnglishmanrecoveredcoherenceandthankedtheChaplainandhiswife，andLispeth——especiallyLispeth——fortheirkindness。HewasatravellerintheEast，hesaid——theynevertalkedabout“globe-

trotters“inthosedays，whentheP。&O。fleetwasyoungandsmall——andhadcomefromDehraDuntohuntforplantsandbutterfliesamongtheSimlahills。NooneatSimla，therefore，knewanythingabouthim。Hefanciedhemusthavefallenoverthecliffwhilestalkingafernonarottentree-trunk，andthathiscooliesmusthavestolenhisbaggageandfled。HethoughthewouldgobacktoSimlawhenhewasalittlestronger。Hedesirednomoremountaineering。

Hemadesmallhastetogoaway，andrecoveredhisstrengthslowly。

LispethobjectedtobeingadvisedeitherbytheChaplainorhiswife；sothelatterspoketotheEnglishman，andtoldhimhowmattersstoodinLispeth"sheart。Helaughedagooddeal，andsaiditwasveryprettyandromantic，aperfectidyloftheHimalayas；

but，ashewasengagedtoagirlatHome，hefanciedthatnothingwouldhappen。Certainlyhewouldbehavewithdiscretion。Hedidthat。StillhefounditverypleasanttotalktoLispeth，andwalkwithLispeth，andsaynicethingstoher，andcallherpetnameswhilehewasgettingstrongenoughtogoaway。Itmeantnothingatalltohim，andeverythingintheworldtoLispeth。Shewasveryhappywhilethefortnightlasted，becauseshehadfoundamantolove。

Beingasavagebybirth，shetooknotroubletohideherfeelings，andtheEnglishmanwasamused。Whenhewentaway，Lispethwalkedwithhim，uptheHillasfarasNarkunda，verytroubledandverymiserable。TheChaplain"swife，beingagoodChristiananddislikinganythingintheshapeoffussorscandal——Lispethwasbeyondhermanagemententirely——hadtoldtheEnglishmantotellLispeththathewascomingbacktomarryher。“Sheisbutachild，youknow，and，Ifear，atheartaheathen，“saidtheChaplain"swife。SoallthetwelvemilesupthehilltheEnglishman，withhisarmaroundLispeth"swaist，wasassuringthegirlthathewouldcomebackandmarryher；andLispethmadehimpromiseoverandoveragain。SheweptontheNarkundaRidgetillhehadpassedoutofsightalongtheMuttianipath。

ThenshedriedhertearsandwentintoKotgarthagain，andsaidtotheChaplain"swife:“Hewillcomebackandmarryme。Hehasgonetohisownpeopletotellthemso。”AndtheChaplain"swifesoothedLispethandsaid:“Hewillcomeback。”Attheendoftwomonths，Lispethgrewimpatient，andwastoldthattheEnglishmanhadgoneovertheseastoEngland。SheknewwhereEnglandwas，becauseshehadreadlittlegeographyprimers；but，ofcourse，shehadnoconceptionofthenatureofthesea，beingaHillgirl。

Therewasanoldpuzzle-mapoftheWorldintheHouse。Lispethhadplayedwithitwhenshewasachild。Sheuneartheditagain，andputittogetherofevenings，andcriedtoherself，andtriedtoimaginewhereherEnglishmanwas。Asshehadnoideasofdistanceorsteamboats，hernotionsweresomewhaterroneous。Itwouldnothavemadetheleastdifferencehadshebeenperfectlycorrect；fortheEnglishmanhadnointentionofcomingbacktomarryaHillgirl。Heforgotallaboutherbythetimehewasbutterfly-huntinginAssam。HewroteabookontheEastafterwards。Lispeth"snamedidnotappear。

Attheendofthreemonths，LispethmadedailypilgrimagetoNarkundatoseeifherEnglishmanwascomingalongtheroad。Itgavehercomfort，andtheChaplain"swife，findingherhappier，thoughtthatshewasgettingoverher“barbarousandmostindelicatefolly。”AlittlelaterthewalksceasedtohelpLispethandhertempergrewverybad。TheChaplain"swifethoughtthisaprofitabletimetoletherknowtherealstateofaffairs——thattheEnglishmanhadonlypromisedhislovetokeepherquiet——thathehadnevermeantanything，andthatitwas“wrongandimproper“ofLispethtothinkofmarriagewithanEnglishman，whowasofasuperiorclay，besidesbeingpromisedinmarriagetoagirlofhisownpeople。Lispethsaidthatallthiswasclearlyimpossible，becausehehadsaidhelovedher，andtheChaplain"swifehad，withherownlips，assertedthattheEnglishmanwascomingback。

“Howcanwhatheandyousaidbeuntrue?“askedLispeth。

“Wesaiditasanexcusetokeepyouquiet，child，“saidtheChaplain"swife。

“Thenyouhaveliedtome，“saidLispeth，“youandhe?“

TheChaplain"swifebowedherhead，andsaidnothing。Lispethwassilent，tooforalittletime；thenshewentoutdownthevalley，andreturnedinthedressofaHillgirl——infamouslydirty，butwithoutthenoseandearrings。Shehadherhairbraidedintothelongpig-tail，helpedoutwithblackthread，thatHillwomenwear。

“Iamgoingbacktomyownpeople，“saidshe。“YouhavekilledLispeth。ThereisonlyleftoldJadeh"sdaughter——thedaughterofapahariandtheservantofTarkaDevi。Youareallliars，youEnglish。”

BythetimethattheChaplain"swifehadrecoveredfromtheshockoftheannouncementthatLispethhad"vertedtohermother"sgods，thegirlhadgone；andshenevercameback。

Shetooktoherownuncleanpeoplesavagely，asiftomakeupthearrearsofthelifeshehadsteppedoutof；and，inalittletime，shemarriedawood-cutterwhobeather，afterthemannerofpaharis，andherbeautyfadedsoon。

“Thereisnolawwherebyyoucanaccountforthevagariesoftheheathen，“saidtheChaplain"swife，“andIbelievethatLispethwasalwaysatheartaninfidel。”SeeingshehadbeentakenintotheChurchofEnglandatthematureageoffiveweeks，thisstatementdoesnotdocredittotheChaplain"swife。

Lispethwasaveryoldwomanwhenshedied。ShealwayshadaperfectcommandofEnglish，andwhenshewassufficientlydrunk，couldsometimesbeinducedtotellthestoryofherfirstlove-

affair。

Itwashardthentorealizethatthebleared，wrinkledcreature，solikeawispofcharredrag，couldeverhavebeen“LispethoftheKotgarthMission。”

THREEAND——ANEXTRA。

“Whenhalterandheelropesareslipped，donotgivechasewithsticksbutwithgram。”

PunjabiProverb。

Aftermarriagearrivesareaction，sometimesabig，sometimesalittleone；butitcomessoonerorlater，andmustbetidedoverbybothpartiesiftheydesiretherestoftheirlivestogowiththecurrent。

InthecaseoftheCusack-Bremmilsthisreactiondidnotsetintillthethirdyearafterthewedding。Bremmilwashardtoholdatthebestoftimes；buthewasabeautifulhusbanduntilthebabydiedandMrs。Bremmilworeblack，andgrewthin，andmournedasifthebottomoftheuniversehadfallenout。PerhapsBremmiloughttohavecomfortedher。Hetriedtodoso，Ithink；butthemorehecomfortedthemoreMrs。Bremmilgrieved，and，consequently，themoreuncomfortableBremmilgrew。Thefactwasthattheybothneededatonic。Andtheygotit。Mrs。Bremmilcanaffordtolaughnow，butitwasnolaughingmattertoheratthetime。

Yousee，Mrs。Hauksbeeappearedonthehorizon；andwheresheexistedwasfairchanceoftrouble。AtSimlaherbye-namewasthe“StormyPetrel。”Shehadwonthattitlefivetimestomyowncertainknowledge。Shewasalittle，brown，thin，almostskinny，woman，withbig，rolling，violet-blueeyes，andthesweetestmannersintheworld。Youhadonlytomentionhernameatafternoonteasforeverywomanintheroomtoriseup，andcallher——well——NOTblessed。Shewasclever，witty，brilliant，andsparklingbeyondmostofherkind；butpossessedofmanydevilsofmaliceandmischievousness。Shecouldbenice，though，eventoherownsex。Butthatisanotherstory。

Bremmilwentoffatscoreafterthebaby"sdeathandthegeneraldiscomfortthatfollowed，andMrs。Hauksbeeannexedhim。Shetooknopleasureinhidinghercaptives。Sheannexedhimpublicly，andsawthatthepublicsawit。Herodewithher，andwalkedwithher，andtalkedwithher，andpicnickedwithher，andtiffinedatPeliti"swithher，tillpeopleputuptheireyebrowsandsaid:

“Shocking！“Mrs。Bremmilstayedathometurningoverthedeadbaby"sfrocksandcryingintotheemptycradle。Shedidnotcaretodoanythingelse。Butsomeeightdear，affectionatelady-

friendsexplainedthesituationatlengthtoherincasesheshouldmissthecreamofit。Mrs。Bremmillistenedquietly，andthankedthemfortheirgoodoffices。ShewasnotascleverasMrs。

Hauksbee，butshewasnofool。Shekeptherowncounsel，anddidnotspeaktoBremmilofwhatshehadheard。Thisisworthremembering。Speakingto，orcryingover，ahusbandneverdidanygoodyet。

WhenBremmilwasathome，whichwasnotoften，hewasmoreaffectionatethanusual；andthatshowedhishand。TheaffectionwasforcedpartlytosoothehisownconscienceandpartlytosootheMrs。Bremmil。Itfailedinbothregards。

Then“theA-D-C。inWaitingwascommandedbyTheirExcellencies，LordandLadyLytton，toinviteMr。andMrs。Cusack-BremmiltoPeterhoffonJuly26that9。30P。M。”——“Dancing“inthebottom-

left-handcorner。

“Ican"tgo，“saidMrs。Bremmil，“itistoosoonafterpoorlittleFlorrie……butitneednotstopyou，Tom。”

Shemeantwhatshesaidthen，andBremmilsaidthathewouldgojusttoputinanappearance。Herehespokethethingwhichwasnot；andMrs。Bremmilknewit。Sheguessed——awoman"sguessismuchmoreaccuratethanaman"scertainty——thathehadmeanttogofromthefirst，andwithMrs。Hauksbee。Shesatdowntothink，andtheoutcomeofherthoughtswasthatthememoryofadeadchildwasworthconsiderablylessthantheaffectionsofalivinghusband。

Shemadeherplanandstakedheralluponit。InthathourshediscoveredthatsheknewTomBremmilthoroughly，andthisknowledgesheactedon。

“Tom，“saidshe，“IshallbediningoutattheLongmores"ontheeveningofthe26th。You"dbetterdineattheclub。”

ThissavedBremmilfrommakinganexcusetogetawayanddinewithMrs。Hauksbee，sohewasgrateful，andfeltsmallandmeanatthesametime——whichwaswholesome。Bremmilleftthehouseatfiveforaride。Abouthalf-pastfiveintheeveningalargeleather-

coveredbasketcameinfromPhelps"forMrs。Bremmil。Shewasawomanwhoknewhowtodress；andshehadnotspentaweekondesigningthatdressandhavingitgored，andhemmed，andherring-

boned，andtuckedandrucked(orwhateverthetermsare)fornothing。Itwasagorgeousdress——slightmourning。Ican"tdescribeit，butitwaswhatTheQueencalls“acreation“——athingthathityoustraightbetweentheeyesandmadeyougasp。Shehadnotmuchheartforwhatshewasgoingtodo；butassheglancedatthelongmirrorshehadthesatisfactionofknowingthatshehadneverlookedsowellinherlife。Shewasalargeblondeand，whenshechose，carriedherselfsuperbly。

AfterthedinnerattheLongmores，shewentontothedance——alittlelate——andencounteredBremmilwithMrs。Hauksbeeonhisarm。

Thatmadeherflush，andasthemencrowdedroundherfordancesshelookedmagnificent。Shefilledupallherdancesexceptthree，andthosesheleftblank。Mrs。Hauksbeecaughthereyeonce；andsheknewitwaswar——realwar——betweenthem。Shestartedhandicappedinthestruggle，forshehadorderedBremmilaboutjusttheleastlittlebitintheworldtoomuch；andhewasbeginningtoresentit。Moreover，hehadneverseenhiswifelooksolovely。

Hestaredatherfromdoorways，andglaredatherfrompassagesasshewentaboutwithherpartners；andthemorehestared，themoretakenwashe。Hecouldscarcelybelievethatthiswasthewomanwiththeredeyesandtheblackstuffgownwhousedtoweepovertheeggsatbreakfast。

Mrs。Hauksbeedidherbesttoholdhiminplay，but，aftertwodances，hecrossedovertohiswifeandaskedforadance。

“I"mafraidyou"vecometoolate，MISTERBremmil，“shesaid，withhereyestwinkling。

Thenhebeggedhertogivehimadance，and，asagreatfavor，sheallowedhimthefifthwaltz。Luckily5stoodvacantonhisprogramme。Theydancedittogether，andtherewasalittleflutterroundtheroom。Bremmilhadasortofnotionthathiswifecoulddance，butheneverknewshedancedsodivinely。Attheendofthatwaltzheaskedforanother——asafavor，notasaright；andMrs。Bremmilsaid:“Showmeyourprogramme，dear！“Heshoweditasanaughtylittleschoolboyhandsupcontrabandsweetstoamaster。

Therewasafairsprinklingof“H“onitbesides“H“atsupper。

Mrs。Bremmilsaidnothing，butshesmiledcontemptuously，ranherpencilthrough7and9——two“H"s“——andreturnedthecardwithherownnamewrittenabove——apetnamethatonlysheandherhusbandused。Thensheshookherfingerathim，andsaid，laughing:“Oh，yousilly，SILLYboy！“

Mrs。Hauksbeeheardthat，and——sheownedasmuch——feltthatshehadtheworstofit。Bremmilaccepted7and9gratefully。Theydanced7，andsatout9inoneofthelittletents。WhatBremmilsaidandwhatMrs。Bremmilsaidisnoconcernofanyone"s。

Whenthebandstruckup“TheRoastBeefofOldEngland，“thetwowentoutintotheverandah，andBremmilbeganlookingforhiswife"sdandy(thiswasbefore"rickshawdays)whileshewentintothecloak-room。Mrs。Hauksbeecameupandsaid:“Youtakemeintosupper，Ithink，Mr。Bremmil。”Bremmilturnedredandlookedfoolish。“Ah——h"m！I"mgoinghomewithmywife，Mrs。Hauksbee。I

thinktherehasbeenalittlemistake。”Beingaman，hespokeasthoughMrs。Hauksbeewereentirelyresponsible。

Mrs。Bremmilcameoutofthecloak-roominaswansdowncloakwithawhite“cloud“roundherhead。Shelookedradiant；andshehadarightto。

Thecouplewentoffinthedarknesstogether，Bremmilridingveryclosetothedandy。

ThensaysMrs。Hauksbeetome——shelookedatriflefadedandjadedinthelamplight:“Takemywordforit，thesilliestwomancanmanageacleverman；butitneedsaverycleverwomantomanageafool。”

Thenwewentintosupper。

THROWNAWAY。

“Andsomearesulky，whilesomewillplunge[Soho！Steady！Standstill，you！]

Someyoumustgentle，andsomeyoumustlunge。

[There！There！Whowantstokillyou?]

Some——therearelossesineverytrade——

Willbreaktheirheartserebittedandmade，Willfightlikefiendsastheropecutshard，Anddiedumb-madinthebreaking-yard。”

ToolungalaStockyardChorus。

Torearaboyunderwhatparentscallthe“shelteredlifesystem“

is，iftheboymustgointotheworldandfendforhimself，notwise。Unlesshebeoneinathousandhehascertainlytopassthroughmanyunnecessarytroubles；andmay，possibly，cometoextremegriefsimplyfromignoranceoftheproperproportionsofthings。

Letapuppyeatthesoapinthebath-roomorchewanewly-blackedboot。Hechewsandchucklesuntil，byandby，hefindsoutthatblackingandOldBrownWindsormakehimverysick；sohearguesthatsoapandbootsarenotwholesome。Anyolddogaboutthehousewillsoonshowhimtheunwisdomofbitingbigdogs"ears。Beingyoung，heremembersandgoesabroad，atsixmonths，awell-manneredlittlebeastwithachastenedappetite。Ifhehadbeenkeptawayfromboots，andsoap，andbigdogstillhecametothetrinityfull-grownandwithdevelopedteeth，justconsiderhowfearfullysickandthrashedhewouldbe！Applythatmotiontothe“shelteredlife，“andseehowitworks。Itdoesnotsoundpretty，butitisthebetteroftwoevils。

TherewasaBoyoncewhohadbeenbroughtupunderthe“shelteredlife“theory；andthetheorykilledhimdead。Hestayedwithhispeopleallhisdays，fromthehourhewasborntillthehourhewentintoSandhurstnearlyatthetopofthelist。Hewasbeautifullytaughtinallthatwinsmarksbyaprivatetutor，andcarriedtheextraweightof“neverhavinggivenhisparentsanhour"sanxietyinhislife。”WhathelearntatSandhurstbeyondtheregularroutineisofnogreatconsequence。Helookedabouthim，andhefoundsoapandblacking，sotospeak，verygood。Heatealittle，andcameoutofSandhurstnotsohighashewentin。

Themtherewasanintervalandascenewithhispeople，whoexpectedmuchfromhim。Nextayearofliving“unspottedfromtheworld“inathird-ratedepotbattalionwhereallthejuniorswerechildren，andalltheseniorsoldwomen；andlastlyhecameouttoIndia，wherehewascutofffromthesupportofhisparents，andhadnoonetofallbackonintimeoftroubleexcepthimself。

NowIndiaisaplacebeyondallotherswhereonemustnottakethingstooseriously——themiddaysunalwaysexcepted。Toomuchworkandtoomuchenergykillamanjustaseffectivelyastoomuchassortedviceortoomuchdrink。FlirtationdoesnotmatterbecauseeveryoneisbeingtransferredandeitheryouorsheleavetheStation，andneverreturn。Goodworkdoesnotmatter，becauseamanisjudgedbyhisworstoutputandanothermantakesallthecreditofhisbestasarule。Badworkdoesnotmatter，becauseothermendoworse，andincompetentshangonlongerinIndiathananywhereelse。Amusementsdonotmatter，becauseyoumustrepeatthemassoonasyouhaveaccomplishedthemonce，andmostamusementsonlymeantryingtowinanotherperson"smoney。

Sicknessdoesnotmatter，becauseit"sallintheday"swork，andifyoudieanothermantakesoveryourplaceandyourofficeintheeighthoursbetweendeathandburial。NothingmattersexceptHomefurloughandactingallowances，andtheseonlybecausetheyarescarce。Thisisaslack，kutchacountrywhereallmenworkwithimperfectinstruments；andthewisestthingistotakenooneandnothinginearnest，buttoescapeassoonaseveryoucantosomeplacewhereamusementisamusementandareputationworththehaving。

ButthisBoy——thetaleisasoldastheHills——cameout，andtookallthingsseriously。Hewasprettyandwaspetted。Hetookthepettingsseriously，andfrettedoverwomennotworthsaddlingaponytocallupon。HefoundhisnewfreelifeinIndiaverygood。

ItDOESlookattractiveinthebeginning，fromaSubaltern"spointofview——allponies，partners，dancing，andsoon。Hetasteditasthepuppytastesthesoap。Onlyhecamelatetotheeating，withagrowingsetofteeth。Hehadnosenseofbalance——justlikethepuppy——andcouldnotunderstandwhyhewasnottreatedwiththeconsiderationhereceivedunderhisfather"sroof。Thishurthisfeelings。

Hequarrelledwithotherboys，and，beingsensitivetothemarrow，rememberedthesequarrels，andtheyexcitedhim。Hefoundwhist，andgymkhanas，andthingsofthatkind(meanttoamuseoneafteroffice)good；buthetookthemseriouslytoo，justashetookthe“head“thatfollowedafterdrink。Helosthismoneyoverwhistandgymkhanasbecausetheywerenewtohim。

Hetookhislossesseriously，andwastedasmuchenergyandinterestoveratwo-goldmohurraceformaidenekka-ponieswiththeirmaneshogged，asifithadbeentheDerby。One-halfofthiscamefrominexperience——muchasthepuppysquabbleswiththecornerofthehearth-rug——andtheotherhalffromthedizzinessbredbystumblingoutofhisquietlifeintotheglareandexcitementofalivelierone。Noonetoldhimaboutthesoapandtheblackingbecauseanaveragemantakesitforgrantedthatanaveragemanisordinarilycarefulinregardtothem。ItwaspitifultowatchTheBoyknockinghimselftopieces，asanover-handledcoltfallsdownandcutshimselfwhenhegetsawayfromthegroom。

Thisunbridledlicenseinamusementsnotworththetroubleofbreakinglinefor，muchlessriotingover，enduredforsixmonths——

allthroughonecoldweather——andthenwethoughtthattheheatandtheknowledgeofhavinglosthismoneyandhealthandlamedhishorseswouldsoberTheBoydown，andhewouldstandsteady。Inninety-ninecasesoutofahundredthiswouldhavehappened。YoucanseetheprincipleworkinginanyIndianStation。ButthisparticularcasefellthroughbecauseTheBoywassensitiveandtookthingsseriously——asImayhavesaidsomeseventimesbefore。Ofcourse，wecouldn"ttellhowhisexcessesstruckhimpersonally。

Theywerenothingveryheart-breakingorabovetheaverage。Hemightbecrippledforlifefinancially，andwantalittlenursing。

Stillthememoryofhisperformanceswouldwitherawayinonehotweather，andtheshroffwouldhelphimtotideoverthemoneytroubles。Buthemusthavetakenanotherviewaltogetherandhavebelievedhimselfruinedbeyondredemption。HisColoneltalkedtohimseverelywhenthecoldweatherended。Thatmadehimmorewretchedthanever；anditwasonlyanordinary“Colonel"swigging！“

Whatfollowsisacuriousinstanceofthefashioninwhichwearealllinkedtogetherandmaderesponsibleforoneanother。THE

thingthatkickedthebeaminTheBoy"smindwasaremarkthatawomanmadewhenhewastalkingtoher。Thereisnouseinrepeatingit，foritwasonlyacruellittlesentence，rappedoutbeforethinking，thatmadehimflushtotherootsofhishair。Hekepthimselftohimselfforthreedays，andthenputinfortwodays"leavetogoshootingnearaCanalEngineer"sRestHouseaboutthirtymilesout。Hegothisleave，andthatnightatMesswasnoisierandmoreoffensivethanever。Hesaidthathewas“goingtoshootbiggame，andleftathalf-pastteno"clockinanekka。

Partridge——whichwastheonlythingamancouldgetneartheRestHouse——isnotbiggame；soeveryonelaughed。

NextmorningoneoftheMajorscameinfromshortleave，andheardthatTheBoyhadgoneouttoshoot“biggame。”TheMajorhadtakenaninterestinTheBoy，andhad，morethanonce，triedtocheckhiminthecoldweather。TheMajorputuphiseyebrowswhenheheardoftheexpeditionandwenttoTheBoy"sroom，whereherummaged。

PresentlyhecameoutandfoundmeleavingcardsontheMess。

Therewasnooneelseintheante-room。

Hesaid:“TheBoyhasgoneoutshooting。DOESamanshootteturwitharevolverandawriting-case?“

Isaid:“Nonsense，Major！“forIsawwhatwasinhismind。

Hesaid:“Nonsenseornonsense，I"mgoingtotheCanalnow——atonce。Idon"tfeeleasy。”

Thenhethoughtforaminute，andsaid:“Canyoulie?“

“Youknowbest，“Ianswered。“It"smyprofession。”

“Verywell，“saidtheMajor；“youmustcomeoutwithmenow——atonce——inanekkatotheCanaltoshootblack-buck。Goandputonshikar-kit——quick——anddriveherewithagun。”

TheMajorwasamasterfulman；andIknewthathewouldnotgiveordersfornothing。SoIobeyed，andonreturnfoundtheMajorpackedupinanekka——gun-casesandfoodslungbelow——allreadyforashooting-trip。

Hedismissedthedriveranddrovehimself。Wejoggedalongquietlywhileinthestation；butassoonaswegottothedustyroadacrosstheplains，hemadethatponyfly。Acountry-bredcandonearlyanythingatapinch。Wecoveredthethirtymilesinunderthreehours，butthepoorbrutewasnearlydead。

OnceIsaid:“What"stheblazinghurry，Major?“

Hesaid，quietly:“TheBoyhasbeenalone，byhimself，for——one，two，five——fourteenhoursnow！Itellyou，Idon"tfeeleasy。”

Thisuneasinessspreaditselftome，andIhelpedtobeatthepony。

WhenwecametotheCanalEngineer"sRestHousetheMajorcalledforTheBoy"sservant；buttherewasnoanswer。Thenwewentuptothehouse，callingforTheBoybyname；buttherewasnoanswer。

“Oh，he"soutshooting，“saidI。

JustthenIsawthroughoneofthewindowsalittlehurricane-lampburning。Thiswasatfourintheafternoon。Webothstoppeddeadintheverandah，holdingourbreathtocatcheverysound；andweheard，insidetheroom，the“brr——brr——brr“ofamultitudeofflies。TheMajorsaidnothing，buthetookoffhishelmetandweenteredverysoftly。

TheBoywasdeadonthecharpoyinthecentreofthebare，lime-

washedroom。Hehadshothisheadnearlytopieceswithhisrevolver。Thegun-caseswerestillstrapped，sowasthebedding，andonthetablelayTheBoy"swriting-casewithphotographs。Hehadgoneawaytodielikeapoisonedrat！

TheMajorsaidtohimselfsoftly:“PoorBoy！Poor，POORdevil！“

Thenheturnedawayfromthebedandsaid:“Iwantyourhelpinthisbusiness。”

KnowingTheBoywasdeadbyhisownhand，Isawexactlywhatthathelpwouldbe，soIpassedovertothetable，tookachair，litacheroot，andbegantogothroughthewriting-case；theMajorlookingovermyshoulderandrepeatingtohimself:“Wecametoolate！——Likearatinahole！——Poor，POORdevil！“

TheBoymusthavespenthalfthenightinwritingtohispeople，andtohisColonel，andtoagirlatHome；andassoonashehadfinished，musthaveshothimself，forhehadbeendeadalongtimewhenwecamein。

Ireadallthathehadwritten，andpassedovereachsheettotheMajorasIfinishedit。

Wesawfromhisaccountshowveryseriouslyhehadtakeneverything。Hewroteabout“disgracewhichhewasunabletobear“——

“indelibleshame“——“criminalfolly“——“wastedlife，“andsoon；

besidesalotofprivatethingstohisFatherandMothertoomuchtoosacredtoputintoprint。ThelettertothegirlatHomewasthemostpitifulofall；andIchokedasIreadit。TheMajormadenoattempttokeepdry-eyed。Irespectedhimforthat。Hereadandrockedhimselftoandfro，andsimplycriedlikeawomanwithoutcaringtohideit。Thelettersweresodrearyandhopelessandtouching。WeforgotallaboutTheBoy"sfollies，andonlythoughtofthepoorThingonthecharpoyandthescrawledsheetsinourhands。ItwasutterlyimpossibletoletthelettersgoHome。

TheywouldhavebrokenhisFather"sheartandkilledhisMotherafterkillingherbeliefinherson。

AtlasttheMajordriedhiseyesopenly，andsaid:“NicesortofthingtospringonanEnglishfamily！Whatshallwedo?“

Isaid，knowingwhattheMajorhadbroughtmebutfor:“TheBoydiedofcholera。Wewerewithhimatthetime。Wecan"tcommitourselvestohalf-measures。Comealong。”

ThenbeganoneofthemostgrimycomicscenesIhaveevertakenpartin——theconcoctionofabig，writtenlie，bolsteredwithevidence，tosootheTheBoy"speopleatHome。Ibegantheroughdraftofaletter，theMajorthrowinginhintshereandtherewhilehegatheredupallthestuffthatTheBoyhadwrittenandburntitinthefireplace。Itwasahot，stilleveningwhenwebegan，andthelampburnedverybadly。InduecourseIgotthedrafttomysatisfaction，settingforthhowTheBoywasthepatternofallvirtues，belovedbyhisregiment，witheverypromiseofagreatcareerbeforehim，andsoon；howwehadhelpedhimthroughthesickness——itwasnotimeforlittlelies，youwillunderstand——andhowhehaddiedwithoutpain。IchokedwhileIwasputtingdownthesethingsandthinkingofthepoorpeoplewhowouldreadthem。

ThenIlaughedatthegrotesquenessoftheaffair，andthelaughtermixeditselfupwiththechoke——andtheMajorsaidthatwebothwanteddrinks。

Iamafraidtosayhowmuchwhiskeywedrankbeforetheletterwasfinished。Ithadnottheleasteffectonus。ThenwetookoffTheBoy"swatch，locket，andrings。

Lastly，theMajorsaid:“Wemustsendalockofhairtoo。Awomanvaluesthat。”

Buttherewerereasonswhywecouldnotfindalockfittosend。

TheBoywasblack-haired，andsowastheMajor，luckily。IcutoffapieceoftheMajor"shairabovethetemplewithaknife，andputitintothepacketweweremaking。Thelaughing-fitandthechokesgotholdofmeagain，andIhadtostop。TheMajorwasnearlyasbad；andwebothknewthattheworstpartoftheworkwastocome。

Wesealedupthepacket，photographs，locket，seals，ring，letter，andlockofhairwithTheBoy"ssealing-waxandTheBoy"sseal。

ThentheMajorsaid:“ForGod"ssakelet"sgetoutside——awayfromtheroom——andthink！“

Wewentoutside，andwalkedonthebanksoftheCanalforanhour，eatinganddrinkingwhatwehadwithus，untilthemoonrose。I

knownowexactlyhowamurdererfeels。Finally，weforcedourselvesbacktotheroomwiththelampandtheOtherThinginit，andbegantotakeupthenextpieceofwork。Iamnotgoingtowriteaboutthis。Itwastoohorrible。WeburnedthebedsteadanddroppedtheashesintotheCanal；wetookupthemattingoftheroomandtreatedthatinthesameway。Iwentofftoavillageandborrowedtwobighoes——Ididnotwantthevillagerstohelp——whiletheMajorarranged——theothermatters。Ittookusfourhours"hardworktomakethegrave。Asweworked，wearguedoutwhetheritwasrighttosayasmuchaswerememberedoftheBurialoftheDead。

WecompromisedthingsbysayingtheLord"sPrayerwithaprivateunofficialprayerforthepeaceofthesoulofTheBoy。Thenwefilledinthegraveandwentintotheverandah——notthehouse——toliedowntosleep。Weweredead-tired。

WhenwewoketheMajorsaid，wearily:“Wecan"tgobacktillto-

morrow。Wemustgivehimadecenttimetodiein。HediedearlyTHISmorning，remember。Thatseemsmorenatural。”SotheMajormusthavebeenlyingawakeallthetime，thinking。

Isaid:“Thenwhydidn"twebringthebodybacktothecantonments?“

TheMajorthoughtforaminute:——“Becausethepeopleboltedwhentheyheardofthecholera。Andtheekkahasgone！“

Thatwasstrictlytrue。Wehadforgottenallabouttheekka-pony，andhehadgonehome。

So，wewerelefttherealone，allthatstiflingday，intheCanalRestHouse，testingandre-testingourstoryofTheBoy"sdeathtoseeifitwasweakatanypoint。Anativeturnedupintheafternoon，butwesaidthataSahibwasdeadofcholera，andheranaway。Astheduskgathered，theMajortoldmeallhisfearsaboutTheBoy，andawfulstoriesofsuicideornearly-carried-outsuicide——talesthatmadeone"shaircrisp。HesaidthathehimselfhadoncegoneintothesameValleyoftheShadowastheBoy，whenhewasyoungandnewtothecountry；soheunderstoodhowthingsfoughttogetherinTheBoy"spoorjumbledhead。Healsosaidthatyoungsters，intheirrepentantmoments，considertheirsinsmuchmoreseriousandineffaceablethantheyreallyare。Wetalkedtogetherallthroughtheevening，andrehearsedthestoryofthedeathofTheBoy。Assoonasthemoonwasup，andTheBoy，theoretically，justburied，westruckacrosscountryfortheStation。Wewalkedfromeighttillsixo"clockinthemorning；butthoughweweredead-tired，wedidnotforgettogotoTheBoy"sroomandputawayhisrevolverwiththeproperamountofcartridgesinthepouch。Alsotosethiswriting-caseonthetable。WefoundtheColonelandreportedthedeath，feelingmorelikemurderersthanever。Thenwewenttobedandslepttheclockround；fortherewasnomoreinus。

Thetalehadcredenceaslongaswasnecessary，foreveryoneforgotaboutTheBoybeforeafortnightwasover。Manypeople，however，foundtimetosaythattheMajorhadbehavedscandalouslyinnotbringinginthebodyforaregimentalfuneral。ThesaddestthingofallwasaletterfromTheBoy"smothertotheMajorandme——withbiginkyblistersalloverthesheet。Shewrotethesweetestpossiblethingsaboutourgreatkindness，andtheobligationshewouldbeundertousaslongasshelived。

Allthingsconsidered，sheWASunderanobligation；butnotexactlyasshemeant。

MISSYOUGHAL"SSAIS。

WhenManandWomanareagreed，whatcantheKazido?

MahomedanProverb。

SomepeoplesaythatthereisnoromanceinIndia。Thosepeoplearewrong。Ourlivesholdquiteasmuchromanceasisgoodforus。

Sometimesmore。

StricklandwasinthePolice，andpeopledidnotunderstandhim；sotheysaidhewasadoubtfulsortofmanandpassedbyontheotherside。Stricklandhadhimselftothankforthis。HeheldtheextraordinarytheorythataPolicemaninIndiashouldtrytoknowasmuchaboutthenativesasthenativesthemselves。Now，inthewholeofUpperIndia，thereisonlyONEmanwhocanpassforHinduorMohammedan，chamarorfaquir，ashepleases。HeisfearedandrespectedbythenativesfromtheGhorKathritotheJammaMusjid；

andheissupposedtohavethegiftofinvisibilityandexecutivecontrolovermanyDevils。ButwhatgoodhasthisdonehimwiththeGovernment?Noneintheworld。HehasnevergotSimlaforhischarge；andhisnameisalmostunknowntoEnglishmen。

Stricklandwasfoolishenoughtotakethatmanforhismodel；and，followingouthisabsurdtheory，dabbledinunsavoryplacesnorespectablemanwouldthinkofexploring——allamongthenativeriff-raff。Heeducatedhimselfinthispeculiarwayforsevenyears，andpeoplecouldnotappreciateit。Hewasperpetually“goingFantee“amongthenatives，which，ofcourse，nomanwithanysensebelievesin。HewasinitiatedintotheSatBhaiatAllahabadonce，whenhewasonleave；heknewtheLizard-SongoftheSansis，andtheHalli-Hukkdance，whichisareligiouscan-canofastartlingkind。WhenamanknowswhodancestheHalli-Hukk，andhow，andwhen，andwhere，heknowssomethingtobeproudof。Hehasgonedeeperthantheskin。ButStricklandwasnotproud，thoughhehadhelpedonce，atJagadhri，atthePaintingoftheDeathBull，whichnoEnglishmanmustevenlookupon；hadmasteredthethieves"-patterofthechangars；hadtakenaEusufzaihorse-

thiefalonenearAttock；andhadstoodunderthemimbar-boardofaBordermosqueandconductedserviceinthemannerofaSunniMollah。

HiscrowningachievementwasspendingelevendaysasafaquirinthegardensofBabaAtalatAmritsar，andtherepickingupthethreadsofthegreatNasibanMurderCase。Butpeoplesaid，justlyenough:“Whyonearthcan"tStricklandsitinhisofficeandwriteuphisdiary，andrecruit，andkeepquiet，insteadofshowinguptheincapacityofhisseniors?“SotheNasibanMurderCasedidhimnogooddepartmentally；but，afterhisfirstfeelingofwrath，hereturnedtohisoutlandishcustomofpryingintonativelife。Bytheway，whenamanonceacquiresatasteforthisparticularamusement，itabideswithhimallhisdays。Itisthemostfascinatingthingintheworld；Lovenotexcepted。WhereothermentooktendaystotheHills，Stricklandtookleaveforwhathecalledshikar，putonthedisguisethatappealedtohimatthetime，steppeddownintothebrowncrowd，andwasswallowedupforawhile。Hewasaquiet，darkyoungfellow——spare，black-eyes——and，whenhewasnotthinkingofsomethingelse，averyinterestingcompanion。StricklandonNativeProgressashehadseenitwasworthhearing。NativeshatedStrickland；buttheywereafraidofhim。Heknewtoomuch。

WhentheYoughalscameintothestation，Strickland——verygravely，ashedideverything——fellinlovewithMissYoughal；andshe，afterawhile，fellinlovewithhimbecauseshecouldnotunderstandhim。ThenStricklandtoldtheparents；butMrs。YoughalsaidshewasnotgoingtothrowherdaughterintotheworstpaidDepartmentintheEmpire，andoldYoughalsaid，insomanywords，thathemistrustedStrickland"swaysandworks，andwouldthankhimnottospeakorwritetohisdaughteranymore。“Verywell，“saidStrickland，forhedidnotwishtomakehislady-love"slifeaburden。AfteronelongtalkwithMissYoughalhedroppedthebusinessentirely。

TheYoughalswentuptoSimlainApril。

InJuly，Stricklandsecuredthreemonths"leaveon“urgentprivateaffairs。”Helockeduphishouse——thoughnotanativeintheProvidencewouldwittinglyhavetouched“EstreekinSahib"s“gearfortheworld——andwentdowntoseeafriendofhis，anolddyer，atTarnTaran。

Herealltraceofhimwaslost，untilasaismetmeontheSimlaMallwiththisextraordinarynote:

“Dearoldman，Pleasegivebeareraboxofcheroots——Supers，No。I，forpreference。TheyarefreshestattheClub。I"llrepaywhenI

reappear；butatpresentI"moutofSociety。

Yours，E。STRICKLAND。”

Iorderedtwoboxes，andhandedthemovertothesaiswithmylove。

ThatsaiswasStrickland，andhewasinoldYoughal"semploy，attachedtoMissYoughal"sArab。ThepoorfellowwassufferingforanEnglishsmoke，andknewthatwhateverhappenedIshouldholdmytonguetillthebusinesswasover。

Lateron，Mrs。Youghal，whowaswrappedupinherservants，begantalkingathouseswhereshecalledofherparagonamongsaises——themanwhowasnevertoobusytogetupinthemorningandpickflowersforthebreakfast-table，andwhoblacked——actuallyBLACKED——

thehoofsofhishorselikeaLondoncoachman！TheturnoutofMissYoughal"sArabwasawonderandadelight。Strickland——

Dulloo，Imean——foundhisrewardintheprettythingsthatMissYoughalsaidtohimwhenshewentoutriding。HerparentswerepleasedtofindshehadforgottenallherfoolishnessforyoungStricklandandsaidshewasagoodgirl。

Stricklandvowsthatthetwomonthsofhisservicewerethemostrigidmentaldisciplinehehasevergonethrough。Quiteapartfromthelittlefactthatthewifeofoneofhisfellow-saisesfellinlovewithhimandthentriedtopoisonhimwitharsenicbecausehewouldhavenothingtodowithher，hehadtoschoolhimselfintokeepingquietwhenMissYoughalwentoutridingwithsomemanwhotriedtoflirtwithher，andhewasforcedtotrotbehindcarryingtheblanketandhearingeveryword！Also，hehadtokeephistemperwhenhewasslangedin“Benmore“porchbyapoliceman——

especiallyoncewhenhewasabusedbyaNaikhehadhimselfrecruitedfromIsserJangvillage——or，worsestill，whenayoungsubalterncalledhimapigfornotmakingwayquicklyenough。

Butthelifehaditscompensations。Heobtainedgreatinsightintothewaysandtheftsofsaises——enough，hesays，tohavesummarilyconvictedhalfthechamarpopulationofthePunjabifhehadbeenonbusiness。Hebecameoneoftheleadingplayersatknuckle-

bones，whichalljhampanisandmanysaisesplaywhiletheyarewaitingoutsidetheGovernmentHouseortheGaietyTheatreofnights；helearnedtosmoketobaccothatwasthree-fourthscowdung；

andheheardthewisdomofthegrizzledJemadaroftheGovernmentHousesaises，whosewordsarevaluable。Hesawmanythingswhichamusedhim；andhestates，onhonor，thatnomancanappreciateSimlaproperly，tillhehasseenitfromthesais"spointofview。

Healsosaysthat，ifhechosetowriteallhesaw，hisheadwouldbebrokeninseveralplaces。

Strickland"saccountoftheagonyheenduredonwetnights，hearingthemusicandseeingthelightsin“Benmore，“withhistoestinglingforawaltzandhisheadinahorse-blanket，isratheramusing。Oneofthesedays，Stricklandisgoingtowritealittlebookonhisexperiences。Thatbookwillbeworthbuying；andevenmore，worthsuppressing。

Thus，heservedfaithfullyasJacobservedforRachel；andhisleavewasnearlyatanendwhentheexplosioncame。HehadreallydonehisbesttokeephistemperinthehearingoftheflirtationsIhavementioned；buthebrokedownatlast。AnoldandverydistinguishedGeneraltookMissYoughalforaride，andbeganthatspeciallyoffensive“you"re-only-a-little-girl“sortofflirtation——

mostdifficultforawomantoturnasidedeftly，andmostmaddeningtolistento。MissYoughalwasshakingwithfearatthethingshesaidinthehearingofhersais。Dulloo——Strickland——

stooditaslongashecould。ThenhecaughtholdoftheGeneral"sbridle，and，inmostfluentEnglish，invitedhimtostepoffandbeheavedoverthecliff。NextminuteMissYoughalbegancrying；andStricklandsawthathehadhopelesslygivenhimselfaway，andeverythingwasover。

TheGeneralnearlyhadafit，whileMissYoughalwassobbingoutthestoryofthedisguiseandtheengagementthatwasn"trecognizedbytheparents。StricklandwasfuriouslyangrywithhimselfandmoreangrywiththeGeneralforforcinghishand；sohesaidnothing，butheldthehorse"sheadandpreparedtothrashtheGeneralassomesortofsatisfaction，butwhentheGeneralhadthoroughlygraspedthestory，andknewwhoStricklandwas，hebegantopuffandblowinthesaddle，andnearlyrolledoffwithlaughing。HesaidStricklanddeservedaV。C。，ifitwereonlyforputtingonasais"sblanket。Thenhecalledhimselfnames，andvowedthathedeservedathrashing，buthewastoooldtotakeitfromStrickland。ThenhecomplimentedMissYoughalonherlover。

Thescandalofthebusinessneverstruckhim；forhewasaniceoldman，withaweaknessforflirtations。Thenhelaughedagain，andsaidthatoldYoughalwasafool。Stricklandletgoofthecob"shead，andsuggestedthattheGeneralhadbetterhelpthem，ifthatwashisopinion。StricklandknewYoughal"sweaknessformenwithtitlesandlettersaftertheirnamesandhighofficialposition。

“It"sratherlikeaforty-minutefarce，“saidtheGeneral，“butbegad，IWILLhelp，ifit"sonlytoescapethattremendousthrashingIdeserved。Goalongtoyourhome，mysais-Policeman，andchangeintodecentkit，andI"llattackMr。Youghal。MissYoughal，mayIaskyoutocanterhomeandwait?……

Aboutsevenminuteslater，therewasawildhurrooshattheClub。

Asais，withablanketandhead-rope，wasaskingallthemenheknew:“ForHeaven"ssakelendmedecentclothes！“Asthemendidnotrecognizehim，thereweresomepeculiarscenesbeforeStricklandcouldgetahotbath，withsodainit，inoneroom，ashirthere，acollarthere，apairoftrouserselsewhere，andsoon。Hegallopedoff，withhalftheClubwardrobeonhisback，andanutterstranger"sponyunderhim，tothehouseofoldYoughal。

TheGeneral，arrayedinpurpleandfinelinen，wasbeforehim。

WhattheGeneralhadsaidStricklandneverknew，butYoughalreceivedStricklandwithmoderatecivility；andMrs。Youghal，touchedbythedevotionofthetransformedDulloo，wasalmostkind。

TheGeneralbeamed，andchuckled，andMissYoughalcamein，andalmostbeforeoldYoughalknewwherehewas，theparentalconsenthadbeenwrenchedoutandStricklandhaddepartedwithMissYoughaltotheTelegraphOfficetowireforhiskit。ThefinalembarrassmentwaswhenanutterstrangerattackedhimontheMallandaskedforthestolenpony。

So，intheend，StricklandandMissYoughalweremarried，onthestrictunderstandingthatStricklandshoulddrophisoldways，andsticktoDepartmentalroutine，whichpaysbestandleadstoSimla。

Stricklandwasfartoofondofhiswife，justthen，tobreakhisword，butitwasasoretrialtohim；forthestreetsandthebazars，andthesoundsinthem，werefullofmeaningtoStrickland，andthesecalledtohimtocomebackandtakeuphiswanderingsandhisdiscoveries。Someday，Iwilltellyouhowhebrokehispromisetohelpafriend。Thatwaslongsince，andhehas，bythistime，beennearlyspoiltforwhathewouldcallshikar。Heisforgettingtheslang，andthebeggar"scant，andthemarks，andthesigns，andthedriftoftheundercurrents，which，ifamanwouldmaster，hemustalwayscontinuetolearn。

ButhefillsinhisDepartmentalreturnsbeautifully。

YOKEDWITHANUNBELIEVER。

Iamdyingforyou，andyouaredyingforanother。

PunjabiProverb。

WhentheGravesendtenderlefttheP。&0。steamerforBombayandwentbacktocatchthetraintoTown，thereweremanypeopleinitcrying。Buttheonewhoweptmost，andmostopenlywasMissAgnesLaiter。Shehadreasontocry，becausetheonlymansheeverloved——orevercouldlove，soshesaid——wasgoingouttoIndia；andIndia，aseveryoneknows，isdividedequallybetweenjungle，tigers，cobras，cholera，andsepoys。

PhilGarron，leaningoverthesideofthesteamerintherain，feltveryunhappytoo；buthedidnotcry。Hewassentoutto“tea。”

What“tea“meanthehadnotthevaguestidea，butfanciedthathewouldhavetorideonaprancinghorseoverhillscoveredwithtea-

vines，anddrawasumptuoussalaryfordoingso；andhewasverygratefultohisuncleforgettinghimtheberth。Hewasreallygoingtoreformallhisslack，shiftlessways，savealargeproportionofhismagnificentsalaryyearly，and，inaveryshorttime，returntomarryAgnesLaiter。PhilGarronhadbeenlyinglooseonhisfriends"handsforthreeyears，and，ashehadnothingtodo，henaturallyfellinlove。Hewasverynice；buthewasnotstronginhisviewsandopinionsandprinciples，andthoughhenevercametoactualgriefhisfriendswerethankfulwhenhesaidgood-bye，andwentouttothismysterious“tea“businessnearDarjiling。Theysaid:——“Godblessyou，dearboy！Letusneverseeyourfaceagain，“——oratleastthatwaswhatPhilwasgiventounderstand。

Whenhesailed，hewasveryfullofagreatplantoprovehimselfseveralhundredtimesbetterthananyonehadgivenhimcreditfor——

toworklikeahorse，andtriumphantlymarryAgnesLaiter。Hehadmanygoodpointsbesideshisgoodlooks；hisonlyfaultbeingthathewasweak，theleastlittlebitintheworldweak。HehadasmuchnotionofeconomyastheMorningSun；andyetyoucouldnotlayyourhandonanyoneitem，andsay:“HereinPhilGarronisextravagantorreckless。”Norcouldyoupointoutanyparticularviceinhischaracter；buthewas“unsatisfactory“andasworkableasputty。

AgnesLaiterwentaboutherdutiesathome——herfamilyobjectedtotheengagement——withredeyes，whilePhilwassailingtoDarjiling——

“aportontheBengalOcean，“ashismotherusedtotellherfriends。Hewaspopularenoughonboardship，mademanyacquaintancesandamoderatelylargeliquorbill，andsentoffhugeletterstoAgnesLaiterateachport。Thenhefelltoworkonthisplantation，somewherebetweenDarjilingandKangra，and，thoughthesalaryandthehorseandtheworkwerenotquiteallhehadfancied，hesucceededfairlywell，andgavehimselfmuchunnecessarycreditforhisperseverance。

Inthecourseoftime，ashesettledmoreintocollar，andhisworkgrewfixedbeforehim，thefaceofAgnesLaiterwentoutofhismindandonlycamewhenhewasatleisure，whichwasnotoften。Hewouldforgetallaboutherforafortnight，andrememberherwithastart，likeaschool-boywhohasforgottentolearnhislesson。

ShedidnotforgetPhil，becauseshewasofthekindthatneverforgets。Only，anotherman——areallydesirableyoungman——

presentedhimselfbeforeMrs。Laiter；andthechanceofamarriagewithPhilwasasfaroffasever；andhislettersweresounsatisfactory；andtherewasacertainamountofdomesticpressurebroughttobearonthegirl；andtheyoungmanreallywasaneligiblepersonasincomesgo；andtheendofallthingswasthatAgnesmarriedhim，andwroteatempestuouswhirlwindofalettertoPhilinthewildsofDarjiling，andsaidsheshouldneverknowahappymomentalltherestofherlife。Whichwasatrueprophecy。

Philgotthatletter，andheldhimselfill-treated。Thiswastwoyearsafterhehadcomeout；butbydintofthinkingfixedlyofAgnesLaiter，andlookingatherphotograph，andpattinghimselfonthebackforbeingoneofthemostconstantloversinhistory，andwarmingtotheworkashewenton，hereallyfanciedthathehadbeenveryhardlyused。Hesatdownandwroteonefinalletter——areallypathetic“worldwithoutend，amen，“epistle；explaininghowhewouldbetruetoEternity，andthatallwomenwereverymuchalike，andhewouldhidehisbrokenheart，etc。，etc。；butif，atanyfuturetime，etc。，etc。，hecouldaffordtowait，etc。，etc。，unchangedaffections，etc。，etc。，returntoheroldlove，etc。，etc。，foreightclosely-writtenpages。Fromanartisticpointofview，itwasveryneatwork，butanordinaryPhilistine，whoknewthestateofPhil"srealfeelings——nottheonesherosetoashewentonwriting——wouldhavecalleditthethoroughlymeanandselfishworkofathoroughlymeanandselfish，weakman。Butthisverdictwouldhavebeenincorrect。Philpaidforthepostage，andfelteverywordhehadwrittenforatleasttwodaysandahalf。

Itwasthelastflickerbeforethelightwentout。

ThatlettermadeAgnesLaiterveryunhappy，andshecriedandputitawayinherdesk，andbecameMrs。SomebodyElseforthegoodofherfamily。WhichisthefirstdutyofeveryChristianmaid。

Philwenthisways，andthoughtnomoreofhisletter，exceptasanartistthinksofaneatlytouched-insketch。Hiswayswerenotbad，buttheywerenotaltogethergooduntiltheybroughthimacrossDunmaya，thedaughterofaRajputex-Subadar-MajorofourNativeArmy。ThegirlhadastrainofHillbloodinher，and，liketheHillwomen，wasnotapurdahnashin。WherePhilmether，orhowheheardofher，doesnotmatter。Shewasagoodgirlandhandsome，and，inherway，verycleverandshrewd；though，ofcourse，alittlehard。ItistoberememberedthatPhilwaslivingverycomfortably，denyinghimselfnosmallluxury，neverputtingbyananna，verysatisfiedwithhimselfandhisgoodintentions，wasdroppingallhisEnglishcorrespondentsonebyone，andbeginningmoreandmoretolookuponthislandashishome。Somemenfallthisway；andtheyareofnouseafterwards。Theclimatewherehewasstationedwasgood，anditreallydidnotseemtohimthattherewasanythingtogoHomefor。

Hedidwhatmanyplantershavedonebeforehim——thatistosay，hemadeuphismindtomarryaHillgirlandsettledown。Hewassevenandtwentythen，withalonglifebeforehim，butnospirittogothroughwithit。SohemarriedDunmayabytheformsoftheEnglishChurch，andsomefellow-planterssaidhewasafool，andsomesaidhewasawiseman。Dunmayawasathoroughlyhonestgirl，and，inspiteofherreverenceforanEnglishman，hadareasonableestimateofherhusband"sweaknesses。Shemanagedhimtenderly，andbecame，inlessthanayear，averypassableimitationofanEnglishladyindressandcarriage。[ItiscurioustothinkthataHillman，afteralifetime"seducation，isaHillmanstill；butaHillwomancaninsixmonthsmastermostofthewaysofherEnglishsisters。Therewasacooliewomanonce。Butthatisanotherstory。]Dunmayadressedbypreferenceinblackandyellow，andlookedwell。

MeantimetheletterlayinAgnes"sdesk，andnowandagainshewouldthinkofpoorresolutehard-workingPhilamongthecobrasandtigersofDarjiling，toilinginthevainhopethatshemightcomebacktohim。HerhusbandwasworthtenPhils，exceptthathehadrheumatismoftheheart。Threeyearsafterhewasmarried——andafterhehadtriedNiceandAlgeriaforhiscomplaint——hewenttoBombay，wherehedied，andsetAgnesfree。Beingadevoutwoman，shelookedonhisdeathandtheplaceofit，asadirectinterpositionofProvidence，andwhenshehadrecoveredfromtheshock，shetookoutandrereadPhil"sletterwiththe“etc。，etc。，“

andthebigdashes，andthelittledashes，andkisseditseveraltimes。NooneknewherinBombay；shehadherhusband"sincome，whichwasalargeone，andPhilwascloseathand。Itwaswrongandimproper，ofcourse，butshedecided，asheroinesdoinnovels，tofindheroldlover，toofferhimherhandandhergold，andwithhimspendtherestofherlifeinsomespotfarfromunsympatheticsouls。Shesatfortwomonths，aloneinWatson"sHotel，elaboratingthisdecision，andthepicturewasaprettyone。ThenshesetoutinsearchofPhilGarron，Assistantonateaplantationwithamorethanusuallyunpronounceablename……

Shefoundhim。Shespentamonthoverit，，forhisplantationwasnotintheDarjilingdistrictatall，butnearerKangra。Philwasverylittlealtered，andDunmayawasverynicetoher。

NowtheparticularsinandshameofthewholebusinessisthatPhil，whoreallyisnotworththinkingoftwice，wasandislovedbyDunmaya，andmorethanlovedbyAgnes，thewholeofwhoselifeheseemstohavespoilt。

Worstofall，Dunmayaismakingadecentmanofhim；andhewillbeultimatelysavedfromperditionthroughhertraining。

Whichismanifestlyunfair。

FALSEDAWN。

To-nightGodknowswhatthingshalltide，TheEarthisrackedandfaint——

Expectant，sleepless，open-eyed；

Andwe，whofromtheEarthweremade，ThrillwithourMother"spain。

InDurance。

Nomanwilleverknowtheexacttruthofthisstory；thoughwomenmaysometimeswhisperittooneanotherafteradance，whentheyareputtinguptheirhairforthenightandcomparinglistsofvictims。Aman，ofcourse，cannotassistatthesefunctions。Sothetalemustbetoldfromtheoutside——inthedark——allwrong。

Neverpraiseasistertoasister，inthehopeofyourcomplimentsreachingtheproperears，andsopreparingthewayforyoulateron。Sistersarewomenfirst，andsistersafterwards；andyouwillfindthatyoudoyourselfharm。

SaumarezknewthiswhenhemadeuphismindtoproposetotheelderMissCopleigh。Saumarezwasastrangeman，withfewmerits，sofarasmencouldsee，thoughhewaspopularwithwomen，andcarriedenoughconceittostockaViceroy"sCouncilandleavealittleoverfortheCommander-in-Chief"sStaff。HewasaCivilian。VerymanywomentookaninterestinSaumarez，perhaps，becausehismannertothemwasoffensive。Ifyouhitaponyoverthenoseattheoutsetofyouracquaintance，hemaynotloveyou，buthewilltakeadeepinterestinyourmovementseverafterwards。TheelderMissCopleighwasnice，plump，winningandpretty。Theyoungerwasnotsopretty，and，frommendisregardingthehintsetforthabove，herstylewasrepellantandunattractive。Bothgirlshad，practically，thesamefigure，andtherewasastronglikenessbetweentheminlookandvoice；thoughnoonecoulddoubtforaninstantwhichwasthenicerofthetwo。

Saumarezmadeuphismind，assoonastheycameintothestationfromBehar，tomarrytheelderone。Atleast，weallmadesurethathewould，whichcomestothesamething。Shewastwoandtwenty，andhewasthirty-three，withpayandallowancesofnearlyfourteenhundredrupeesamonth。Sothematch，aswearrangedit，wasineverywayagoodone。Saumarezwashisname，andsummarywashisnature，asamanoncesaid。HavingdraftedhisResolution，heformedaSelectCommitteeofOnetosituponit，andresolvedtotakehistime。Inourunpleasantslang，theCopleighgirls“huntedincouples。”Thatistosay，youcoulddonothingwithonewithouttheother。Theywereverylovingsisters；buttheirmutualaffectionwassometimesinconvenient。Saumarezheldthebalance-

hairtruebetweenthem，andnonebuthimselfcouldhavesaidtowhichsidehisheartinclined；thougheveryoneguessed。Herodewiththemagooddealanddancedwiththem，butheneversucceededindetachingthemfromeachotherforanylengthoftime。

Womensaidthatthetwogirlskepttogetherthroughdeepmistrust，eachfearingthattheotherwouldstealamarchonher。Butthathasnothingtodowithaman。Saumarezwassilentforgoodorbad，andasbusiness-likelyattentiveashecouldbe，havingdueregardtohisworkandhispolo。Beyonddoubtbothgirlswerefondofhim。

Asthehotweatherdrewnearer，andSaumarezmadenosign，womensaidthatyoucouldseetheirtroubleintheeyesofthegirls——

thattheywerelookingstrained，anxious，andirritable。Menarequiteblindinthesemattersunlesstheyhavemoreofthewomanthanthemanintheircomposition，inwhichcaseitdoesnotmatterwhattheysayorthink。ImaintainitwasthehotAprildaysthattookthecoloroutoftheCopleighgirls"cheeks。TheyshouldhavebeensenttotheHillsearly。Noone——manorwoman——feelsanangelwhenthehotweatherisapproaching。Theyoungersistergrewmorecynical——nottosayacid——inherways；andthewinningnessoftheelderworethin。Therewasmoreeffortinit。

NowtheStationwhereinallthesethingshappenedwas，thoughnotalittleone，offthelineofrail，andsufferedthroughwantofattention。Therewerenogardensorbandsoramusementsworthspeakingof，anditwasnearlyaday"sjourneytocomeintoLahoreforadance。Peopleweregratefulforsmallthingstointerestthem。

AboutthebeginningofMay，andjustbeforethefinalexodusofHill-goers，whentheweatherwasveryhotandtherewerenotmorethantwentypeopleintheStation，Saumarezgaveamoonlightriding-picnicatanoldtomb，sixmilesaway，nearthebedoftheriver。Itwasa“Noah"sArk“picnic；andtherewastobetheusualarrangementofquarter-mileintervalsbetweeneachcouple，onaccountofthedust。Sixcouplescamealtogether，includingchaperons。Moonlightpicnicsareusefuljustattheveryendoftheseason，beforeallthegirlsgoawaytotheHills。Theyleadtounderstandings，andshouldbeencouragedbychaperones；

especiallythosewhosegirlslooksweetishinridinghabits。I

knewacaseonce。Butthatisanotherstory。Thatpicnicwascalledthe“GreatPopPicnic，“becauseeveryoneknewSaumarezwouldproposethentotheeldestMissCopleigh；and，besidehisaffair，therewasanotherwhichmightpossiblycometohappiness。

Thesocialatmospherewasheavilychargedandwantedclearing。

Wemetattheparade-groundatten:thenightwasfearfullyhot。