第1章

类别:其他 作者:Kipling, Rudyard字数:25847更新时间:18/12/20 11:12:25
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。