"Iain’tmovin’，"saidtheCorporal，raisinghishead;"youdaren’t’itamanon’islegs。LetgoO’JerryBlazesan’comeoutO’thatwithyourfistes。Comean’’itme。Youdaren’t，youbloomin’
dog-shooter！"
"Idare。"
"Youlie，youman-sticker。Yousneakin’，Sheenybutcher，youlie。
Seethere！"Slanekickedtherifleaway，andstoodupintheperilofhislife。"Comeon，now！"
ThetemptationwasmorethanSimmonscouldresist，fortheCorporalinhiswhiteclothesofferedaperfectmark。
"Don’tmisnameme，"shoutedSimmons，firingashespoke。Theshotmissed，andtheshooter，blindwithrage，threwhisrifledownandrushedatSlanefromtheprotectionofthewell。Withinstrikingdistance，hekickedsavagelyatSlane’sstomach，buttheweedyCorporalknewsomethingofSimmons’sweakness，andknew，too，thedeadlyguardforthatkick。Bowingforwardanddrawinguphisrightlegtilltheheeloftherightfootwassetsomethreeinchesabovetheinsideoftheleftknee-cap，hemettheblowstandingononeleg——exactlyasGondsstandwhentheymeditate——andreadyforthefallthatwouldfollow。Therewasanoath，theCorporalfelloverhisownleftasshinbonemetshinbone，andthePrivatecollapsed，hisrightlegbrokenaninchabovetheankle。
"’Pityyoudon’tknowthatguard，Sim，"saidSlane，spittingoutthedustasherose。Thenraisinghisvoice——"Comean’takehimorf。
I’vebruk’isleg。"Thiswasnotstrictlytrue，forthePrivatehadaccomplishedhisowndownfall，sinceitisthespecialmeritofthatleg-guardthattheharderthekickthegreaterthekicker’sdiscomfiture。
SlanewalkedtoJerryBlazesandhungoverhimwithostentatiousanxiety，whileSimmons，weepingwithpain，wascarriedaway。"
’Opeyouain’t’urtbadly，Sir，"saidSlane。TheMajorhadfainted，andtherewasanugly，raggedholethroughthetopofhisarm。
Slanekneltdownandmurmured。"S’elpme，Ibelieve’e’sdead。
Well，ifthatain’tmybloomingluckallover！"
ButtheMajorwasdestinedtoleadhisBatteryafieldformanyalongdaywithunshakennerve。Hewasremoved，andnursedandpettedintoconvalescence，whiletheBatterydiscussedthewisdomofcapturingSimmons，andblowinghimfromagun。TheyidolizedtheirMajor，andhisreappearanceonparadebroughtaboutascenenowhereprovidedforintheArmyRegulations。
Great，too，wastheglorythatfelltoSlane’sshare。TheGunnerswouldhavemadehimdrunkthriceadayforatleastafortnight。
EventheColonelofhisownregimentcomplimentedhimuponhiscoolness，andthelocalpapercalledhimahero。Thesethingsdidnotpuffhimup。WhentheMajorofferedhimmoneyandthanks，thevirtuousCorporaltooktheoneandputasidetheother。Buthehadarequesttomakeandprefaceditwithmanya"Begy’pardon，Sir。"CouldtheMajorseehiswaytolettingtheSlaneM’KennaweddingbeadornedbythepresenceoffourBatteryhorsestopullahiredbarouche？TheMajorcould，andsocouldtheBattery。
Excessivelyso。Itwasagorgeouswedding。
******
"WotdidIdoitfor？"saidCorporalSlane。"Forthe’orsesO’
course。Jhansiain’tabeautytolookat，butIwasn’tgoin’to’aveahiredturn-out。JerryBlazes？IfI’adn’t’a’wantedsomething，Simmightha’blowedJerryBlazes’blooming’eadintoHirishstewforaughtI’d’a’cared。"
AndtheyhangedPrivateSimmons-hangedhimashighasHamaninhollowsquareoftheregiment;andtheColonelsaiditwasDrink;andtheChaplainwassureitwastheDevil;andSimmonsfancieditwasboth，buthedidn’tknow，andonlyhopedhisfatewouldbeawarningtohiscompanions;andhalfadozen"intelligentpublicists"wrotesixbeautifulleadingarticleson"’ThePrevalenceofCrimeintheArmy。"
Butnotasoulthoughtofcomparingthe"bloody-mindedSimmons"tothesquawking，gapingschoolgirlwithwhichthisstoryopens。
TheEnlightenmentsofPagett，M。P。
"Becausehalfadozengrasshoppersunderafernmakethefieldringwiththeirimportunatechinkwhilethousandsofgreatcattle，reposedbeneaththeshadowoftheBritishoak，chewthecudandaresilent，praydonotimaginethatthosewhomakethenoisearetheonlyinhabitantsofthefield-that，ofcourse，theyaremanyinnumberorthat，afterall，theyareotherthanthelittle，shrivelled，meagre，hopping，thoughloudandtroublesomeinsectsofthehour。"-Burke："ReflectionsontheRevolutioninFrance。"
THEYweresittingintheverandaof"thesplendidpalaceofanIndianPro-Consul";surroundedbyallthegloryandmysteryoftheimmemorialEast。InplainEnglishitwasaone-storied，ten-roomed，whitewashed，mud-roofedbungalow，setinadrygardenofdustytamarisktreesanddividedfromtheroadbyalowmudwall。Thegreenparrotsscreamedoverheadastheyflewinbattalionstotheriverfortheirmorningdrink。Beyondthewall，cloudsoffinedustshowedwherethecattleandgoatsofthecitywerepassingafieldtograze。TheremorselesswhitelightofthewintersunshineofNorthernIndialayuponeverythingandimprovednothing，fromthewhiningPeisian-wheelbythelawn-tenniscourttothelongperspectiveoflevelroadandtheblue，domedtombsofMohammedansaintsjustvisibleabovethetrees。
"AHappyNewYear，"saidOrdetohisguest。"It’sthefirstyou’veeverspentoutofEngland，isn’tit？"
"Yes。’HappyNewYear，"saidPagett，smilingatthesunshine。
"Whatadivineclimateyouhavehere！JustthinkofthebrowncoldfoghangingoverLondonnow！"Andherubbedhishands。
ItwasmorethantwentyyearssincehehadlastseenOrde，hisschoolmate，andtheirpathsintheworldhaddividedearly。Theonehadquittedcollegetobecomeacog-wheelinthemachineryofthegreatIndianGovernment;theothermoreblessedwithgoods，hadbeenwhirledintoasimilarpositionintheEnglishscheme。
ThreesuccessiveelectionshadnotaffectedPagett’spositionwithaloyalconstituency，andhehadgrowninsensiblytoregardhimselfinsomesortasapillaroftheEmpire，whoserealworthwouldbeknownlateron。Afterafewyearsofconscientiousattendanceatmanydivisions，afternewspaperbattlesinnumerableandthepublicationofinterminablecorrespondence，andmorehastyoratorythaninhiscalmermomentshecaredtothinkupon，itoccurredtohim，asithadoccurredtomanyofhisfellowsinParliament，thatatourtoIndiawouldenablehimtosweepalargerlyreandaddresshimselftotheproblemsofImperialadministrationwithafirmerhand。Accepting，therefore，ageneralinvitationextendedtohimbyOrdesomeyearsbefore，PagetthadtakenshiptoKarachi，andonlyover-nighthadbeenreceivedwithjoybytheDeputy-CommissionerofAmara。Theyhadsatlate，discussingthechangesandchancesoftwentyyears，recallingthenamesofthedead，andweighingthefuturesoftheliving，asisthecustomofmenmeetingafterintervalsofaction。
Nextmorningtheysmokedtheafterbreakfastpipeintheveranda，stillregardingeachothercuriously，Pagett，inalightgreyfrock-coatandgarmentsmuchtoothinforthetimeoftheyear，andapuggriedsun-hatcarefullyandwonderfullymade。Ordeinashootingcoat，ridingbreeches，browncowhidebootswithspurs，andabatteredflaxhelmet。Hehadriddensomemilesintheearlymorningtoinspectadoubtfulriverdam。Themen’sfacesdifferedasmuchastheirattire。Orde’swornandwrinkledaroundtheeyes，andgrizzledatthetemples，wastheharderandmoresquareofthetwo，anditwaswithsomethinglikeenvythattheownerlookedatthecomfortableoutlinesofPagett’sblandlyreceptivecountenance，theclearskin，theuntroubledeye，andthemobile，clean-shavedlips。
"AndthisisIndia！"saidPagettforthetwentiethtimestaringlongandintentlyatthegreyfeatheringoftbetamarisks。
"OneportionofIndiaonly。It’sverymuchlikethisfor300milesineverydirection。Bytheway，nowthatyouhaverestedalittle——I
wouldn’tasktheoldquestionbefore——whatd’youthinkofthecountry？"
’Tisthemostpervasivecountrythateveryetwasseen。IacquiredseveralpoundsofyourcountrycomingupfromKarachi。Theairisheavywithit，andformilesandmilesalongthatdistressfuleternityofrailthere’snohorizontoshowwhereairandearthseparate。"
"Yes。Itisn’teasytoseetrulyorfarinIndia。Butyouhadadecentpassageout，hadn’tyou？"
"Verygoodonthewhole。YourAnglo-Indianmaybeunsympatheticaboutone’spoliticalviews;buthehasreducedshiplifetoascience。"
"TheAnglo-Indianisapoliticalorphan，andifhe’swisehewon’tbeinahurrytobeadoptedbyyourpartygrandmothers。Buthowwereyourcompanions，unsympathetic？"
"Well，therewasamancalledDawlishe，ajudgesomewhereinthiscountryitseems，andacapitalpartneratwhistbytheway，andwhenIwantedtotalktohimabouttheprogressofIndiainapoliticalsense（Ordehidagrin，whichmightormightnothavebeensympathetic），theNationalCongressmovement，andotherthingsinwhich，asaMemberofParliament，I’mofcourseinterested，heshiftedthesubject，andwhenIoncecorneredhim，helookedmecalmlyintheeye，andsaid：’That’sallTommyrot。
ComeandhaveagameatBull。’Youmaylaugh;butthatisn’tthewaytotreatagreatandimportantquestion;and，knowingwhoI
was。well。Ithoughtitratherrude，don’tyouknow;andyetDawlisheisathoroughlygoodfellow。"
"Yes;he’safriendofmine，andoneofthestraightestmenIknow。
Isuppose，likemanyAnglo-Indians，hefeltitwashopelesstogiveyouanyjustideaofanyIndianquestionwithoutthedocumentsbeforeyou，andinthiscasethedocumentsyouwantarethecountryandthepeople。"
"Precisely。ThatwaswhyIcamestraighttoyou，bringinganopenmindtobearonthings。I’manxioustoknowwhatpopularfeelinginIndiaisreallylikey’know，nowthatithaswakenedintopoliticallife。TheNationalCongress，inspiteofDawlishe，musthavecausedgreatexcitementamongthemasses？"
"Onthecontrary，nothingcouldbemoretranquilthanthestateofpopularfeeling;andastoexcitement，thepeoplewouldassoonbeexcitedoverthe’RuleofThree’asovertheCongress。"
"Excuseme，Orde，butdoyouthinkyouareafairjudge？Isn’ttheofficialAnglo-Indiannaturallyjealousofanyexternalinfluencesthatmightmovethemasses，andsomuchopposedtoliberalideas，trulyliberalideas，thathecanscarcelybeexpectedtoregardapopularmovementwithfairness？"
"WhatdidDawlishesayaboutTommyRot？Thinkamoment，oldman。YouandIwerebroughtuptogether;taughtbythesametutors，readthesamebooks，livedthesamelife，andnewlanguages，andworkamongnewraces;whileyou，morefortunate，remainathome。WhyshouldIchangemymindourmind-becauseIchangemysky？WhyshouldIandthefewhundredEnglishmeninmyservicebecomeunreasonable，prejudicedfossils，whileyouandyournewerfriendsaloneremainbrightandopen-minded？
Yousurelydon’tfancyciviliansaremembersofaPrimroseLeague？"
"Ofcoursenot，butthemerepositionofanEnglishofficialgiveshimapointofviewwhichcannotbutbiashismindonthisquestion。"Pagettmovedhiskneeupanddownalittleuneasilyashespoke。
"Thatsoundsplausibleenough，but，likemoreplausiblenotionsonIndianmatters，Ibelieveit’samistake。You’llfindwhenyoucometoconsulttheunofficialBritonthatourfault，asaclass——Ispeakoftheciviliannow-israthertomagnifytheprogressthathasbeenmadetowardliberalinstitutions。ItisofEnglishorigin，suchasitis，andthestressofourworksincetheMutiny——onlythirtyyearsago——hasbeeninthatdirection。No，IthinkyouwillgetnofairerormoredispassionateviewoftheCongressbusinessthansuchmenasIcangiveyou。ButImayaswellsayatoncethatthosewhoknowmostofIndia，fromtheinside，areinclinedtowonderatthenoiseourscarcelybegunexperimentmakesinEngland。"
"ButsurelythegatheringtogetherofCongressdelegatesisofitselfanewthing。"
"There’snothingnewunderthesunWhenEuropewasajunglehalfAsiaflockedtothecanonicalconferencesofBuddhism;andforcenturiesthepeoplehavegatheredatPun，Hurdwar，Trimbak，andBenaresinimmensenumbers。Agreatmeeting，whatyoucallamassmeeting，isreallyoneoftheoldestandmostpopularofIndianinstitutionsInthecaseoftheCongressmeetings，theonlynotablefactisthatthepriestsofthealtarareBritish，notBuddhist，JamorBrahmanical，andthatthewholethingisaBritishcontrivancekeptalivebytheeffortsofMessrs。Hume，Eardley，Norton，andDigby。"
"Youmeantosay，then，itsnotaspontaneousmovement？"
"Whatmovementwaseverspontaneousinanytruesenseoftheword？Thisseemstobemorefactitiousthanusual。Youseemtoknowagreatdealaboutit;tryitbythetouchstoneofsubscriptions，acoarsebutfairlytrustworthycriterion，andthereisscarcelythecolorofmoneyinit。ThedelegateswritefromEnglandthattheyareoutofpocketforworkingexpenses，railwayfares，andstationery——themerepasteboardandscaffoldingoftheirshow。Itis，infact，collapsingfrommerefinancialinanition。"
"ButyoucannotdenythatthepeopleofIndia，whoare，perhaps，toopoortosubscribe，arementallyandmorallymovedbytheagitation，"Pagettinsisted。
"ThatispreciselywhatIdodeny。Thenativesideofthemovementistheworkofalimitedclass，amicroscopicminority，asLordDufferindescribedit，whencomparedwiththepeopleproper，butstillaveryinterestingclass，seeingthatitisofourowncreation。ItiscomposedalmostentirelyofthoseoftheliteraryorclerklycasteswhohavereceivedanEnglisheducation。"
"Surelythatsaveryimportantclass。Itsmembersmustbetheordainedleadersofpopularthought。"
"Anywhereelsetheymightheleaders，buttheyhavenosocialweightinthistopsy-turvyland，andthoughtheyhavebeenemployedinclericalworkforgenerationstheyhavenoprac。ticalknowledgeofaffairs。Aship’sclerkisausefulperson，butheitscarcelythecaptain;andanorderly-roomwriter，howeversmarthemaybe，isnotthecolonel。Yousee，thewriterclassinIndiahasnevertillnowaspiredtoanythinglikecommand。Itwasntallowedto。TheIndiangentleman，forthousandsofyearspast，hasresembledVictorHugo’snoble：
’UnvraisireChatelainLaisseecrireLevilain。
SamaindigneQuandilsigneEgratigneLevelin。
Andthelittleegralignureshemostlikestomakehavebeenscoredprettydeeplybythesword。"
"Butthisischildishandmedhevalnonsense！"
"Precisely;andfromyour，orratherour，pointofviewthepenismightierthanthesword。Inthiscountryit’sotherwise。ThefaultliesinourIndianbalances，notyetadjustedtocivilizedweightsandmeasures。"
"Well，atallevents，thisliteraryclassrepresentthenaturalaspirationsandwishesofthepeopleatlarge，thoughitmaynotexactlyleadthem，and，inspiteofallyousay，Orde，IdefyyoutofindareallysoundEnglishRadicalwhowouldnotsympathizewiththoseaspirations。"
Pagettspokewithsomewarmth，andhehadscarcelyceasedwhenawellappointeddog-cartturnedintothecompoundgates，andOrderosesaying：
"HereisEdwards，theMasteroftheLodgeIneglectsodiligently，cometotalkaboutaccounts，Isuppose。"
AsthevehicledroveupundertheporchPagettalsorose，sayingwiththetrainedeffusionbornofmuchpractice：
"Butthisisalsomyfriend，myoldandvaluedfriendEdwards。I’mdelightedtoseeyou。IknewyouwereinIndia，butnotexactlywhere。"
"Thenitisn’taccounts，Mr。Edwards，"saidOrde，cheerily。
"Why，no，sir;IheardMr。Pagettwascoming，andasourworkswereclosedfortheNewYearIthoughtIwoulddriveoverandseehim。"
"Averyhappythought。Mr。Edwards，youmaynotknow，Orde，wasaleadingmemberofourRadicalClubatSwitebtonwhenI
wasbeginningpoliticallife，andIowemuchtohisexertions。
There’snopleasurelikemeetinganoldfriend，except，perhaps，makinganewone。Isuppose，Mr。Edwards，yousticktothegoodoldcause？"
"Well，yousee，sir，thingsaredifferentouthere。There’spreciouslittleonecanfindtosayagainsttheGovernment，whichwasthemainofourtalkathome，andthemthatdosaythingsarenotthesorto’peopleamanwhorespectshimselfwouldliketobemixedupwith。Therearenopolitics，inamannerofspeaking，inIndia。
It’sallwork。"
"Surelyyouaremistaken，mygoodfriend。WhyIhavecomeallthewayfromEnglandjusttoseetheworkingofthisgreatNationalmovement。"
"Idon’tknowwhereyou’regoingtofindthenationasmovestobeginwith，andthenyou’llbehardputtoittofindwhattheyaremovingabout。It’slikethis，sir，"saidEdwards，whohadnotquiterelishedbeingcalled"mygoodfriend。""Theyhaven’tgotanygrievance——nothingtohitwith，don’tyousee，sir;andthenthere’snotmuchtohitagainst，becausetheGovernmentismorelikeakindofgeneralProvidence，directinganold——establishedstateofthings，thanthatathome，wherethere’ssomethingnewthrowndownforustofightabouteverythreemonths。"
"Youareprobably，inyourworkshops，fullofEng’ishmechanics，outofthewayoflearningwhatthemassesthink。"
"Idon’tknowsomuchaboutthat。TherearefourofusEnglishforemen，andbetweensevenandeighthundrednativefitters，smiths，carpenters，painters，andsuchlike。"
"AndtheyarefulloftheCongress，ofcourse？"
"Neverhearawordofitfromyear’sendtoyear’send，andIspeakthetalktoo。ButIwantedtoaskhowthingsaregoingonathome——oldTylerandBrownandtherest？"
"Wewillspeakofthempresently，butyouraccountoftheindifferenceofyourmensurprisesmealmostasmuchasyourown。Ifearyouareabacksliderfromthegoodolddoctrine，Edwards。"Pagettspokeasonewhomournedthedeathofanearrelative。
"Notabit，Sir，butIshouldbeifItookupwithaparcelofbaboos，pleaders，andschoolboys，asneverdidaday’sworkintheirlives，andcouldn’tiftheytried。AndifyouwastopollusEnglishrailwaymen，mechanics，tradespeople，andthelikeofthatallupanddownthecountryfromPeshawurtoCalcutta，youwouldfindusmostlyinataletogether。Andyetyouknowwe’rethesameEnglishyoupaysomerespecttoathomeat’lectiontime，andwehavethepullo’knowingsomethingaboutit。"
"Thisisverycurious，butyouwillletmecomeandseeyou，andperhapsyouwillkindlyshowmetherailwayworks，andwewilltalkthingsoveratleisure。Andaboutalloldfriendsandoldtimes，"addedPagett，detectingwithquickinsightalookofdisappointmentinthemechanic’sface。
NoddingbrieflytoOrde，Edwardsmountedhisdog-cartanddroveoff。
"It’sverydisappointing，"saidtheMembertoOrde，who，whilehisfrienddiscoursedwithEdwards，hadbeenlookingoverabundleofsketchesdrawnongreypaperinpurpleink，broughttohimbyaChuprassee。
"Don’tletittroubleyou，oldchap，"’saidOrde，sympathetically。
"Lookhereamoment，herearesomesketchesbythemanwhomadethecarvedwoodscreenyouadmiredsomuchinthedining-room，andwantedacopyof，andtheartisthimselfisheretoo。"
"Anative？"saidPagett。
"Ofcourse，"wasthereply，"BishenSiaghishisname，andhehastwobrotherstohelphim。Whenthereisanimportantjobtodo，thethreego’atopartnership，buttheyspendmostoftheirtimeandalltheirmoneyinlitigationoveraninheritance，andI’mafraidtheyaregettinginvolved，ThoroughbredSikhsoftheoldrock，obstinate，touchy，bigoted，andcunning，butgoodmenforallthat。
HereisBishenSingn-shallweaskhimabouttheCongress？"
ButBishenSingh，whoapproachedwitharespectfulsalaam，hadneverheardofit，andhelistenedwithapuzzledfaceandobviouslyfeignedinteresttoOrde’saccountofitsaimsandobjects，finallyshakinghisvastwhiteturbanwithgreatsignificancewhenhelearnedthatitwaspromotedbycertampleadersnamedbyOrde，andbyeducatednatives。Hebeganwithlaboredrespecttoexplainhowhewasapoormanwithnoconcerninsuchmatters，whichwereallunderthecontrolofGod，butpresentlybrokeoutofUrduintofamiliarPunjabi，themeresoundofwhichhadarusticsmackofvillagesmoke-reekandplough-tail，ashedenouncedthewearersofwhitecoats，thejugglerswithwordswhofilchedhisfieldfromhim，themenwhosebackswereneverbowedinhonestwork;andpouredironicalscornontheBengali。HeandoneofhisbrothershadseenCalcutta，andbeingatworktherehadBengalicarpentersgiventothemasassistants。
"Thosecarpenters！"saidBishenSingh。"Blackapesweremoreefficientworkmates，andasfortheBengalibabu-tchick！"Thegutturalclickneedednointerpretation，butOrdetranslatedtherest，whilePagettgazedwithin……terestatthewood-carver。
"HeseemstohaveamostilliberalprejudiceagainsttheBengali，"
saidtheM。P。
"Yes，it’sverysadthatforagesoutsideBengalthereshouldhesobitteraprejudice。Prideofrace，whichalsomeansrace-hatred，istheplagueandcurseofIndiaanditspreadsfar，"pointedwithhisriding-whiptothelargemapofIndiaontheverandawall。
"See！IbeginwiththeNorth，"saidhe。"There’stheAfghan，and，asahighlander，hedespisesallthedwellersinHindoostan-withtheexceptionoftheSikh，whomhehatesascordiallyastheSikhhateshim。TheHinduloathesSikhandAfghan，andtheRajput——that’salittlelowerdownacrossthisyellowblotofdesert——hasastrongobjection，toputitmildly，totheMarathawho，bytheway，poisonouslyhatestheAfghan。Let’sgoNorthaminute。TheSindhihateseverybodyI’vementioned。Verygood，we’lltakelesswarlikeraces。ThecultivatorofNorthernIndiadomineersoverthemaninthenextprovince，andtheBeharioftheNorthwestridiculestheBengali。Theyareallatoneonthatpoint。I’mgivingyoumerelytheroughestpossibleoutlinesofthefacts，ofcourse。"
BishenSingh，hiscleancutnostrilsstillquivering，watchedthelargesweepofthewhipasittraveledfromthefrontier，throughSindh，thePunjabandRajputana，tillitrestedbythevalleyoftheJumna"Hate——eternalandinextinguishablehate，"concludedOrde，flickingthelashofthewhipacrossthelargemapfromEasttoWestashesatdown。"RememberCanning’sadvicetoLordGranville，’NeverwriteorspeakofIndianthingswithoutlookingatamap。’"
Pagettopenedhiseyes，Orderesumed。"Andtherace-hatredisonlyapartofit。What’sreallythematterwithBisbenSinghisclass-hatred，which，unfortunately，isevenmoreintenseandmorewidelyspread。That’soneofthelittledrawbacksofcaste，whichsomeofyourrecentEnglishwritersfindanimpeccablesystem。"
Thewood-carverwasgladtoberecalledtothebusinessofhiscraft，andhiseyesshoneashereceivedinstructionsforacarvedwoodendoorwayforPagett，whichhepromisedshouldbesplendidlyexecutedanddespatchedtoEnglandinsixmonths。Itisanirrelevantdetail，butinspiteofOrde’sreminders，fourteenmonthselapsedbeforetheworkwasfinished。Businessover，BishenSinghhungabout，reluctanttotakehisleave，andatlastjoininghishandsandapproachingOrdewithbatedbreathandwhisperinghum。bleness，saidhehadapetitiontomake。Orde’sfacesuddenlylostalltraceofexpression。"Speakon，BishenSingh，"saidhe，andthecarverinawhiningtoneexplainedthathiscaseagainsthisbrotherswasfixedforhearingb&foreanativejudgeand-herehedroppedhisvoicestilllowertidhewassummarilystoppedbyOrde，whosternlypointedtothegatewithanemphaticBegone！
BishenSingh，showingbutlittlesignofdiscomposure，salaamedrespectfullytothefriendsanddeparted。
Pagettlookedinquiry;Ordewithcompleterecoveryofhisusualurbanity，replied："It’snothing，onlytheoldstory，hewantshiscasetobetriedbyanEnglishjudge-theyalldothat-butwhenhebegantohintthattheothersidewereinimproperrelationswiththenativejudgeIhadtoshuthimup。GungaRam，themanhewantedtomakeinsinuationsabout，maynotbeverybright;buthe’sashonestasday-lightonthebench。Butthat’sjustwhatonecan’tgetanativetobelieve。"
"DoyoureallymeantosaythesepeopleprefertohavetheircasestriedbyEnglishjudges？"
’Why，certainly。"
Pagettdrewalongbreath。"Ididn’tknowthatbefore。"Atthispointaphaetonenteredthecompound，andOrderosewith"Confoundit，there’soldRasulAhKhancometopayoneofhistiresomedutycalls。I’mafraidweshallnevergetthroughourlittleCongressdiscussion。"
PagettwasanaimostsilentspectatorofthegraveformalitiesofavisitpaidbyapunctiliousoldMahommedangentlemantoanIndianofficial;andwasmuchimpressedbythedistinctionofmannerandfineappearanceoftheMohammedanlandholder。
Whentheexhangeofpolitebanalitiescametoapause，heexpressedawishtolearnthecourtlyvisitor’sopinionoftheNationalCongress。
Ordereluctantlyinterpreted，andwithasmilewhichevenMohammedanpolitenesscouldnotsavefrombitterscorn，RasulAhKhanintimatedthatheknewnothingaboutitandcaredstillless。ItwasakindoftalkencouragedbytheGovernmentforsomemysteriouspurposeofitsown，andforhisownparthewonderedandheldhispeace。
Pagettwasfarfromsatisfiedwiththis，andwishedtohavetheoldgentleman’sopinionontheproprietyofmanagingallIndianaffairsonthebasisofanelectivesystem。
Ordedidhisbesttoexplain，butitwasplainthevisitorwasboredandbewildered。Frankly，hedidn’tthinkmuchofcommittees;theyhadaMunicipalCommitteeatLahoreandhadelectedamenialservant，anorderly，asamember。Hehadbeeninformedofthisongoodauthority，andafterthat，committeeshadceasedtointeresthim。ButallwasaccordingtotheruleofGovernment，and，pleaseGod，itwasallforthebest。
"Whatanoldfossilitis！"criedPagett，asOrdereturnedfromseeinghisguesttothedoor;"justlikesomeoldblue-bloodedhidalgoofSpain。WhatdoeshereallythinkoftheCongressafterall，andoftheelectivesystem？"
"Hatesitalllikepoison。Whenyouaresureofamajority，electionisafinesystem;butyoucanscarcelyexpecttheMahommedans，themastmasterfulandpowerfulminorityinthecountry，tocontemplatetheirownextinctionwithjoy。Theworstofitisthatheandhisco-religionists，whoaremany，andthelandedproprietors，also，ofHindurace，arefrightenedandputoutbythiselectiopbusinessandbytheimportancewehavebestowedonlawyers，pleaders，writers，andthelike，whohave，uptonow，beeninabjectsubmissiontothem。Theysaylittle，hutafteralltheyarethemostimportantfagotsinthegreatbundleofcommunities，andalltheglibbunkumintheworldwouldnotpayfortheirestrangement。Theyhavecontrolledtheland。"
"ButIamassuredthatexperienceoflocalself-governmentinyourmunicipalitieshasbeenmostsatisfactory，andwhenoncetheprincipleisacceptedinyourcentres，don’tyouknow，itisboundtospread，andtheseimportant——ah’mpeopleofyourswouldlearnitliketherest。Iseenodifficultyatall，"andthesmoothlipsclosedwiththecomplacentsnaphabitualtoPagett，M。P。，the"manofcheerfulyesterdaysandconfidentto-morrows。"
Ordelookedathimwithadrearysmile。
"Theprivilegeofelectionhasbeenmostreluctantlywithdrawnfromscoresofmunicipalities，othershavehadtobesummarilysuppressed，and，outsidethePresidencytowns，theactualworkdonehasbeenbadlyperformed。Thisisoflessmoment，perhaps-itonlysendsupthelocaldeath-rates-thanthefactthatthepublicinterestinmunicipalelections，neververystrong，haswaned，andiswaning，inspiteofcarefulnursingonthepartofGovernmentservants。"
"Canyouexplainthislackofinterest？"saidPagett，puttingasidetherestofOrde’sremarks。
"Youmayfindawardofthekeyinthefactthatonlyoneineverythousandafourpopulationcanspell。Thentheyareinfinitelymoreinterestedinreligionandcastequestionsthaninanysortofpolitics。Whenthebusinessofmereexistenceisover，theirmindsareoccupiedbyaseriesofinterests，pleasures，rituals，superstitions，andthelike，basedoncenturiesoftraditionandusage。You，perhaps，findithardtoconceiveofpeopleabsolutelydevoidofcuriosity，towhomthebook，thedailypaper，andtheprintedspeechareunknown，andyouwoulddescribetheirlifeasblank。That’saprofoundmistake。Youareinanotherland，anothercentury，downonthebed-rockofsociety，wherethefamilymerely，andnotthecommunity，isall-important。TheaverageOrientalcannotbebroughttolookbeyondhisclan。Hislife，too，isnaorecompleteandself-sufficing，andlesssordidandlow-thoughtedthanyoumightimagine。Itisbovineandslowinsomerespects，butitisneverempty。YouandI
areinclinedtoputthecartbeforethehorse，andtoforgetthatitisthemanthatiselemental，notthebook。
’Thecornandthecattleareallmycare，AndtherestisthewillofGod。’
Whyshouldsuchfolklookupfromtheirimmemoriallyappointedroundofdutyandintereststomeddlewiththeunknownandfusswithvoting-papers。Howwouldyou，atopofallyourinterestscaretoconductevenone-tenthofyourlifeaccordingtothemannersandcustomsofthePapuans，let’ssay？That’swhatitcomesto。"
"Butiftheywon’ttakethetroubletovote，whydoyouanticipatethatMohammedans，proprietors，andtherestwouldbecrushedbymajoritiesofthem？"
AgainPagettdisregardedtheclosingsentence。
"Because，thoughthelandholderswouldnotmoveafingeronanypurelypoliticalquestion，theycouldberaisedindangerousexcitementbyreligioushatreds。Alreadythefirstnoteofthishasbeensoundedbythepeoplewhoaretryingtogetupanagitationonthecow-killingquestion，andeveryyearthereistroubleovertheMohammedanMuharrumprocessions。
"Butwholooksafterthepopularrights，beingthusunrepresented？"
"TheGovernmentofHcrMajestytheQueen，EmpressofIndia，inwhich，iftheCongresspromotersaretobebelieved，thepeoplehaveanimplicittrust;fortheCongresscircular，speciallypreparedforrusticcomprehension，saysthemovementis’fortheremissionoftax，theadvancementofHindnstan，andthestrengtheningoftheBritishGovemment。’Thispaperisheadedinlargeletters-
’MAVTHEPROSPEEITYOFTHEEMPIREOFINDIA
ENDURE。"’
"Really！"saidPagett，"thatshowssomecleverness。Buttherearethingsbetterworthimi’ationinourEnglishmethodsof-er-politicalstatementthanthissortofamiablefraud。"
"Anyhow，"resumedOrde，"youperceivethatnotawordissaidaboutelectionsandtheelectiveprinciple，andthereticenceoftheCongresspromotershereshowstheyarewiseintheirgeneration。"
"Buttheelectiveprinciplemusttriumphintheend，andthelittledifficultiesyouseemtoanticipatewouldgivewayontheintroductionofawell-balancedscheme，capableofindefiniteextension。"
"Butisitpossibletodeviseaschemewhich，alwaysassumingthatthepeopletookanyinterestinit，withoutenormousexpense，ruinousdislocationoftheadminist：ationanddangertothepublicpeace，cansatisfytheaspirationsofMr。Humeandhisfollowing，andyetsafeguardtheinterestsoftheMahommedans，thelandedandwealthyclasses，theConservativeHindus，theEurasians，Parsees，Sikhs，Rajputs，nativeChristians，domiciledEuropeansandothers，whoareeachimportantandpowerfulintheirway？"
Pagett’sattention，however，wasdivertedtothegate，whereagroupofcultivatorsstoodinapparenthesitation。
"HerearethetwelveApostles，hyJove-comestraightoutofRaffaele’scartoons，"saidtheM。P。，withthefreshappreciationofanewcomer。
Orde，lothtobeinterrupted，turnedimpatientlytowardthevillagers，andtheirleader，handinghislongstafftooneofhiscompanions，advancedtothehouse。
"ItisoldJelbo，theLumherdar，orhead-manofPindSharkot，andavery’intelligentmanforavillager。"
TheJatfarmerhadremovedhisshoesandstoodsmilingontheedgeoftheveranda。Hisstronglymarkedfeaturesglowedwithrussetbronze，andhisbrighteyesgleamedunderdeeplysetbrows，contractedbylifelongexposuretosunshine。HisbeardandmoustachestreakedwithgreysweptfromboldcliffsofbrowandcheekinthelargesweepsoneseesdrawnbyMichaelAngelo，andstrandsoflongblackhairmingledwiththeirregularlypiledwreathsandfoldsofhisturban。Thedraperyofstoutbluecottoncloththrownoverhisbroadshouldersandgirtroundhisnarrowloins，hungfromhistallforminbroadlysculpturedfolds，andhewouldhavemadeasuperbmodelforanartistinsearchofapatriarch。
Ordegreetedhimcordially，andafterapolitepausethecountrymanstartedoffwithalongstorytoldwithimpressiveearnestness。Ordelistenedandsmiled，interruptingthespeakerat’timestoargueandreasonwithhiminatonewhichPagettcouldhearwaskindly，andfinallycheckingthefluxofwordswasabouttodismisshim，whenPagettsuggestedthatheshouldbeaskedabouttheNationalCongress。
ButJellochadneverheardofit。Hewasapoormanandsuchthings，bythefavorofhisHonor，didnotconcernhim。
"What’sthematterwithyourbigfriendthathewassoterriblyinearnest？"askedPagett，whenhehadleft。
"Nothingmuch。Hewantsthebloodofthepeopleinthenextvillage，whohavehadsmallpoxandcattleplagueprettybadly，andbythehelpofawizard，acurrier，andseveralpigshavepasseditontohisownvillage。’Wantstoknowiftheycan’tberuninforthisawfulcrime。Itseemstheymadeadreadfulcharivariatthevillageboundary，threwaquantityofspell-bearingobjectsovertheborder，abuffalo’sskullandotherthings;thenbrandedachamur-whatyouwouldcallacurrier-onhishinderpartsanddrovehimandanumberofpigsoverintoJelIno’svillage。Jelbosayshecanbringevidencetoprovethatthewizarddirectingtheseproceedings，whoisaSansi，hasbeenguiltyoftheft，arson，rattle-killing，perjuryandmurder，butwouldprefertohavehimpunishedforbewitchingthemandinflictingsmall-pox。"
"Andhowonearthdidyouanswersuchalunatic？"
"LunaticItheoldfellowisassaneasyouorI;andhehassomegroundofcomplaintagainstthoseSansis。Iaskedifhewouldlikcanativesuperintendentofpolicewithsomementomakeinquiries，butheobjectedonthegroundsthepolicewereratherworsethansmallpoxandcriminaltribesputtogether。"
"Criminaltribes-er-Idon’tquiteunderstand，"saidPaget~
"WehaveinIndiamanytribesofpeoplewhointheslackanti-Britishdaysbecamerobbers，invariouskind。andpreye~onthepeople。Theyarebeingrestrainedandreclaimedlittlebylittle，andintimewillbecomeuseful;citizens，buttheystillcherishhereditarytraditionsofcrime，andareadifficultlottodealwith。
Bythewaywhat;aboutthepoliticalrightsofthesefolkunderyourschemes？Thecountrypeoplecallthemvermin，butIsup-posetheywouldbeelectorswiththerest。"
"Nonsense-specialprovisionwouldbemadefortheminawell-consideredelectoralscheme，andtheywoulddoubtlessbetreatedwithfittingseverity，"saidPagett，withamagisterialair。
"Severity，yes-butwhetheritwouldbefittingisdoubtful。Eventhosepoordevilshaverights，and，afterall，theyonlypracticewhattheyhavebeentaught。"
"Butcriminals，Ordel"
"Yes，criminalswithcodesandritualsofcrime，godsandgodlingsofcrime，andahundredsongsandsayingsinpraiseofit。
Puzzling，isn’tit？"
"It’ssimplydreadful。Theyoughttobeputdownatonce。Aretheremanyofthem？"
"Notmorethanaboutsixtythousandinthisprovince，formanyofthetrlbesbroadlydescribedascriminalarereallyvagabondandcrimlnalonlyonoccasion，whileothersarebeingsettledandreclaimed。Theyareofgreatantiquity，alegacyfromthepast，thegolden，gloriousAryanpastofMaxMuller，Birdwoodandtherestofyourspindriftphilosophers。"
AnorderlybroughtacardtoOrdewhotookitwithamovementofirritationattheinterruption，andbandedittoPagett;alargecardwitharuledborderinredink，andinthecentreinschoolboycopperplate，Mr。DmaNath。"Givesalaam，"saidthecivilian，andthereenteredinhasteaslenderyouth，cladinacloselyfittingcoatofgreyhomespun，tighttrousers，patent-leathershoes，andasmallblackvelvetcap。Histhincheektwitched，andhiseyeswanderedrestlessly，fortheyoungmanwasevidentlynervousanduncomfortable，thoughstrivingtoassumeafreeandeasyair。
"Yourhonormayperhapsrememberme，"hesaidinEnglisb，andOrdescannedhimkeenly。
"Iknowyourfacesomehow。YoubelongedtotheShershahdistrictIthink，whenIwasinchargethere？"
"Yes，Sir，myfatheriswriteratShershah，andyourhonorgavemeaprizewhenIwasfirstintheMiddleSchoolexaminationfiveyearsago。SincethenIhaveprosecutedmystudies，andIamnowsecondyear’sstudentintheMissionCollege。"
"Ofcourse：youareKedarNath’sson-theboywhosaidhelikedgeographybetterthanplayorsugarcakes，andIdidn’tbelieveyou。Howisyourfathergettingon？"
"Heiswell，andhesendshissalaam，buthiscircumstancesaredepressed，andbealsoisdownonhisluck。"
"YoulearnEnglishidiom"。attheMissionCollege，itseems。"
"Yes，sir，theyarethebestidioms，andmyfatherorderedmetoaskyourhonortosayawordforhimtothepresentincumbentofyourhonor’sshoes，thelatchetofwhichheisnotworthytoopen，andwhoknowsnotJoseph;forthingsaredifferentatShershahnow，andmyfatherwantspromotion。"
"Yourfatherisagoodman，andIwilldowhatIcanforhim。"
AtthispointatelegramwashandedtoOrde，who，afterglancingatit，saidhemustleavehisyoungfriendwhomheintroducedtoPagett，"amemberoftheEnglishHouseofCommonswhowishestolearnaboutIndia。"
OrdebadscarcelyretiredwithhistelegramwhenPagettbegan：
"PerhapsyoucantellmesomethingoftheNationalCongressmovement？"
"Sir，itisthegreatestmovementofmoderntimes，andoneinwhichalledvcatedmenlikeusmustjoin。AllourstudentsarefortheCongress。"
"Excepting，Isuppose，Mahommedans，andtheChristians？"saidPagett，quicktousehisrecentinstruction。
"Thesearesomemereexceptionstotheuniversalrule。"
"ButthepeopleoutsidetheCollege，theworkingclasses，theagriculturists;yourfatherandmother，forinstance。"
"Mymother，"saidtheyoungman，withavisibleefforttobringhimselftopronouncetheword，"hasnoideas，andmyfatherisnotagriculturist，norworkingclass;heisoftheKayethcaste;buthehadnottheadvantageofacollegiateeducation，andhedoesnotknowmuchoftheCongress。Itisamovementfortheeducatedyoung-man"-
connectingadjectiveandnouninasortofvocalhyphen。
"Ah，yes，"saidPagett，feelinghewasalittleofftherails，"andwhatarethebenefitsyouexpecttogainbyit？"
"Oh，sir，everything。EnglandowesitsgreatnesstoParliamentaryinstitutions，andweshouldatoncegainthesamehighpositioninscaleofnations。Sir，wewishtohavethesciences，thearts，themanufactures，theindustrialfactories，withsteamengines，andothermotivepowersandpublicmeetings，anddebates。Alreadywehaveadebatingclubinconnectionwiththecollege，andelectaMr。Speaker。Sir，theprogressmustcome。YoualsoareaMemberofParliamentandworshipthegreatLordRipon，"saidtheyouth，breathlessly，andhisblackeyesflashedashefinishedhiscommalesssentences。
"Well，"saidPagett，drily，"ithasnotvetoccurredtometoworshiphisLord-ship，althoughIbelieveheisaveryworthyman，andIamnotsurethatEnglandowesquiteallthethingsyounametotheHouseofCommons。Yousee，myyoungfriend，thegrowthofanationlikeoursisslow，subjecttomanyinfluences，andifyouhavereadyourhistoryaright"-"Sir。Iknowitall-all！NormanConquest，MagnaCharta，Runnymede，Reformation，Tudors，Stuarts，Mr。MiltonandMr。Burke，andIhavereadsomethingofMr。HerbertSpencerandGibbon’s’DeclineandFall，’Reynolds’
MysteriesoftheCourt，’andPagettfeltlikeonewhohadpulledthestringofashower-bathunawares，andhastenedtostopthetorrentwithaqtlestionastowhatparticulargrievancesofthepeopleofIndiatheattentionofanelectedassemblyshouldbefirstdirected。ButyoungMr。DmaNathwasslowtoparticularize。
Thereweremany，verymanydemandingconsideration。Mr。
Pagettwouldliketohearofoneortwotypicalexamples。
TheRepealoftheArmsActwasatlastnamed，andthestudentlearnedforthefirsttimethatalicensewasnecessarybeforeanEnglishmancouldcarryaguninEngland。ThennativesofIndiaoughttobeallowedtobecomeVolunteerRiflemeniftheychose，andtheabsoluteequalityoftheOrientalwithhisEuropeanfellow-subjectincivilstatusshouldbeproclaimedonprinciple，andtheIndianArmyshouldbeconsiderablyreduced。Thestudentwasnot，however，preparedwithanswerstoMr。Pagett’smildestquestionsonthesepoints，andhereturnedtovaguegeneralities，leavingtheM。P。somuchimpressedwiththecrudityofhisviewsthathewasgladonOrde’sreturntosaygood-byetohis"veryinteresting"youngfriend。
"WhatdoyouthinkofyoungIndia？"askedOrde。
"Curious，verycurious-andcallow。"
"Andyet，"thecivilianreplied，"onecanscarcelyhelpsympathizingwithhimforhismereyouth’ssake。TheyoungoratorsoftheOxfordUnionarrivedatthesameconclusionsandshoweddoubtlessjustthesameenthusiasm。IftherewereanypoliticalanalogybetweenIndiaandEngland，ifthethousandracesofthisEmpirewereone，iftherewereanychanceevenoftheirlearningtospeakonelanguage，if，inshort，IndiawereaUtopiaofthedebating-room，andnotarealland，thiskindoftalkmightbeworthlisteningto，butitisallbasedonfalseanalogyandignoranceofthefacts。"
"Butheisanativeandknowsthefacts。"
"HeisasortofEnglishschoolboy，butmarriedthreeyears，andthefatheroftwoweaklings，andknowslessthanmostEnglishschoolboys。Yousawallheisandknows，andsuchideasashehasacquiredaredirectlyhostiletothemostcherishedconvictionsofthevastmajorityofthepeople。"
"Butwhatdoeshemeanbysayingheisastudentofamissioncollege？IsheaChristian？"
"Hemeantjustwhathesaid，andheisnotaChristian，noreverwillhebe。GoodpeopleinAmerica，ScotlandandEngland，mostofwhomwouldneverdreamofcollegiateeducationfortheirownsons，arepinchingthemselvestobestowitinpurewasteonIndianyouths。Theirschemeisanoblique，subterraneanattackonheathenism;thetheorybeingthatwiththejamofseculareducation，leadingtoaUniversitydegree，thepillofmoralorreligiousinstructionmayhecoaxeddowntheheathengullet。"
"Butdoesitsucceed;dotheymakeconverts？"
"Theymakenoconverts，forthesubtleOrientalswallowsthejamandrejectsthepill;butthemereexampleofthesober，righteous，andgodlylivesoftheprincipalsandprofessorswhoaremostexcellentanddevotedmen，musthaveacertainmoralvalue。Yet，asLordLansdownepointedouttheotherday，themarketisdangerouslyoverstockedwithgraduatesofourUniversitieswholookforemploymentintheadministration。Animmensenumberareemployed，butyearbyyearthecollegemillsgrindoutincreasinglistsofyouthsforedoomedtofailureanddisappointment，andmeanwhile，trade。manufactures。andtheindustrialartsareneglected，andinfactregardedwithcontemptbyournewliterarymandarinsinposse。"
"Butouryoungfriendsaidhewantedsteam-enginesandfactories，"saidPagett。
"Yes，hewouldliketodirectsuchconcerns。Hewantstobeginatthetop，formanuallaborisheldtobediscreditable，andhewouldneverdefilehishandsbytheapprenticeshipwhichthearchitects，engineers，andmanufacturersofEnglandcheerfullyundergo;andhewouldbeaghasttolearnthattheleadingnamesofindustrialenterpriseinEnglandbelongedagenerationortwosince，ornowbelong，tomenwhowroughtwiththeirownhands。And，thoughhetalksgliblyofmanufacturers，herefusestoseethattheIndianmanufacturerofthefuturewillbethedespisedworkmanofthepresent。Itwasproposed，forexample，afewweeksago，thatacertainmunicipalityinthisprovinceshouldestablishanelementarytechnicalschoolforthesonsofworkmen。ThestressoftheoppositiontotheplancamefromapleaderwhoowedallhehadtoacollegeeducationbestowedonhimgratisbyGovernmentandmissions。YouwouldhavefanciedsomefineoldcrustedTorysquireofthelastgenerationwasspeaking。’Thesepeople，’hesaid，’wantnoeducation，fortheylearntheirtradesfromtheirfathers，andtoteachaworkman’ssontheelementsofmathematicsandphysicalsciencewouldgivehimideasabovehisbusiness。Theymustbekeptintheirplace，anditwasidletoimaginethattherewasanyscienceinwoodorironwork。’Andhecarriedhispoint。
ButtheIndianworkmanwillriseinthesocialscaleinspiteofthenewliterarycaste。"
"InEnglandwehavescarcelybeguntorealizethatthereisanindustrialclassinthiscountry，yet，Isuppose，theexampleofmen，likeEdwardsforinstance，musttell，"saidPagett，thoughtfully。
"Thatyoushouldn’tknowmuchaboutitisnaturalenough，fortherearebutfewsourcesofinformation。Indiainthis，asinotherrespects，islikeabadlykeptledger-notwrittenuptodate。AndmenlikeEdwardsare，inreality，missionaries，whobypreceptandexampleareteachingmorelessonsthantheyknow。Onlyafew，however，oftheircrowdsofsubordinatesseemtocaretotrytoemulatethem，andaimatindividualadvancement;therestdropintotheancientIndiancastegr（’ove。"
"Howdoyoumean？"askedhe，"Well，itisfoundthatthenewrailwayandfactoryworkmen，thefitter，thesmith，theengine-driver，andtherestarealreadyformingseparatehereditarycastes。YoumaynoticethisdownatJamalpurinBengal，oneoftheoldestrailwaycentres;andatotherplaces，andinotherindustries，theyarefollowingthesameinexorableIndianlaw。"
"Whichmeans？"queriedPagett。
"Itmeansthattherootedhabitofthepeopleistogatherinsmallself-contained，self-sufficingfamilygroupswithnothoughtorcareforanyinterestsbuttheirown-ahabitwhichisscarcelycompatiblewiththerightacceptationoftheelectiveprinciple。"
"Yetyoumustadmit，Orde，thatthoughouryoungfriendwasnotabletoexpoundtbefaiththatisinhim，yourIndianarmyistoobig。"
"Notnearlybigenoughforitsmainpurpose。And，asasideissue，therearecertainpowerfulminoritiesoffightingfolkwhoseinterestsanAsiaticGovernmentisboundtoconsider。ArmsisasmuchameansoflivelihoodascivilemployunderGovernmentandlaw。AnditwouldbeaheavystrainonBritishbayonetstoholddownSikhs，Jats，Bilochis，Rohillas，Rajputs，Bhils，Dogras，Pahtans，andGurkbastoabidebythedecisionsofanumericalmajorityopposedtotheirinterests。Leavethe’numericalmajority’
toitselfwithouttheBritishbayonets-aflockofsheepmightasreasonablyhopetomanageatroopofcollies。"
"ThiscomplaintaboutexcessivegrowthofthearmyisakintoanothercontentionoftheCongressparty。TheyprotestagainstthemalversationofthewholeofthemoneysraisedbyadditionaltaxesasaFamineInsuranceFundtootherpurposes。YoumustbeawarethatthisspecialFamineFundhasallbeenspentonfrontierroadsanddefencesandstrategicrailwayschemesasaprotectionagainstRussia。"
"Buttherewasneveraspecialfaminefundraisedbyspecialtaxationandputbyasinabox。Nosaneadministratorwoulddreamofsuchathing。Inatimeofprosperityafinanceminister，rejoicinginamargin，proposedtoannuallyapplyamillionandahalftotheconstructionofrailwaysandcanalsfortheprotectionofdistrictsliabletoscarcity，andtothereductionoftheannualloansforpublicworks。Buttimeswerenotalwaysprosperous，andthefinanceministerhadtochoosewhetherbewouldbanguptheinsuranceschemeforayearorimposefreshtaxation。Whenafarmerhasn’tgotthelittlesurplushehopedtohaveforbuyinganewwagonanddrainingalow-lyingfieldcorner，youdon’taccusehimofmalversation，ifhespendswhathehasonthenecessaryworkoftherestofhisfarm。"
Aclatterofhoofswasheard，andOrdelookedupwithvexation，buthisbrowclearedasahorsemanhaltedundertheporch。
"HelIn，Orde！justlookedintoaskifyouarecomingtopoloonTuesday：wewantyoubadlytohelptocrumpleuptheKrabBokbarteam。"
OrdeexplainedthathehadtogooutintotheDistrict，andwhilethevisitorcomplainedthatthoughgoodmenwouldn’tplay，dufferswerealwayskeen，andthathissidewouldprobalnybebeaten，Pagettrosetolookathismount，ared，latheredBilochmare，withacuriouslyre-likeincurvingoftheears。"Quitealittlethoroughbredinallotherrespects，"saidtheM。P。，andOrdepresentedMr。ReginaldBurke，ManageroftheSiadandSialkoteBanktohisfriend。
"Yes，she’sasgoodastheymake’em，andshe’sallthefemaleI
possessandspoiledinconsequence，aren’tyou，oldgirl？"saidBurke，pattingthemare’sglossyneckasshebackedandplunged。
"Mr。Pagett，"saidOrde，"hasbeenaskingmeabouttheCongress。
Whatisyouropinion？"BurketurnedtotheM。P。withafranksmile。
"Well，ifit’sallthesametoyou，sir，Ishouldsay，DamntheCongress，butthenI’mnopolitician，butonlyabusinessman。"
"Youfinditatiresomesubject？"
"Yes，it’sallthat，andworsethanthat，forthiskindofagitationisanythingbutwholesomeforthecountry。"
"Howdoyoumean？"
"Itwouldbealongjobtoexplain，andSaraherewon’tstand，butyouknowhowsensitivecapitalis，andhowtimidinvestorsare。
Allthissortofrotislikelytofrightenthem，andwecan’taffordtofrightenthem。ThepassengersaboardanOceansteamerdon’tfeelreassuredwhentheship’swayisstopped，andtheyheartheworkmen’shammerstinkeringattheenginesdownbelow。TheoldArk’sgoingonallrightassheis，andonlywantsquietandroomtomove。Them’smysentiments，andthoseofsomeotherpeoplewhohavetodowithmoneyandbusiness。"
"Thenyouareathick-and-thinsupporteroftheGovernmentasitis。"
"Why，no！TheIndianGovernmentismuchtootimidwithitsmoney-likeanoldmaidenauntofmine-alwaysinafunkaboutherinvestments。Theydon’tspendhalfenoughonrailwaysforinstance，andtheyareslowinageneralway，andoughttobemadetositupinallthatconcernstheencouragementofprivateenterprise，andcoaxingoutintousethemillionsofcapitalthatliedormantinthecountry。"
Themarewasdancingwithimpatience，andBurkewasevidentlyanxioustobeoff，sothemenwishedhimgood-bye。
"WhoisyourgenialfriendwhocondemnsbothCongressandGovernmentinabreath？"askedPagett，withanamusedsmile。
"JustnowheisReggieBurke，keeneronpolothanonanythingelse，butifyougototheSindandSialkoteBankto-morrowyouwouldfindMr。ReginaldBurkeaverycapablemanofbusiness，knownandlikedbyanimmenseconstituencyNorthandSouthofthis。"
"DoyouthinkheisrightabouttheGovernment’swantofenterpnse？"
"Ishouldhesitatetosay。BetterconsultthemerchantsandchambersofcommerceinCawnpore，Madras，Bombay，andCalcutta。Butthoughthesebodieswouldlike，asReggieputsit，tomakeGovernmentsitup，itisanelementaryconsiderationingoverningacountrylikeIndia，whichmustbeadministeredforthebenefitofthepeopleatlarge，thatthecounselsofthosewhoresorttoitforthesakeofmakingmoneyshouldbejudiciouslyweighedandnotallowedtooverpowertherest。Theyarewelcomeguestshere，asamatterofcourse，butithasbeenfoundbesttorestraintheirinfluence。Thustherightsofplantationlaborers，factoryoperatives，andthelike，havebeenprotected，andthecapitalist，eagertogeton，hasnotalwaysregardedGovernmentactionwithfavor。Itisquiteconceivablethatunderanelectivesystemthecommercialcommunitiesofthegreattownsmightfindmeanstosecuremajoritiesonlaborquestionsandonfinancialmatters。"
"Theywouldactatleastwithintelligenceandconsideration。"
"Intelligence，yes;butastoconsideration，whoatthepresentmomentmostbitterlyresentsthetendersolicitudeofLancashireforthewelfareandprotectionoftheIndianfactoryoperative？
Englishandnativecapitalistsrunningcottonmillsandfactories。"
"ButisthesolicitudeofLancashireinthismatterentirelydisinterested？"
"Itisnobusinessofminetosay。ImerelyindicateanexampleofhowapowerfulcommercialinterestmighthamperaGovernmentintentinthefirstplaceonthelargerinterestsofhumanity。"
Ordebrokeofftolistenamoment。"There’sDr。Lathroptalkingtomywifeinthedrawing-room，"saidhe。
"Surelynot;that’salady’svoice，andifmyearsdon’tdeceiveme，anAmerican。"
"Exactly，Dr。EvaMcCreeryLathrop，chiefofthenewWomen’sHospitalhere，andaverygoodfellowforbye。Good-morning，Doctor，"hesaid，asagracefulfigurecameoutontheveranda，"youseemtobeintrouble。IhopeMrs。Ordewasabletohelpyou。"
"Yourwifeisrealkindandgood，]alwayscometoherwhenI’minafixbutIfearit’smorethancomfortingIwant。"
"Youworktoohardandwearyourselfout，"saidOrde，kindly。
"Letmeintroducemyfriend，Mr。Pagett，justfreshfromhome，andanxioustolearnhisIndia。Youcouldtellhimsomethingofthatmoreimportanthalfofwhichameremanknowssolittle。"
"PerhapsIcouldifI’danyhearttodoit，butI’mintrouble，I’velostacase，acasethatwasdoingwell，throughnothingintheworldbutinattentiononthepartofanurseIhadbeguntotrust。AndwhenIspokeonlyasmallpieceofmymindshecollapsedinawhiningheaponthefloor。Itishopeless。"
Themenweresilent，fortheblueeyesoftheladydoctorweredim。
Recoveringherselfshelookedupwithasmile，halfsad，halfhumorous，"AndIaminawhiningheap，too;butwhatphaseofIndianlifeareyouparticularlyinterestedin，sir？"
"Mr。Pagettintendstostudythepoliticalaspectofthingsandthepossibilityofbestowingelectoralinstitutionsonthepeople。"
"Wouldn’titbeasmuchtothepurposetobestowpoint-lacecollarsonthem？Theyneedmanythingsmoreurgentlythanvotes。Whyit’slikegivingabread-pillforabrokenleg。"
"Er-Idon’tquitefollow，"saidPagett，uneasily。
"Well，what’sthematterwiththiscountryisnotintheleastpolitical，butanallroundentanglementofphysical，social，andmoralevilsandcorruptions，allmoreorlessduetotheunnaturaltreatmentofwomen。Youcan’tgatherfigsfromthistles，andsolongasthesystemofinfantmarriage，theprohibitionoftheremarriageofwidows，thelifelongimprisonmentofwivesandmothersinaworsethanpenalconfinement，andthewithholdingfromthemofanykindofeducationortreatmentasrationalbeingscontinues，thecountrycan’tadvanceastep。Halfofitismorallydead，andworsethandead，andthat’sjustthehalffromwhichwehavearighttolookforthebestimpulses。It’srightherewherethetroubleis，andnotinanypoliticalconsiderationswhatsoever。"
"Butdotheymarrysoearly？"saidPagett，vaguely。
"Theaverageageisseven，butthousandsaremarriedstillearlier。
Oneresultisthatgirlsoftwelveandthirteenhavetobeartheburdenofwifehoodandmotherhood，and，asmightbeexpected，therateofmortalitybothformothersandchildrenisterrible。
Pauperism，domesticunhappiness，andalowstateofhealthareonlyafewoftheconsequencesofthis。Then，when，asfrequentlyhappens，theboy-husbanddiesprematurely，hiswidowiscondemnedtoworsethandeath。Shemaynotre-marry，mustliveasecludedanddespisedlife，alifesounnaturalthatshesometimespreferssuicide;moreoftenshegoesastray。Youdon’tknowinEnglandwhatsuchwordsas’infant-marriage，baby-wife，girl-mother，andvirgin-widow’mean;buttheymeanunspeakablehorrorshere。"
"Well，buttheadvancedpoliticalpartyherewillsurelymakeittheirbusinesstoadvocatesocialreformsaswellaspoliticalones，"
saidPagett。
"Verysurelytheywilldonosuchthing，"saidtheladydoctor，emphatically。"IwishIcouldmakeyouunderstand。Why，evenofthefundsdevotedtotheMarchionessofDufferin’sorganizationformedicalaidtothewomenofIndia，itwassaidinprintandinspeech，thattheywouldbebetterspentonmorecollegescholarshipsformen。Andinalltheadvancedparties’talk-Godforgivethem——andinalltheirprogrammes，theycarefullyavoidallsuchsubjects。Theywilltalkabouttheprotectionofthecow，forthat’sanancientsuperstition——theycanallunderstandthat;buttheprotectionofthewomenisanewanddangerousidea。"SheturnedtoPagettimpulsively：
"YouareamemberoftheEnglishParliament。Canyoudonothing？Thefoundationsoftheirlifearerotten-utterlyandbestiallyrotten。IcouldtellyourwifethingsthatIcouldn’ttellyou。Iknowthelife——theinnerlifethatbelongstothenative，andI
knownothingelse;andbelievemeyoumightaswelltrytogrowgolden-rodinamushroom-pitastomakeanythingofapeoplethatarebornandrearedasthese——thesethings’re。Thementalkoftheirrightsandprivileges。Ihaveseenthewomenthatbeartheseverymen，andagain-mayGodforgivethemen！"
Pagett’seyesopenedwithalargewonder。Dr。Lathroprosetempestuously。
"Imustbeofftolecture，"saidshe，"andI’msorrythatIcan’tshowyoumyhospitals;butyouhadbetterbelieve，sir，thatit’smorenecessaryforIndiathanalltheelectionsincreation。"
"That’sawomanwithamission，andnomistake，"saidPagett，afterapause。
"Yes;shebelievesinherwork，andsodoI，"saidOrde。"I’veanotionthatintheenditwillbefoundthatthemosthelpfulworkdoneforIndiainthisgenerationwaswroughtbyLadyDufferinindrawingattention-whatworkthatwas，bytheway，evenwithherhusband’sgreatnametobackittotheneedsofwomenhere。Ineffect，nativehabitsandbeliefsareanorganizedconspiracyagainstthelawsofhealthandhappylife——butthereissomedawningofhopenow。"
"Howd’youaccountforthegeneralindifferencc，then？"
"Isupposeit’sdueinparttotheirfatalismandtheirutterindifferencetoallhumansuffering。HowmuchdoyouimaginethegreatprovinceofthePun-jabwithovertwentymillionpeopleandhalfascorerichtownshascontributedtothemaintenanceofcivildispensarieslastyear？Aboutseventhousandrupees。"
"That’ssevenhundredpounds，"saidPagett，quickly。
"Iwishitwas，"repliedOrde;"butanyway，it’sanabsurdlyinadequatesum，andshowsoneoftheblanksidesofOrientalcharacter。"
Pagettwassilentforalongtime。Thequestionofdirectandpersonalpaindidnotliewithinhisresearches。Hepreferredtodiscusstheweightiermattersofthelaw，andcontentedhimselfwithmurmuring："They’lldobetterlateron。"Then，witharush，returningtohisfirstthought：
"But，mydearOrde，ifit’smerelyaclassmovementofalocalandtemporarycharacter，howd’youaccountforBradlaugh，whoisatleastamanofsensetakingitup？"
"IknownothingofthechampionoftheNewBrahminsbutwhatI
seeinthepapers。Isupposethereissomethingtemptinginbeinghailedbyalargeassemblageastherepresentativeoftheaspirationsoftwohundredandfiftymillionsofpeople。Suchamanlooks’throughalltheroaringandthewreaths，’anddoesnotreflectthatitisafalseperspective，which，asamatteroffact，hidestherealcomplexandmanifoldIndiafromhisgaze。Hecanscarcelybeexpectedtodistinguishbetweentheambitionsofanewoligarchyandtherealwantsofthepeopleofwhomheknowsnothing。Butit’sstrangethataprofessedRadicalshouldcometobethechosenadvocateofamovementwhichhasforitsaimtherevivalofanancienttyranny。ShowshowevenRadicalismcanfallintoacademicgroovesandmisstheessentialtruthsofitsowncreed。Believeme，Pagett，todealwithIndiayouwantfirst-handknowledgeandexperience。Iwishhewouldcomeandlivehereforacoupleofyearsorso。"
"Isnotthisratheranadhminemstyleofargument？"
"Can’thelpitinacaselikethis。Indeed，Iamnotsureyououghtnottogofurtherandweighthewholecharacterandqualityandupbringingoftheman。YoumustadmitthatthemonumentalcomplacencywithwhichhetrottedouthisingeniouslittleConstitutionforIndiashowedastrangewantofimaginationandthesenseofhumor。"
"No，Idon’tquiteadmitit，"saidPagett。
"Well，youknowhimandIdon’t，butthat’showitstrikesastranger。"Heturnedonhisheelandpacedtheverandathoughtfully。"And，afterall，theburdenoftheactual，dailyunromantictoilfallsontheshouldersofthemenouthere，andnotonhisown。Heenjoysalltheprivilegesofrecommendationwithoutresponsibility，andwe-well，perhaps，whenyou’veseenalittlemoreofIndiayou’llunderstand。Tobeginwith，ourdeathrate’sfivetimeshigherthanyours-Ispeaknowforthebrutalbureaucrat——andweworkontherefuseofworked-outcitiesandexhaustedcivilizations，amongthebonesofthedead。"
Pagettlaughed。"That’sanepigrammaticwayofputtingit，Orde。"
"Isit？Let’ssee，"saidtheDeputyCommissionerofAmara，stridingintothesunshinetowardahalf-nakedgardenerpottingroses。Hetooktheman’shoe，andwenttoarain-scarpedbankatthebottomofthegarden。
"Comehere，Pagett，"hesaid，andcutatthesun-bakedsoil。AfterthreestrokesthererolledfromunderthebladeofthehoethehalfofaclankingskeletonthatsettledatPagett’sfeetinanunseemlyjumbleofbones。TheM。P。drewback。
"Ourhousesarebuiltoncemeteries，"saidOrde。"Therearescoresofthousandsofgraveswithintenmiles。"
Pagettwascontemplatingtheskullwiththeawedfascinationofamanwhohasbutlittletodowiththedead。"India’saverycuriousplace，"saidhe，afterapause。
"Ah？You’llknowallaboutitinthreemonths。Comeintolunch，"
saidOrde。