Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-19
CHAPTER II.
The Dancing Is Resumed.

'Oh. / love India-adore it, simply
Mrs. Cary exclaimed, in the tone Of per-
son who. usually self-controlled, ffrds
himself overwhelmed by the force of his
own enthusiasm There is something so
mystic, so enthralling about it, don't you
think. 1 always feel as though l were
wandering through a chapter of the
ARA bian Nights full OF gorgeous
princes. wicked robbers. GENT. or what
ever you call them. Isn't it go with you.
Mrs. Carmichael?"
Her hostess. a thin, alert little woman,
with bony, weatherbeaten face. cast an
anxious glance at the rest of her guests
scattered about the garden
There aren't any robbers about here
except my cook, she said, prosaically
MY husband wouldn't allow such thing
in his department. and i'm mine he is no
good at all. AS for the princes we don't
see anything of the only one this region
boasts of. He may be gorgeous. but 1
really cannot say for certain
All" said Mrs. Cary. with a placid
smile. You have been in fairyland too
long. dear Mrs. Carmichael. That's what s
the matter with you. You are beginning
to look upon it as a very ordinary every
day place. II you only knew what it is to
come to II with virgin heart and mind
--th:rsting for Impressions. as it were.
That is how we feel. do We not, Bea-
trice? She half turned to the girl stand
ing at her side. as though seeking to
draw her into the conversation.
1T fs. indeed. new for me" the latter
answered. shortly. and with slight en-
phasis on the personal pronoun.
Il was about to remark that this is
scarcely your first visit TO India" Mrs.
Carmichael put in. II understood that
Your late husband had a government APP
pointment somewhere I'm the SOUTH"
Mrs. Cary's heavy face flushed, though
whether with heat or annoyance it was
not easy to judge.
"Of course-a very excellent appoint
ment, too-but the place. and the people,
She became confidential and her voice
sank. though beyond her daughter there
was no ore within hearing Between
you and me. Mrs. Carmichael. the people
were dreadful. You know. / am not snob-
bish-indeed. | must confess to quite
democratic tendencies which my family
always greatly deplores-but i really
couldn't stand the people. | had to go
place was filled with subordinate railway
officials. Don't you hate subordinates.
dear Mrs. Carmichael?'
Mrs. Carmichae! stared. during which
process her eyes happened to fall on
Beatrice Cary's half-averted face She
was surprised to find that the somewhat
thin lips were smiling-though not agree
ably.
II really don't know what you mean by
'subordinates. !" Mrs. Carmichael said. in
her uncomprOmising way. Most people
are subordinates at some time or other.
My husband was lieutenant once.
don't remember objecting to him. At any
rate" she continued. hastily. as though
to cut the conversation short. Il hope you
will like the people here
I'm sure l shall. 4 military circle is
always so delightful. That is what l said
to Beatrice when felt that must revisit
the scene of my girlish days. We must
go somewhere where there is military.
OF course. we might have gone to Simla-
have influential friends there. you know
but / wanted my girl to see real bit
Of genuine India, and Simla Is SO modern.
Really a great pity, think. I am so
passionately, fond Of color and pictur-