But they're jolly grateful for a dash of it
when their skins are touched. It takes a soldier of the right sort to
know just when a dash of cruelty is kindness--and the reverse--in
dealing with backward peoples; and crowds, of any colour, are the
backwardest peoples going! It would be just as well to get the women
safely off the scene."
He looked very straight at Roy, whose sensitive soul winced, at the
impact of his thought. Since their brief talk, the fact of the
engagement had been tacitly accepted--tacitly ignored. Lance had a
positive genius for that sort of thing; and in this case it was a
godsend to Roy.
"Quite so," he agreed, returning the look.
"Well--you're in a position to suggest it."
"I'm not sure if it would be exactly appreciated. But I'll have a shot
at it to-morrow."
* * * * *
The city, that night, duly enjoyed its 'holy rumpus.' But on Monday
morning shops were open again; everything as normal as you please; and
the cheerful prophets congratulated themselves that the explosion had
proved a damp squib after all.
Foremost among these was Mr Talbot Hayes, whose ineffable air of being
in the confidence of the Almighty--not to mention the whole Hindu
Pantheon--was balm to Mrs Elton at this terrifying juncture. For her
mountain of flesh hid a mouse of a soul, and her childhood had been
shadowed by tales of Mutiny horrors. With her it was almost an
obsession. The least unusual uproar at a railway station, or holiday
excitement in the bazaar, sufficed to convince her that the hour had
struck for which, subconsciously, she had been waiting all her life.
So, throughout Sunday morning, she had been a quivering jelly of fear;
positively annoyed with Rose for her serene assurance that 'the Pater
would pull it off all right.' She had never quite fathomed her
daughter's faith in the shy, undistinguished man for whom she cherished
an affection secretly tinged with contempt. In this case it was
justified. He had returned to tiffin quite unruffled; had vouchsafed no
details; simply assured her she need not worry. Thank God, they had a
strong L.G. That was all.
But authority, in the person of Talbot Hayes, was more communicative--in
a flatteringly confidential undertone. A long talk with him had cheered
her considerably; and on Monday she was still further cheered by a piece
of news her daughter casually let fall at breakfast, between the poached
eggs and the marmalade.
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