reality, Mrs. Sankey asked a thousand rupees a year; but the
Parsee, with the generosity for which his race is distinguished,
had agreed to pay the extra three hundred rupees himself.

"Before it is quite settled," Mrs. Sankey said, "I should like to
see the boy. As Mr. Jeemajee has told you, I have two daughters
about the same age. I must, therefore, be guided in my decision by
my impression of him."

"I will bring him to see you, in three or four days," Soyera said.
"His stain is already faded a good deal, and I shall be able to get
it off, by that time. I have to get English clothes for him.

"I am greatly obliged to you for saying that you will take him, if
he pleases you. That I think he will do. I have taught him manners,
as well as I could. He is as anxious as I am to improve himself;
and will, I am sure, give you no more trouble than he can help."

"I will see that he is properly clothed, Mrs. Sankey," Jeemajee
remarked. "I knew his father, and have a great interest in him."

Mrs. Sankey chatted for some little time to Soyera; gave her her
card, with her address on Malabar Hill; and then left.

Soyera began to thank the Parsee for his introduction, but he said:

"It was a little thing to do and, as I knew his father, it was only
right that I should help, as far as I could. Will you bring me,
tomorrow morning, the measurement of the boy's height, size around
his shoulders and waist, the lengths of his arms and legs? You need
trouble yourself no further about it. I shall take that matter upon
myself. Come, three days later, for his clothes.

"Goodbye! I have other matters to see about," and, without waiting
for any thanks from Soyera, he at once went into his shop, and
began to talk to his assistant.

Many were the scrubbings Harry had to undergo, during the next few
days; and his hair and face were nearly restored to their proper
colour when Soyera returned, one evening, with a coolie carrying a
trunk of some size. It contained the whole outfit for a boy: one
dark suit, and four of white nankeen; with a stock of shirts,
underclothing, and shoes. Soyera showed Harry how these garments,
with which he was wholly unacquainted, should be put on.

"They fit you capitally," she said, when she surveyed him. "And you
look like a little English sahib."

"They feel very tight and uncomfortable," he said.

"They are sure to do so, at first; but you will soon get over that.
Now, Ramdass will take you out for a w