of the place and people--you know,
first impressions go a long way!"

"Yes. Although I have only just rattled through the streets and along
the Strand, the impression I gathered is that the Burmese appear to be
an amazingly happy crew, with no thought for the morrow; they were all
laughing and chattering as if life was a splendid joke and they enjoyed
it thoroughly. The _joie de vivre_ simply hits me in the eye!"

"I can explain all that," said Salter, putting down his cheroot and
sitting forward in his long chair. "The Burman has no fear of death,
but proclaims an intense consciousness that it is a mere passing over
to another existence--one of a chain of many future lives--and I think
I may say that this belief is universal. They also declare that a
man's, present life is absolutely controlled by the influence of past
good or bad deeds, and that in the next world they may possibly be
better off than they are in this. Although a Burman gives alms,
worships at the pagoda on appointed days, and repeats the doxology he
has learnt at school, he governs his life by the _nats_--spirits of the
air, the forests, streams, and home, who must be propitiated."

"I never heard of these _nats_ until now," said Shafto.

"No; but, as I have said before, you will hear a good deal about them
here, especially if you mix with the Burmans."

"I certainly hope I shall see something of the people of the country."

"You will find them interesting; a full-blooded, pleasure-loving race;
they've curious, original ideas, drawn from their ancient and sacred
books, and an amazingly generous notion of time. For instance, they
talk glibly of worlds a hundred thousand years old, and believe that
this very planet has been destroyed no fewer than sixty-five
times--chiefly by fire, on ten occasions by water, and once by wind!
According to them, as in the New Testament, 'a thousand years are but
as yesterday.' And yet they do not acknowledge the existence of a
Supreme Being--the highest glory is annihilation."

At this moment a light little figure flitted up the stairs, leaving an
impression of slender elegance and satin skirt.

"Ah, there goes Ma Chit, my wife's cousin!" explained Salter.

"And I must be taking my departure," said Shafto rising. "What you
have been telling me is extraordinarily interesting, and I would gladly
sit on for hours, but it is ten o'clock."

"Yes, and we workers are early birds. I hope you will come and see u