I had
fined a man a sixpence, he would have quit work that hour, and now I
remove half his income, and he is glad to stay on--nay, does not seem to
entertain the possibility of leaving. And this in the face of one
particular difficulty--I mean our house in the bush, and no society, and
no women society within decent reach.

I think I must give you our staff in a tabular form.

HOUSE KITCHEN OUTSIDE

+ o _Sosimo_, provost + o _Talolo_, provost + o _Henry Simele_,
and butler, and my and chief cook. provost and overseer
valet. of outside
+ o _Iopu_, second cook. boys.
o _Misifolo_, who
is Fanny and _Tali_, his wife, no _L[=u]_.
Belle's chamberlain. wages.
_Tasi Sele_.
_Ti'a_, Samoan cook.
_Maiele_.
_Feiloa'i_, his child,
no wages, likewise no _Pulu_, who is also
work--Belle's pet. our talking man
and cries the ava.
+ o _Leuelu_, Fanny's
boy, gardener, odd jobs.

IN APIA

+ _Eliga_, washman and
daily errand man.

The crosses mark out the really excellent boys. Ti'a is the man who has
just been fined 1/2 his wages; he is a beautiful old man, the living
image of "Fighting Gladiator," my favourite statue--but a dreadful
humbug. I think we keep him on a little on account of his looks. This
sign o marks those who have been two years or upwards in the family. I
note all my old boys have the cross of honour, except Misifolo; well,
poor dog, he does his best, I suppose. You should see him scour. It is a
remark that has often been made by visitors: you never see a Samoan run,
except at Vailima. Do you not suppose that makes me proud?

I am pleased to see what a success _The Wrecker_ was, having already in
little more than a year outstripped _The Master of Ballantrae_.

About _David Balfour_ in two volumes, do see that they make it a
decent-looking book, and tell me, do you think a little historical
appendix would be of service? Lang bleats for one, an