semi-independent state to see
the prince. I travelled up with two of his officials, men whom I had
seen a good deal of for some months before, as his messengers and
spokesmen, about affairs on the border. We travelled for three days, and
came at last to where he had pitched his camp in the forest. He had
built me a house, too, next to his camp, where I put up. I had a long
interview with him about official matters--I need not tell of that
here--and after our business was over we talked of many things, and at
last I got up to take my leave. I had seen towards the end that the
prince had something on his mind, something he wanted to say, but was
afraid, or too shy, to mention; and when I got up, instead of moving
away, I laughed and said:

'Well, what is it? I think there is something the prince wants to say
before I go.'

And the prince smiled back awkwardly, still desirous to have his say,
still clearly afraid to do so, and at last it was his wife who spoke.

'It is about the whisky,' she said. 'We know that you drink it. That is
your own business. We hear, too, that it is the custom in the part of
the country you have taken for English officers to give whisky and beer
to officials who come to see you--to _our_ officials,' and she looked at
the men who had come up with me, and they blushed. 'The prince wishes to
ask you not to do it here. Of course, in your own country you do what
you like, but in the prince's country no one is allowed to drink or to
smoke opium. It is against our faith. That is what the prince wanted to
say. The thakin will not be offended if he is asked that here in our
country he will not tempt any of us to break our religion.'

I almost wished I had not encouraged the prince to speak. I am afraid
that the embarrassment passed over to my side. What could I say but that
I would remember, that I was not offended, but would be careful? I had
been lecturing the prince about his shortcomings; I had been warning him
of trouble to come, unless he mended his ways; I had been telling him
wonderful things of Europe and our power. I thought that I had produced
an impression of superiority--I was young then--but when I left I had my
doubts who it was that scored most in that interview. However, I have
remembered ever since. I was not a frequent offender before--I have
never offered a Burman liquor since.

CHAPTER XIX

MANNERS

'Not where others fail, or do, or leave undone--the wise should