e want of occupation for their thoughts and minds, it is
very hard for them to avoid getting spoilt."

"Well, I hope I shan't get spoilt, Doctor; and I hope, if you see that I
am getting spoilt, you will make a point of telling me so at once."

The Doctor grunted. "Theoretically, people are always ready to receive
good advice, Miss Hannay; practically they are always offended by
it. However, in your case I will risk it, and I am bound to say that
hitherto you have proved yourself more amenable in that way than most
young women I have come across."

"And now, if we have done, we will go out on the veranda," the Major
said. "I am sure the Doctor must be dying for a cheroot."

"The Doctor has smoked pretty continuously since we left Allahabad,"
Isobel said. "He wanted to sit up with the driver, but, of course, I
would not have that. I had got pretty well accustomed to smoke coming
out, and even if I had not been I would much rather have been almost
suffocated than have been in there by myself. I thought a dozen times
the vehicle was going to upset, and what with the bumping and the
shouting and the cracking of the whip--especially when the horses
wouldn't start, which was generally the case at first--I should have
been frightened out of my life had I been alone. It seemed to me that
something dreadful was always going to happen."

"You can take it easy this morning, Isobel," the Major said, when they
were comfortably seated in the bamboo lounges in the veranda. "You want
have any callers today, as it will be known you traveled all night.
People will imagine that you want a quiet day before you are on show."

"What a horrid expression, uncle!"

"Well, my dear, it represents the truth. The arrival of a fresh lady
from England, especially of a 'spin,' which is short for spinster or
unmarried woman, is an event of some importance in an Indian station.
Not, of course, so much in a place like this, because this is the center
of a large district, but in a small station it is an event of the first
importance. The men are anxious to see what a newcomer is like for
herself; the women, to look at her dresses and see the latest fashions
from home, and also to ascertain whether she is likely to turn out a
formidable rival. However, today you can enjoy quiet; tomorrow you
must attire yourself in your most becoming costume, and I will trot you
round."

"Trot me round, uncle?"

"Yes, my dear. In India the order of procedure is r