don't fly out. I was only going to say that I
can't help feeling doubtful at times about our position here."

"But you don't think that the Malays--"

"Yes, I do--I think that they are very untrustworthy. They dislike us
for religious reasons as well as for taking possession of their country,
and, in short, there are times when I can't help feeling that we are
living on the slopes of a moral volcano which might burst forth at any
moment."

"But, Doctor, they seem so friendly."

"Yes, my lad; as you say, they seem so friendly."

"Why, lots of the people quite worship you. See how they come for
advice."

"Oh yes," said the Doctor dryly, "I get plenty of native patients; but
that doesn't make their own doctors any fonder of me. Still, I dare say
I can get on very well, and, as I have suggested, I may be too
suspicious. Nothing may happen for years--perhaps never. But you are a
soldier."

"Well, yes, sir," said the lad, laughing. "Old Ripsy's trying to make
me one."

"And you _are_ a soldier, my lad; and though you mayn't have to fight,
you will quite agree with me that it is wise to keep your powder dry."

"Of course, sir."

"There's no harm in that, eh?"

"Of course not, sir."

"Well, men are men, and women are women."

"Yes, sir," said the lad, smiling.

"And we don't want to frighten them by letting them see that we are
always going to the magazine. See what I mean?"

"Yes, sir. You mean, not let them know that you have any doubts about
our position here."

"Good. I went a roundabout way to put it before you, but you have hit
the right nail clean on the head at once. We want to make their lives
as sunshiny as we can, and not try to point out clouds where as likely
as not there are none."

"Of course not, sir."

"Right, Archie. A quiet, thoughtful man would, of course, be careful
not to discuss matters before our womenkind that might have an alarming
tendency."

"And you think I, a boy, might, sir?" said Archie, frowning heavily.

"Yes," said the Doctor; "but not after such a broad hint as I am giving
you now, my lad;" and he leaned forward and patted his visitor upon the
knee.

The change in Archie Maine's countenance was instantaneous. The
wrinkles of doubt were smoothed out from his forehead, and he stood up,
gazing as it were straight past the Doctor into the future, his lips
compressed and a general tensity of expression seeming to pervade every
feature. Then he started v