at if all the chairs were occupied, but at all
events not to be found standing. They would bend their heads and blush,
and glance shyly at each other for encouragement as I came in, but no
one got up, or took his hat off. This went on for a few weeks, until I
felt sure that this curious behaviour did not spring from forgetfulness,
or inattention. When I mentioned my grievance in the drawing-room to the
gentlemen, I only got laughed at for my pains, and I was asked what
else I expected? To this question used to be added sundry anecdotes of
earlier colonial life, intended to reconcile me to the manners of these
later days. I remember particularly a legend of a man cook, who was said
to have walked into the sitting-room of the station where the master was
practising tunes on an accordion, and exclaimed, "Now, look here, boss,
if you don't leave off that there noise, which perwents me gettin' a
wink o' sleep, I'll clear out o' this, sharp, to-morrow mornin'. So now
yer know," and with that remark he returned to his bunk.

At last I was goaded to declare I felt sure that the men only behaved
in that way from crass ignorance, and that if they knew how much my
feelings were hurt, they would alter their manners directly. This
opinion was received with such incredulity that I felt roused to declare
I should try the experiment next Sunday afternoon. The only warning
which at all daunted me was the assurance that I should affront my
congregation and scare them away. It was the dread of this which made
my heart beat so fast, and my hands turn so cold as I opened the
kitchen-door the next Sunday afternoon. There were exactly the same
attitudes, every body perfectly civil and respectful, but every body
seated. Luckily my courage rose at the right moment, and I came forward
as usual with a smile, and said, "Look here, my men, there is one little
thing I want to ask you. Do you know that it is not the custom anywhere,
in any civilized country, for gentlemen to remain seated and covered
when a lady comes into the room? If I were to go into a room in England,
where the Prince of Wales, or any of the finest gentlemen of the land
were sitting, just as you are now, they would all get up, the Prince
first, most likely, and they would certainly take off their hats! Now
why can't you all do the same, here?"

The effect of my little speech was magical. Pepper glanced at McQuhair,
Moffatt crimsoned and nudged McKenzie, Wiry Ben slipped off the