e favours from the enemy, and, if I can
help it, no more interviews with the Governor. But there is this tour
of inspection--no getting out of that, and I shall have to see a great
deal of him. Well, as far as the Camps are concerned, I can always
'play the game' to him. That is a thing apart."

A few days after this interview with the Governor, Mr. Cinatti called
at Harmony with the interesting news that General Maxwell had invited
the entire Diplomatic Corps to spend a day with him at Irene.

"We are going to-morrow [July 13th]," he said. "Now, why are you not
there?" looking dolefully at Hansie.

"Oh, why did I leave my little round tent at Irene Camp?" she wailed.
"But I will give you a letter for Miss Findlay, Mr. Cinatti. She knows
all my worst cases and she has many quite as bad in her ward. Ask to
see her, and whatever you do, don't forget to ask for Dr. Neethling."

Dr. Neethling was the only Dutch doctor in the Camp, and he was seldom
in evidence when there was any question of inspection. That Consular
visit to Irene must have been quite an event. General Maxwell, Major
Hoskins, and all the Consuls in a body went through the Camp and
hospital, and made the usual inspection of foodstuffs and "medical
comforts."

They were satisfied that great improvements had been made, but they
did not see the volunteer nurses or Dr. Neethling, although Mr.
Cinatti asked three or four times for Miss Findlay and all the Consuls
asked to see Dr. Neethling. These good people were not forthcoming,
and there was so very much to see that it was time for the sumptuous
lunch, with which General Maxwell treated the Consuls at the Railway
Station, before further questions could be asked.

On the return journey General Maxwell inquired of Mr. Cinatti what he
thought of the Camps, to which Mr. Cinatti replied, with that quaint
mixture of pathos and humour which characterised him:

"General, your tiffin was a beauty, but your Camp--was very sad!"

Mrs. van Warmelo laughed when Hansie repeated these words to her and
said:

"Oh, you have no idea how funny he is," and then she related the
following incident to her daughter with great relish:

After she had drawn up the first petition, she was out driving one
afternoon with Mrs. General Joubert in the latter's carriage, going
from house to house to get the signatures to the petition, and on the
Sunnyside bridge they found the three inseparable Consuls, Aubert,
Cinatti, and Nieuwenh