\"Iain’tmovin’，\"saidtheCorporal，raisinghishead;\"youdaren’t’itamanon’islegs。LetgoO’JerryBlazesan’comeoutO’thatwithyourfistes。Comean’’itme。Youdaren’t，youbloomin’
dog-shooter！\"
\"Idare。\"
\"Youlie，youman-sticker。Yousneakin’，Sheenybutcher，youlie。
Seethere！\"Slanekickedtherifleaway，andstoodupintheperilofhislife。\"Comeon，now！\"
ThetemptationwasmorethanSimmonscouldresist，fortheCorporalinhiswhiteclothesofferedaperfectmark。
\"Don’tmisnameme，\"shoutedSimmons，firingashespoke。Theshotmissed，andtheshooter，blindwithrage，threwhisrifledownandrushedatSlanefromtheprotectionofthewell。Withinstrikingdistance，hekickedsavagelyatSlane’sstomach，buttheweedyCorporalknewsomethingofSimmons’sweakness，andknew，too，thedeadlyguardforthatkick。Bowingforwardanddrawinguphisrightlegtilltheheeloftherightfootwassetsomethreeinchesabovetheinsideoftheleftknee-cap，hemettheblowstandingononeleg——exactlyasGondsstandwhentheymeditate——andreadyforthefallthatwouldfollow。Therewasanoath，theCorporalfelloverhisownleftasshinbonemetshinbone，andthePrivatecollapsed，hisrightlegbrokenaninchabovetheankle。
\"’Pityyoudon’tknowthatguard，Sim，\"saidSlane，spittingoutthedustasherose。Thenraisinghisvoice——\"Comean’takehimorf。
I’vebruk’isleg。\"Thiswasnotstrictlytrue，forthePrivatehadaccomplishedhisowndownfall，sinceitisthespecialmeritofthatleg-guardthattheharderthekickthegreaterthekicker’sdiscomfiture。
SlanewalkedtoJerryBlazesandhungoverhimwithostentatiousanxiety，whileSimmons，weepingwithpain，wascarriedaway。\"
’Opeyouain’t’urtbadly，Sir，\"saidSlane。TheMajorhadfainted，andtherewasanugly，raggedholethroughthetopofhisarm。
Slanekneltdownandmurmured。\"S’elpme，Ibelieve’e’sdead。
Well，ifthatain’tmybloomingluckallover！\"
ButtheMajorwasdestinedtoleadhisBatteryafieldformanyalongdaywithunshakennerve。Hewasremoved，andnursedandpettedintoconvalescence，whiletheBatterydiscussedthewisdomofcapturingSimmons，andblowinghimfromagun。TheyidolizedtheirMajor，andhisreappearanceonparadebroughtaboutascenenowhereprovidedforintheArmyRegulations。
Great，too，wastheglorythatfelltoSlane’sshare。TheGunnerswouldhavemadehimdrunkthriceadayforatleastafortnight。
EventheColonelofhisownregimentcomplimentedhimuponhiscoolness，andthelocalpapercalledhimahero。Thesethingsdidnotpuffhimup。WhentheMajorofferedhimmoneyandthanks，thevirtuousCorporaltooktheoneandputasidetheother。Buthehadarequesttomakeandprefaceditwithmanya\"Begy’pardon，Sir。\"CouldtheMajorseehiswaytolettingtheSlaneM’KennaweddingbeadornedbythepresenceoffourBatteryhorsestopullahiredbarouche？TheMajorcould，andsocouldtheBattery。
Excessivelyso。Itwasagorgeouswedding。
******
\"WotdidIdoitfor？\"saidCorporalSlane。\"Forthe’orsesO’
course。Jhansiain’tabeautytolookat，butIwasn’tgoin’to’aveahiredturn-out。JerryBlazes？IfI’adn’t’a’wantedsomething，Simmightha’blowedJerryBlazes’blooming’eadintoHirishstewforaughtI’d’a’cared。\"
AndtheyhangedPrivateSimmons-hangedhimashighasHamaninhollowsquareoftheregiment;andtheColonelsaiditwasDrink;andtheChaplainwassureitwastheDevil;andSimmonsfancieditwasboth，buthedidn’tknow，andonlyhopedhisfatewouldbeawarningtohiscompanions;andhalfadozen\"intelligentpublicists\"wrotesixbeautifulleadingarticleson\"’ThePrevalenceofCrimeintheArmy。\"
Butnotasoulthoughtofcomparingthe\"bloody-mindedSimmons\"tothesquawking，gapingschoolgirlwithwhichthisstoryopens。
TheEnlightenmentsofPagett，M。P。
\"Becausehalfadozengrasshoppersunderafernmakethefieldringwiththeirimportunatechinkwhilethousandsofgreatcattle，reposedbeneaththeshadowoftheBritishoak，chewthecudandaresilent，praydonotimaginethatthosewhomakethenoisearetheonlyinhabitantsofthefield-that，ofcourse，theyaremanyinnumberorthat，afterall，theyareotherthanthelittle，shrivelled，meagre，hopping，thoughloudandtroublesomeinsectsofthehour。\"-Burke：\"ReflectionsontheRevolutioninFrance。\"
THEYweresittingintheverandaof\"thesplendidpalaceofanIndianPro-Consul\";surroundedbyallthegloryandmysteryoftheimmemorialEast。InplainEnglishitwasaone-storied，ten-roomed，whitewashed，mud-roofedbungalow，setinadrygardenofdustytamarisktreesanddividedfromtheroadbyalowmudwall。Thegreenparrotsscreamedoverheadastheyflewinbattalionstotheriverfortheirmorningdrink。Beyondthewall，cloudsoffinedustshowedwherethecattleandgoatsofthecitywerepassingafieldtograze。TheremorselesswhitelightofthewintersunshineofNorthernIndialayuponeverythingandimprovednothing，fromthewhiningPeisian-wheelbythelawn-tenniscourttothelongperspectiveoflevelroadandtheblue，domedtombsofMohammedansaintsjustvisibleabovethetrees。
\"AHappyNewYear，\"saidOrdetohisguest。\"It’sthefirstyou’veeverspentoutofEngland，isn’tit？\"
\"Yes。’HappyNewYear，\"saidPagett，smilingatthesunshine。
\"Whatadivineclimateyouhavehere！JustthinkofthebrowncoldfoghangingoverLondonnow！\"Andherubbedhishands。
ItwasmorethantwentyyearssincehehadlastseenOrde，hisschoolmate，andtheirpathsintheworldhaddividedearly。Theonehadquittedcollegetobecomeacog-wheelinthemachineryofthegreatIndianGovernment;theothermoreblessedwithgoods，hadbeenwhirledintoasimilarpositionintheEnglishscheme。
ThreesuccessiveelectionshadnotaffectedPagett’spositionwithaloyalconstituency，andhehadgrowninsensiblytoregardhimselfinsomesortasapillaroftheEmpire，whoserealworthwouldbeknownlateron。Afterafewyearsofconscientiousattendanceatmanydivisions，afternewspaperbattlesinnumerableandthepublicationofinterminablecorrespondence，andmorehastyoratorythaninhiscalmermomentshecaredtothinkupon，itoccurredtohim，asithadoccurredtomanyofhisfellowsinParliament，thatatourtoIndiawouldenablehimtosweepalargerlyreandaddresshimselftotheproblemsofImperialadministrationwithafirmerhand。Accepting，therefore，ageneralinvitationextendedtohimbyOrdesomeyearsbefore，PagetthadtakenshiptoKarachi，andonlyover-nighthadbeenreceivedwithjoybytheDeputy-CommissionerofAmara。Theyhadsatlate，discussingthechangesandchancesoftwentyyears，recallingthenamesofthedead，andweighingthefuturesoftheliving，asisthecustomofmenmeetingafterintervalsofaction。
Nextmorningtheysmokedtheafterbreakfastpipeintheveranda，stillregardingeachothercuriously，Pagett，inalightgreyfrock-coatandgarmentsmuchtoothinforthetimeoftheyear，andapuggriedsun-hatcarefullyandwonderfullymade。Ordeinashootingcoat，ridingbreeches，browncowhidebootswithspurs，andabatteredflaxhelmet。Hehadriddensomemilesintheearlymorningtoinspectadoubtfulriverdam。Themen’sfacesdifferedasmuchastheirattire。Orde’swornandwrinkledaroundtheeyes，andgrizzledatthetemples，wastheharderandmoresquareofthetwo，anditwaswithsomethinglikeenvythattheownerlookedatthecomfortableoutlinesofPagett’sblandlyreceptivecountenance，theclearskin，theuntroubledeye，andthemobile，clean-shavedlips。
\"AndthisisIndia！\"saidPagettforthetwentiethtimestaringlongandintentlyatthegreyfeatheringoftbetamarisks。
\"OneportionofIndiaonly。It’sverymuchlikethisfor300milesineverydirection。Bytheway，nowthatyouhaverestedalittle——I
wouldn’tasktheoldquestionbefore——whatd’youthinkofthecountry？\"
’Tisthemostpervasivecountrythateveryetwasseen。IacquiredseveralpoundsofyourcountrycomingupfromKarachi。Theairisheavywithit，andformilesandmilesalongthatdistressfuleternityofrailthere’snohorizontoshowwhereairandearthseparate。\"
\"Yes。Itisn’teasytoseetrulyorfarinIndia。Butyouhadadecentpassageout，hadn’tyou？\"
\"Verygoodonthewhole。YourAnglo-Indianmaybeunsympatheticaboutone’spoliticalviews;buthehasreducedshiplifetoascience。\"
\"TheAnglo-Indianisapoliticalorphan，andifhe’swisehewon’tbeinahurrytobeadoptedbyyourpartygrandmothers。Buthowwereyourcompanions，unsympathetic？\"
\"Well，therewasamancalledDawlishe，ajudgesomewhereinthiscountryitseems，andacapitalpartneratwhistbytheway，andwhenIwantedtotalktohimabouttheprogressofIndiainapoliticalsense（Ordehidagrin，whichmightormightnothavebeensympathetic），theNationalCongressmovement，andotherthingsinwhich，asaMemberofParliament，I’mofcourseinterested，heshiftedthesubject，andwhenIoncecorneredhim，helookedmecalmlyintheeye，andsaid：’That’sallTommyrot。
ComeandhaveagameatBull。’Youmaylaugh;butthatisn’tthewaytotreatagreatandimportantquestion;and，knowingwhoI
was。well。Ithoughtitratherrude，don’tyouknow;andyetDawlisheisathoroughlygoodfellow。\"
\"Yes;he’safriendofmine，andoneofthestraightestmenIknow。
Isuppose，likemanyAnglo-Indians，hefeltitwashopelesstogiveyouanyjustideaofanyIndianquestionwithoutthedocumentsbeforeyou，andinthiscasethedocumentsyouwantarethecountryandthepeople。\"
\"Precisely。ThatwaswhyIcamestraighttoyou，bringinganopenmindtobearonthings。I’manxioustoknowwhatpopularfeelinginIndiaisreallylikey’know，nowthatithaswakenedintopoliticallife。TheNationalCongress，inspiteofDawlishe，musthavecausedgreatexcitementamongthemasses？\"
\"Onthecontrary，nothingcouldbemoretranquilthanthestateofpopularfeeling;andastoexcitement，thepeoplewouldassoonbeexcitedoverthe’RuleofThree’asovertheCongress。\"
\"Excuseme，Orde，butdoyouthinkyouareafairjudge？Isn’ttheofficialAnglo-Indiannaturallyjealousofanyexternalinfluencesthatmightmovethemasses，andsomuchopposedtoliberalideas，trulyliberalideas，thathecanscarcelybeexpectedtoregardapopularmovementwithfairness？\"
\"WhatdidDawlishesayaboutTommyRot？Thinkamoment，oldman。YouandIwerebroughtuptogether;taughtbythesametutors，readthesamebooks，livedthesamelife，andnewlanguages，andworkamongnewraces;whileyou，morefortunate，remainathome。WhyshouldIchangemymindourmind-becauseIchangemysky？WhyshouldIandthefewhundredEnglishmeninmyservicebecomeunreasonable，prejudicedfossils，whileyouandyournewerfriendsaloneremainbrightandopen-minded？
Yousurelydon’tfancyciviliansaremembersofaPrimroseLeague？\"
\"Ofcoursenot，butthemerepositionofanEnglishofficialgiveshimapointofviewwhichcannotbutbiashismindonthisquestion。\"Pagettmovedhiskneeupanddownalittleuneasilyashespoke。
\"Thatsoundsplausibleenough，but，likemoreplausiblenotionsonIndianmatters，Ibelieveit’samistake。You’llfindwhenyoucometoconsulttheunofficialBritonthatourfault，asaclass——Ispeakoftheciviliannow-israthertomagnifytheprogressthathasbeenmadetowardliberalinstitutions。ItisofEnglishorigin，suchasitis，andthestressofourworksincetheMutiny——onlythirtyyearsago——hasbeeninthatdirection。No，IthinkyouwillgetnofairerormoredispassionateviewoftheCongressbusinessthansuchmenasIcangiveyou。ButImayaswellsayatoncethatthosewhoknowmostofIndia，fromtheinside，areinclinedtowonderatthenoiseourscarcelybegunexperimentmakesinEngland。\"
\"ButsurelythegatheringtogetherofCongressdelegatesisofitselfanewthing。\"
\"There’snothingnewunderthesunWhenEuropewasajunglehalfAsiaflockedtothecanonicalconferencesofBuddhism;andforcenturiesthepeoplehavegatheredatPun，Hurdwar，Trimbak，andBenaresinimmensenumbers。Agreatmeeting，whatyoucallamassmeeting，isreallyoneoftheoldestandmostpopularofIndianinstitutionsInthecaseoftheCongressmeetings，theonlynotablefactisthatthepriestsofthealtarareBritish，notBuddhist，JamorBrahmanical，andthatthewholethingisaBritishcontrivancekeptalivebytheeffortsofMessrs。Hume，Eardley，Norton，andDigby。\"
\"Youmeantosay，then，itsnotaspontaneousmovement？\"
\"Whatmovementwaseverspontaneousinanytruesenseoftheword？Thisseemstobemorefactitiousthanusual。Youseemtoknowagreatdealaboutit;tryitbythetouchstoneofsubscriptions，acoarsebutfairlytrustworthycriterion，andthereisscarcelythecolorofmoneyinit。ThedelegateswritefromEnglandthattheyareoutofpocketforworkingexpenses，railwayfares，andstationery——themerepasteboardandscaffoldingoftheirshow。Itis，infact，collapsingfrommerefinancialinanition。\"
\"ButyoucannotdenythatthepeopleofIndia，whoare，perhaps，toopoortosubscribe，arementallyandmorallymovedbytheagitation，\"Pagettinsisted。
\"ThatispreciselywhatIdodeny。Thenativesideofthemovementistheworkofalimitedclass，amicroscopicminority，asLordDufferindescribedit，whencomparedwiththepeopleproper，butstillaveryinterestingclass，seeingthatitisofourowncreation。ItiscomposedalmostentirelyofthoseoftheliteraryorclerklycasteswhohavereceivedanEnglisheducation。\"
\"Surelythatsaveryimportantclass。Itsmembersmustbetheordainedleadersofpopularthought。\"
\"Anywhereelsetheymightheleaders，buttheyhavenosocialweightinthistopsy-turvyland，andthoughtheyhavebeenemployedinclericalworkforgenerationstheyhavenoprac。ticalknowledgeofaffairs。Aship’sclerkisausefulperson，butheitscarcelythecaptain;andanorderly-roomwriter，howeversmarthemaybe，isnotthecolonel。Yousee，thewriterclassinIndiahasnevertillnowaspiredtoanythinglikecommand。Itwasntallowedto。TheIndiangentleman，forthousandsofyearspast，hasresembledVictorHugo’snoble：
’UnvraisireChatelainLaisseecrireLevilain。
SamaindigneQuandilsigneEgratigneLevelin。
Andthelittleegralignureshemostlikestomakehavebeenscoredprettydeeplybythesword。\"
\"Butthisischildishandmedhevalnonsense！\"
\"Precisely;andfromyour，orratherour，pointofviewthepenismightierthanthesword。Inthiscountryit’sotherwise。ThefaultliesinourIndianbalances，notyetadjustedtocivilizedweightsandmeasures。\"
\"Well，atallevents，thisliteraryclassrepresentthenaturalaspirationsandwishesofthepeopleatlarge，thoughitmaynotexactlyleadthem，and，inspiteofallyousay，Orde，IdefyyoutofindareallysoundEnglishRadicalwhowouldnotsympathizewiththoseaspirations。\"
Pagettspokewithsomewarmth，andhehadscarcelyceasedwhenawellappointeddog-cartturnedintothecompoundgates，andOrderosesaying：
\"HereisEdwards，theMasteroftheLodgeIneglectsodiligently，cometotalkaboutaccounts，Isuppose。\"
AsthevehicledroveupundertheporchPagettalsorose，sayingwiththetrainedeffusionbornofmuchpractice：
\"Butthisisalsomyfriend，myoldandvaluedfriendEdwards。I’mdelightedtoseeyou。IknewyouwereinIndia，butnotexactlywhere。\"
\"Thenitisn’taccounts，Mr。Edwards，\"saidOrde，cheerily。
\"Why，no，sir;IheardMr。Pagettwascoming，andasourworkswereclosedfortheNewYearIthoughtIwoulddriveoverandseehim。\"
\"Averyhappythought。Mr。Edwards，youmaynotknow，Orde，wasaleadingmemberofourRadicalClubatSwitebtonwhenI
wasbeginningpoliticallife，andIowemuchtohisexertions。
There’snopleasurelikemeetinganoldfriend，except，perhaps，makinganewone。Isuppose，Mr。Edwards，yousticktothegoodoldcause？\"
\"Well，yousee，sir，thingsaredifferentouthere。There’spreciouslittleonecanfindtosayagainsttheGovernment，whichwasthemainofourtalkathome，andthemthatdosaythingsarenotthesorto’peopleamanwhorespectshimselfwouldliketobemixedupwith。Therearenopolitics，inamannerofspeaking，inIndia。
It’sallwork。\"
\"Surelyyouaremistaken，mygoodfriend。WhyIhavecomeallthewayfromEnglandjusttoseetheworkingofthisgreatNationalmovement。\"
\"Idon’tknowwhereyou’regoingtofindthenationasmovestobeginwith，andthenyou’llbehardputtoittofindwhattheyaremovingabout。It’slikethis，sir，\"saidEdwards，whohadnotquiterelishedbeingcalled\"mygoodfriend。\"\"Theyhaven’tgotanygrievance——nothingtohitwith，don’tyousee，sir;andthenthere’snotmuchtohitagainst，becausetheGovernmentismorelikeakindofgeneralProvidence，directinganold——establishedstateofthings，thanthatathome，wherethere’ssomethingnewthrowndownforustofightabouteverythreemonths。\"
\"Youareprobably，inyourworkshops，fullofEng’ishmechanics，outofthewayoflearningwhatthemassesthink。\"
\"Idon’tknowsomuchaboutthat。TherearefourofusEnglishforemen，andbetweensevenandeighthundrednativefitters，smiths，carpenters，painters，andsuchlike。\"
\"AndtheyarefulloftheCongress，ofcourse？\"
\"Neverhearawordofitfromyear’sendtoyear’send，andIspeakthetalktoo。ButIwantedtoaskhowthingsaregoingonathome——oldTylerandBrownandtherest？\"
\"Wewillspeakofthempresently，butyouraccountoftheindifferenceofyourmensurprisesmealmostasmuchasyourown。Ifearyouareabacksliderfromthegoodolddoctrine，Edwards。\"Pagettspokeasonewhomournedthedeathofanearrelative。
\"Notabit，Sir，butIshouldbeifItookupwithaparcelofbaboos，pleaders，andschoolboys，asneverdidaday’sworkintheirlives，andcouldn’tiftheytried。AndifyouwastopollusEnglishrailwaymen，mechanics，tradespeople，andthelikeofthatallupanddownthecountryfromPeshawurtoCalcutta，youwouldfindusmostlyinataletogether。Andyetyouknowwe’rethesameEnglishyoupaysomerespecttoathomeat’lectiontime，andwehavethepullo’knowingsomethingaboutit。\"
\"Thisisverycurious，butyouwillletmecomeandseeyou，andperhapsyouwillkindlyshowmetherailwayworks，andwewilltalkthingsoveratleisure。Andaboutalloldfriendsandoldtimes，\"addedPagett，detectingwithquickinsightalookofdisappointmentinthemechanic’sface。
NoddingbrieflytoOrde，Edwardsmountedhisdog-cartanddroveoff。
\"It’sverydisappointing，\"saidtheMembertoOrde，who，whilehisfrienddiscoursedwithEdwards，hadbeenlookingoverabundleofsketchesdrawnongreypaperinpurpleink，broughttohimbyaChuprassee。
\"Don’tletittroubleyou，oldchap，\"’saidOrde，sympathetically。
\"Lookhereamoment，herearesomesketchesbythemanwhomadethecarvedwoodscreenyouadmiredsomuchinthedining-room，andwantedacopyof，andtheartisthimselfisheretoo。\"
\"Anative？\"saidPagett。
\"Ofcourse，\"wasthereply，\"BishenSiaghishisname，andhehastwobrotherstohelphim。Whenthereisanimportantjobtodo，thethreego’atopartnership，buttheyspendmostoftheirtimeandalltheirmoneyinlitigationoveraninheritance，andI’mafraidtheyaregettinginvolved，ThoroughbredSikhsoftheoldrock，obstinate，touchy，bigoted，andcunning，butgoodmenforallthat。
HereisBishenSingn-shallweaskhimabouttheCongress？\"
ButBishenSingh，whoapproachedwitharespectfulsalaam，hadneverheardofit，andhelistenedwithapuzzledfaceandobviouslyfeignedinteresttoOrde’saccountofitsaimsandobjects，finallyshakinghisvastwhiteturbanwithgreatsignificancewhenhelearnedthatitwaspromotedbycertampleadersnamedbyOrde，andbyeducatednatives。Hebeganwithlaboredrespecttoexplainhowhewasapoormanwithnoconcerninsuchmatters，whichwereallunderthecontrolofGod，butpresentlybrokeoutofUrduintofamiliarPunjabi，themeresoundofwhichhadarusticsmackofvillagesmoke-reekandplough-tail，ashedenouncedthewearersofwhitecoats，thejugglerswithwordswhofilchedhisfieldfromhim，themenwhosebackswereneverbowedinhonestwork;andpouredironicalscornontheBengali。HeandoneofhisbrothershadseenCalcutta，andbeingatworktherehadBengalicarpentersgiventothemasassistants。
\"Thosecarpenters！\"saidBishenSingh。\"Blackapesweremoreefficientworkmates，andasfortheBengalibabu-tchick！\"Thegutturalclickneedednointerpretation，butOrdetranslatedtherest，whilePagettgazedwithin……terestatthewood-carver。
\"HeseemstohaveamostilliberalprejudiceagainsttheBengali，\"
saidtheM。P。
\"Yes，it’sverysadthatforagesoutsideBengalthereshouldhesobitteraprejudice。Prideofrace，whichalsomeansrace-hatred，istheplagueandcurseofIndiaanditspreadsfar，\"pointedwithhisriding-whiptothelargemapofIndiaontheverandawall。
\"See！IbeginwiththeNorth，\"saidhe。\"There’stheAfghan，and，asahighlander，hedespisesallthedwellersinHindoostan-withtheexceptionoftheSikh，whomhehatesascordiallyastheSikhhateshim。TheHinduloathesSikhandAfghan，andtheRajput——that’salittlelowerdownacrossthisyellowblotofdesert——hasastrongobjection，toputitmildly，totheMarathawho，bytheway，poisonouslyhatestheAfghan。Let’sgoNorthaminute。TheSindhihateseverybodyI’vementioned。Verygood，we’lltakelesswarlikeraces。ThecultivatorofNorthernIndiadomineersoverthemaninthenextprovince，andtheBeharioftheNorthwestridiculestheBengali。Theyareallatoneonthatpoint。I’mgivingyoumerelytheroughestpossibleoutlinesofthefacts，ofcourse。\"
BishenSingh，hiscleancutnostrilsstillquivering，watchedthelargesweepofthewhipasittraveledfromthefrontier，throughSindh，thePunjabandRajputana，tillitrestedbythevalleyoftheJumna\"Hate——eternalandinextinguishablehate，\"concludedOrde，flickingthelashofthewhipacrossthelargemapfromEasttoWestashesatdown。\"RememberCanning’sadvicetoLordGranville，’NeverwriteorspeakofIndianthingswithoutlookingatamap。’\"
Pagettopenedhiseyes，Orderesumed。\"Andtherace-hatredisonlyapartofit。What’sreallythematterwithBisbenSinghisclass-hatred，which，unfortunately，isevenmoreintenseandmorewidelyspread。That’soneofthelittledrawbacksofcaste，whichsomeofyourrecentEnglishwritersfindanimpeccablesystem。\"
Thewood-carverwasgladtoberecalledtothebusinessofhiscraft，andhiseyesshoneashereceivedinstructionsforacarvedwoodendoorwayforPagett，whichhepromisedshouldbesplendidlyexecutedanddespatchedtoEnglandinsixmonths。Itisanirrelevantdetail，butinspiteofOrde’sreminders，fourteenmonthselapsedbeforetheworkwasfinished。Businessover，BishenSinghhungabout，reluctanttotakehisleave，andatlastjoininghishandsandapproachingOrdewithbatedbreathandwhisperinghum。bleness，saidhehadapetitiontomake。Orde’sfacesuddenlylostalltraceofexpression。\"Speakon，BishenSingh，\"saidhe，andthecarverinawhiningtoneexplainedthathiscaseagainsthisbrotherswasfixedforhearingb&foreanativejudgeand-herehedroppedhisvoicestilllowertidhewassummarilystoppedbyOrde，whosternlypointedtothegatewithanemphaticBegone！
BishenSingh，showingbutlittlesignofdiscomposure，salaamedrespectfullytothefriendsanddeparted。
Pagettlookedinquiry;Ordewithcompleterecoveryofhisusualurbanity，replied：\"It’snothing，onlytheoldstory，hewantshiscasetobetriedbyanEnglishjudge-theyalldothat-butwhenhebegantohintthattheothersidewereinimproperrelationswiththenativejudgeIhadtoshuthimup。GungaRam，themanhewantedtomakeinsinuationsabout，maynotbeverybright;buthe’sashonestasday-lightonthebench。Butthat’sjustwhatonecan’tgetanativetobelieve。\"
\"DoyoureallymeantosaythesepeopleprefertohavetheircasestriedbyEnglishjudges？\"
’Why，certainly。\"
Pagettdrewalongbreath。\"Ididn’tknowthatbefore。\"Atthispointaphaetonenteredthecompound，andOrderosewith\"Confoundit，there’soldRasulAhKhancometopayoneofhistiresomedutycalls。I’mafraidweshallnevergetthroughourlittleCongressdiscussion。\"
PagettwasanaimostsilentspectatorofthegraveformalitiesofavisitpaidbyapunctiliousoldMahommedangentlemantoanIndianofficial;andwasmuchimpressedbythedistinctionofmannerandfineappearanceoftheMohammedanlandholder。
Whentheexhangeofpolitebanalitiescametoapause，heexpressedawishtolearnthecourtlyvisitor’sopinionoftheNationalCongress。
Ordereluctantlyinterpreted，andwithasmilewhichevenMohammedanpolitenesscouldnotsavefrombitterscorn，RasulAhKhanintimatedthatheknewnothingaboutitandcaredstillless。ItwasakindoftalkencouragedbytheGovernmentforsomemysteriouspurposeofitsown，andforhisownparthewonderedandheldhispeace。
Pagettwasfarfromsatisfiedwiththis，andwishedtohavetheoldgentleman’sopinionontheproprietyofmanagingallIndianaffairsonthebasisofanelectivesystem。
Ordedidhisbesttoexplain，butitwasplainthevisitorwasboredandbewildered。Frankly，hedidn’tthinkmuchofcommittees;theyhadaMunicipalCommitteeatLahoreandhadelectedamenialservant，anorderly，asamember。Hehadbeeninformedofthisongoodauthority，andafterthat，committeeshadceasedtointeresthim。ButallwasaccordingtotheruleofGovernment，and，pleaseGod，itwasallforthebest。
\"Whatanoldfossilitis！\"criedPagett，asOrdereturnedfromseeinghisguesttothedoor;\"justlikesomeoldblue-bloodedhidalgoofSpain。WhatdoeshereallythinkoftheCongressafterall，andoftheelectivesystem？\"
\"Hatesitalllikepoison。Whenyouaresureofamajority，electionisafinesystem;butyoucanscarcelyexpecttheMahommedans，themastmasterfulandpowerfulminorityinthecountry，tocontemplatetheirownextinctionwithjoy。Theworstofitisthatheandhisco-religionists，whoaremany，andthelandedproprietors，also，ofHindurace，arefrightenedandputoutbythiselectiopbusinessandbytheimportancewehavebestowedonlawyers，pleaders，writers，andthelike，whohave，uptonow，beeninabjectsubmissiontothem。Theysaylittle，hutafteralltheyarethemostimportantfagotsinthegreatbundleofcommunities，andalltheglibbunkumintheworldwouldnotpayfortheirestrangement。Theyhavecontrolledtheland。\"
\"ButIamassuredthatexperienceoflocalself-governmentinyourmunicipalitieshasbeenmostsatisfactory，andwhenoncetheprincipleisacceptedinyourcentres，don’tyouknow，itisboundtospread，andtheseimportant——ah’mpeopleofyourswouldlearnitliketherest。Iseenodifficultyatall，\"andthesmoothlipsclosedwiththecomplacentsnaphabitualtoPagett，M。P。，the\"manofcheerfulyesterdaysandconfidentto-morrows。\"
Ordelookedathimwithadrearysmile。
\"Theprivilegeofelectionhasbeenmostreluctantlywithdrawnfromscoresofmunicipalities，othershavehadtobesummarilysuppressed，and，outsidethePresidencytowns，theactualworkdonehasbeenbadlyperformed。Thisisoflessmoment，perhaps-itonlysendsupthelocaldeath-rates-thanthefactthatthepublicinterestinmunicipalelections，neververystrong，haswaned，andiswaning，inspiteofcarefulnursingonthepartofGovernmentservants。\"
\"Canyouexplainthislackofinterest？\"saidPagett，puttingasidetherestofOrde’sremarks。
\"Youmayfindawardofthekeyinthefactthatonlyoneineverythousandafourpopulationcanspell。Thentheyareinfinitelymoreinterestedinreligionandcastequestionsthaninanysortofpolitics。Whenthebusinessofmereexistenceisover，theirmindsareoccupiedbyaseriesofinterests，pleasures，rituals，superstitions，andthelike，basedoncenturiesoftraditionandusage。You，perhaps，findithardtoconceiveofpeopleabsolutelydevoidofcuriosity，towhomthebook，thedailypaper，andtheprintedspeechareunknown，andyouwoulddescribetheirlifeasblank。That’saprofoundmistake。Youareinanotherland，anothercentury，downonthebed-rockofsociety，wherethefamilymerely，andnotthecommunity，isall-important。TheaverageOrientalcannotbebroughttolookbeyondhisclan。Hislife，too，isnaorecompleteandself-sufficing，andlesssordidandlow-thoughtedthanyoumightimagine。Itisbovineandslowinsomerespects，butitisneverempty。YouandI
areinclinedtoputthecartbeforethehorse，andtoforgetthatitisthemanthatiselemental，notthebook。
’Thecornandthecattleareallmycare，AndtherestisthewillofGod。’
Whyshouldsuchfolklookupfromtheirimmemoriallyappointedroundofdutyandintereststomeddlewiththeunknownandfusswithvoting-papers。Howwouldyou，atopofallyourinterestscaretoconductevenone-tenthofyourlifeaccordingtothemannersandcustomsofthePapuans，let’ssay？That’swhatitcomesto。\"
\"Butiftheywon’ttakethetroubletovote，whydoyouanticipatethatMohammedans，proprietors，andtherestwouldbecrushedbymajoritiesofthem？\"
AgainPagettdisregardedtheclosingsentence。
\"Because，thoughthelandholderswouldnotmoveafingeronanypurelypoliticalquestion，theycouldberaisedindangerousexcitementbyreligioushatreds。Alreadythefirstnoteofthishasbeensoundedbythepeoplewhoaretryingtogetupanagitationonthecow-killingquestion，andeveryyearthereistroubleovertheMohammedanMuharrumprocessions。
\"Butwholooksafterthepopularrights，beingthusunrepresented？\"
\"TheGovernmentofHcrMajestytheQueen，EmpressofIndia，inwhich，iftheCongresspromotersaretobebelieved，thepeoplehaveanimplicittrust;fortheCongresscircular，speciallypreparedforrusticcomprehension，saysthemovementis’fortheremissionoftax，theadvancementofHindnstan，andthestrengtheningoftheBritishGovemment。’Thispaperisheadedinlargeletters-
’MAVTHEPROSPEEITYOFTHEEMPIREOFINDIA
ENDURE。\"’
\"Really！\"saidPagett，\"thatshowssomecleverness。Buttherearethingsbetterworthimi’ationinourEnglishmethodsof-er-politicalstatementthanthissortofamiablefraud。\"
\"Anyhow，\"resumedOrde，\"youperceivethatnotawordissaidaboutelectionsandtheelectiveprinciple，andthereticenceoftheCongresspromotershereshowstheyarewiseintheirgeneration。\"
\"Buttheelectiveprinciplemusttriumphintheend，andthelittledifficultiesyouseemtoanticipatewouldgivewayontheintroductionofawell-balancedscheme，capableofindefiniteextension。\"
\"Butisitpossibletodeviseaschemewhich，alwaysassumingthatthepeopletookanyinterestinit，withoutenormousexpense，ruinousdislocationoftheadminist：ationanddangertothepublicpeace，cansatisfytheaspirationsofMr。Humeandhisfollowing，andyetsafeguardtheinterestsoftheMahommedans，thelandedandwealthyclasses，theConservativeHindus，theEurasians，Parsees，Sikhs，Rajputs，nativeChristians，domiciledEuropeansandothers，whoareeachimportantandpowerfulintheirway？\"
Pagett’sattention，however，wasdivertedtothegate，whereagroupofcultivatorsstoodinapparenthesitation。
\"HerearethetwelveApostles，hyJove-comestraightoutofRaffaele’scartoons，\"saidtheM。P。，withthefreshappreciationofanewcomer。
Orde，lothtobeinterrupted，turnedimpatientlytowardthevillagers，andtheirleader，handinghislongstafftooneofhiscompanions，advancedtothehouse。
\"ItisoldJelbo，theLumherdar，orhead-manofPindSharkot，andavery’intelligentmanforavillager。\"
TheJatfarmerhadremovedhisshoesandstoodsmilingontheedgeoftheveranda。Hisstronglymarkedfeaturesglowedwithrussetbronze，andhisbrighteyesgleamedunderdeeplysetbrows，contractedbylifelongexposuretosunshine。HisbeardandmoustachestreakedwithgreysweptfromboldcliffsofbrowandcheekinthelargesweepsoneseesdrawnbyMichaelAngelo，andstrandsoflongblackhairmingledwiththeirregularlypiledwreathsandfoldsofhisturban。Thedraperyofstoutbluecottoncloththrownoverhisbroadshouldersandgirtroundhisnarrowloins，hungfromhistallforminbroadlysculpturedfolds，andhewouldhavemadeasuperbmodelforanartistinsearchofapatriarch。
Ordegreetedhimcordially，andafterapolitepausethecountrymanstartedoffwithalongstorytoldwithimpressiveearnestness。Ordelistenedandsmiled，interruptingthespeakerat’timestoargueandreasonwithhiminatonewhichPagettcouldhearwaskindly，andfinallycheckingthefluxofwordswasabouttodismisshim，whenPagettsuggestedthatheshouldbeaskedabouttheNationalCongress。
ButJellochadneverheardofit。Hewasapoormanandsuchthings，bythefavorofhisHonor，didnotconcernhim。
\"What’sthematterwithyourbigfriendthathewassoterriblyinearnest？\"askedPagett，whenhehadleft。
\"Nothingmuch。Hewantsthebloodofthepeopleinthenextvillage，whohavehadsmallpoxandcattleplagueprettybadly，andbythehelpofawizard，acurrier，andseveralpigshavepasseditontohisownvillage。’Wantstoknowiftheycan’tberuninforthisawfulcrime。Itseemstheymadeadreadfulcharivariatthevillageboundary，threwaquantityofspell-bearingobjectsovertheborder，abuffalo’sskullandotherthings;thenbrandedachamur-whatyouwouldcallacurrier-onhishinderpartsanddrovehimandanumberofpigsoverintoJelIno’svillage。Jelbosayshecanbringevidencetoprovethatthewizarddirectingtheseproceedings，whoisaSansi，hasbeenguiltyoftheft，arson，rattle-killing，perjuryandmurder，butwouldprefertohavehimpunishedforbewitchingthemandinflictingsmall-pox。\"
\"Andhowonearthdidyouanswersuchalunatic？\"
\"LunaticItheoldfellowisassaneasyouorI;andhehassomegroundofcomplaintagainstthoseSansis。Iaskedifhewouldlikcanativesuperintendentofpolicewithsomementomakeinquiries，butheobjectedonthegroundsthepolicewereratherworsethansmallpoxandcriminaltribesputtogether。\"
\"Criminaltribes-er-Idon’tquiteunderstand，\"saidPaget~
\"WehaveinIndiamanytribesofpeoplewhointheslackanti-Britishdaysbecamerobbers，invariouskind。andpreye~onthepeople。Theyarebeingrestrainedandreclaimedlittlebylittle，andintimewillbecomeuseful;citizens，buttheystillcherishhereditarytraditionsofcrime，andareadifficultlottodealwith。
Bythewaywhat;aboutthepoliticalrightsofthesefolkunderyourschemes？Thecountrypeoplecallthemvermin，butIsup-posetheywouldbeelectorswiththerest。\"
\"Nonsense-specialprovisionwouldbemadefortheminawell-consideredelectoralscheme，andtheywoulddoubtlessbetreatedwithfittingseverity，\"saidPagett，withamagisterialair。
\"Severity，yes-butwhetheritwouldbefittingisdoubtful。Eventhosepoordevilshaverights，and，afterall，theyonlypracticewhattheyhavebeentaught。\"
\"Butcriminals，Ordel\"
\"Yes，criminalswithcodesandritualsofcrime，godsandgodlingsofcrime，andahundredsongsandsayingsinpraiseofit。
Puzzling，isn’tit？\"
\"It’ssimplydreadful。Theyoughttobeputdownatonce。Aretheremanyofthem？\"
\"Notmorethanaboutsixtythousandinthisprovince，formanyofthetrlbesbroadlydescribedascriminalarereallyvagabondandcrimlnalonlyonoccasion，whileothersarebeingsettledandreclaimed。Theyareofgreatantiquity，alegacyfromthepast，thegolden，gloriousAryanpastofMaxMuller，Birdwoodandtherestofyourspindriftphilosophers。\"
AnorderlybroughtacardtoOrdewhotookitwithamovementofirritationattheinterruption，andbandedittoPagett;alargecardwitharuledborderinredink，andinthecentreinschoolboycopperplate，Mr。DmaNath。\"Givesalaam，\"saidthecivilian，andthereenteredinhasteaslenderyouth，cladinacloselyfittingcoatofgreyhomespun，tighttrousers，patent-leathershoes，andasmallblackvelvetcap。Histhincheektwitched，andhiseyeswanderedrestlessly，fortheyoungmanwasevidentlynervousanduncomfortable，thoughstrivingtoassumeafreeandeasyair。
\"Yourhonormayperhapsrememberme，\"hesaidinEnglisb，andOrdescannedhimkeenly。
\"Iknowyourfacesomehow。YoubelongedtotheShershahdistrictIthink，whenIwasinchargethere？\"
\"Yes，Sir，myfatheriswriteratShershah，andyourhonorgavemeaprizewhenIwasfirstintheMiddleSchoolexaminationfiveyearsago。SincethenIhaveprosecutedmystudies，andIamnowsecondyear’sstudentintheMissionCollege。\"
\"Ofcourse：youareKedarNath’sson-theboywhosaidhelikedgeographybetterthanplayorsugarcakes，andIdidn’tbelieveyou。Howisyourfathergettingon？\"
\"Heiswell，andhesendshissalaam，buthiscircumstancesaredepressed，andbealsoisdownonhisluck。\"
\"YoulearnEnglishidiom\"。attheMissionCollege，itseems。\"
\"Yes，sir，theyarethebestidioms，andmyfatherorderedmetoaskyourhonortosayawordforhimtothepresentincumbentofyourhonor’sshoes，thelatchetofwhichheisnotworthytoopen，andwhoknowsnotJoseph;forthingsaredifferentatShershahnow，andmyfatherwantspromotion。\"
\"Yourfatherisagoodman，andIwilldowhatIcanforhim。\"
AtthispointatelegramwashandedtoOrde，who，afterglancingatit，saidhemustleavehisyoungfriendwhomheintroducedtoPagett，\"amemberoftheEnglishHouseofCommonswhowishestolearnaboutIndia。\"
OrdebadscarcelyretiredwithhistelegramwhenPagettbegan：
\"PerhapsyoucantellmesomethingoftheNationalCongressmovement？\"
\"Sir，itisthegreatestmovementofmoderntimes，andoneinwhichalledvcatedmenlikeusmustjoin。AllourstudentsarefortheCongress。\"
\"Excepting，Isuppose，Mahommedans，andtheChristians？\"saidPagett，quicktousehisrecentinstruction。
\"Thesearesomemereexceptionstotheuniversalrule。\"
\"ButthepeopleoutsidetheCollege，theworkingclasses，theagriculturists;yourfatherandmother，forinstance。\"
\"Mymother，\"saidtheyoungman，withavisibleefforttobringhimselftopronouncetheword，\"hasnoideas，andmyfatherisnotagriculturist，norworkingclass;heisoftheKayethcaste;buthehadnottheadvantageofacollegiateeducation，andhedoesnotknowmuchoftheCongress。Itisamovementfortheeducatedyoung-man\"-
connectingadjectiveandnouninasortofvocalhyphen。
\"Ah，yes，\"saidPagett，feelinghewasalittleofftherails，\"andwhatarethebenefitsyouexpecttogainbyit？\"
\"Oh，sir，everything。EnglandowesitsgreatnesstoParliamentaryinstitutions，andweshouldatoncegainthesamehighpositioninscaleofnations。Sir，wewishtohavethesciences，thearts，themanufactures，theindustrialfactories，withsteamengines，andothermotivepowersandpublicmeetings，anddebates。Alreadywehaveadebatingclubinconnectionwiththecollege，andelectaMr。Speaker。Sir，theprogressmustcome。YoualsoareaMemberofParliamentandworshipthegreatLordRipon，\"saidtheyouth，breathlessly，andhisblackeyesflashedashefinishedhiscommalesssentences。
\"Well，\"saidPagett，drily，\"ithasnotvetoccurredtometoworshiphisLord-ship，althoughIbelieveheisaveryworthyman，andIamnotsurethatEnglandowesquiteallthethingsyounametotheHouseofCommons。Yousee，myyoungfriend，thegrowthofanationlikeoursisslow，subjecttomanyinfluences，andifyouhavereadyourhistoryaright\"-\"Sir。Iknowitall-all！NormanConquest，MagnaCharta，Runnymede，Reformation，Tudors，Stuarts，Mr。MiltonandMr。Burke，andIhavereadsomethingofMr。HerbertSpencerandGibbon’s’DeclineandFall，’Reynolds’
MysteriesoftheCourt，’andPagettfeltlikeonewhohadpulledthestringofashower-bathunawares，andhastenedtostopthetorrentwithaqtlestionastowhatparticulargrievancesofthepeopleofIndiatheattentionofanelectedassemblyshouldbefirstdirected。ButyoungMr。DmaNathwasslowtoparticularize。
Thereweremany，verymanydemandingconsideration。Mr。
Pagettwouldliketohearofoneortwotypicalexamples。
TheRepealoftheArmsActwasatlastnamed，andthestudentlearnedforthefirsttimethatalicensewasnecessarybeforeanEnglishmancouldcarryaguninEngland。ThennativesofIndiaoughttobeallowedtobecomeVolunteerRiflemeniftheychose，andtheabsoluteequalityoftheOrientalwithhisEuropeanfellow-subjectincivilstatusshouldbeproclaimedonprinciple，andtheIndianArmyshouldbeconsiderablyreduced。Thestudentwasnot，however，preparedwithanswerstoMr。Pagett’smildestquestionsonthesepoints，andhereturnedtovaguegeneralities，leavingtheM。P。somuchimpressedwiththecrudityofhisviewsthathewasgladonOrde’sreturntosaygood-byetohis\"veryinteresting\"youngfriend。
\"WhatdoyouthinkofyoungIndia？\"askedOrde。
\"Curious，verycurious-andcallow。\"
\"Andyet，\"thecivilianreplied，\"onecanscarcelyhelpsympathizingwithhimforhismereyouth’ssake。TheyoungoratorsoftheOxfordUnionarrivedatthesameconclusionsandshoweddoubtlessjustthesameenthusiasm。IftherewereanypoliticalanalogybetweenIndiaandEngland，ifthethousandracesofthisEmpirewereone，iftherewereanychanceevenoftheirlearningtospeakonelanguage，if，inshort，IndiawereaUtopiaofthedebating-room，andnotarealland，thiskindoftalkmightbeworthlisteningto，butitisallbasedonfalseanalogyandignoranceofthefacts。\"
\"Butheisanativeandknowsthefacts。\"
\"HeisasortofEnglishschoolboy，butmarriedthreeyears，andthefatheroftwoweaklings，andknowslessthanmostEnglishschoolboys。Yousawallheisandknows，andsuchideasashehasacquiredaredirectlyhostiletothemostcherishedconvictionsofthevastmajorityofthepeople。\"
\"Butwhatdoeshemeanbysayingheisastudentofamissioncollege？IsheaChristian？\"
\"Hemeantjustwhathesaid，andheisnotaChristian，noreverwillhebe。GoodpeopleinAmerica，ScotlandandEngland，mostofwhomwouldneverdreamofcollegiateeducationfortheirownsons，arepinchingthemselvestobestowitinpurewasteonIndianyouths。Theirschemeisanoblique，subterraneanattackonheathenism;thetheorybeingthatwiththejamofseculareducation，leadingtoaUniversitydegree，thepillofmoralorreligiousinstructionmayhecoaxeddowntheheathengullet。\"
\"Butdoesitsucceed;dotheymakeconverts？\"
\"Theymakenoconverts，forthesubtleOrientalswallowsthejamandrejectsthepill;butthemereexampleofthesober，righteous，andgodlylivesoftheprincipalsandprofessorswhoaremostexcellentanddevotedmen，musthaveacertainmoralvalue。Yet，asLordLansdownepointedouttheotherday，themarketisdangerouslyoverstockedwithgraduatesofourUniversitieswholookforemploymentintheadministration。Animmensenumberareemployed，butyearbyyearthecollegemillsgrindoutincreasinglistsofyouthsforedoomedtofailureanddisappointment，andmeanwhile，trade。manufactures。andtheindustrialartsareneglected，andinfactregardedwithcontemptbyournewliterarymandarinsinposse。\"
\"Butouryoungfriendsaidhewantedsteam-enginesandfactories，\"saidPagett。
\"Yes，hewouldliketodirectsuchconcerns。Hewantstobeginatthetop，formanuallaborisheldtobediscreditable，andhewouldneverdefilehishandsbytheapprenticeshipwhichthearchitects，engineers，andmanufacturersofEnglandcheerfullyundergo;andhewouldbeaghasttolearnthattheleadingnamesofindustrialenterpriseinEnglandbelongedagenerationortwosince，ornowbelong，tomenwhowroughtwiththeirownhands。And，thoughhetalksgliblyofmanufacturers，herefusestoseethattheIndianmanufacturerofthefuturewillbethedespisedworkmanofthepresent。Itwasproposed，forexample，afewweeksago，thatacertainmunicipalityinthisprovinceshouldestablishanelementarytechnicalschoolforthesonsofworkmen。ThestressoftheoppositiontotheplancamefromapleaderwhoowedallhehadtoacollegeeducationbestowedonhimgratisbyGovernmentandmissions。YouwouldhavefanciedsomefineoldcrustedTorysquireofthelastgenerationwasspeaking。’Thesepeople，’hesaid，’wantnoeducation，fortheylearntheirtradesfromtheirfathers，andtoteachaworkman’ssontheelementsofmathematicsandphysicalsciencewouldgivehimideasabovehisbusiness。Theymustbekeptintheirplace，anditwasidletoimaginethattherewasanyscienceinwoodorironwork。’Andhecarriedhispoint。
ButtheIndianworkmanwillriseinthesocialscaleinspiteofthenewliterarycaste。\"
\"InEnglandwehavescarcelybeguntorealizethatthereisanindustrialclassinthiscountry，yet，Isuppose，theexampleofmen，likeEdwardsforinstance，musttell，\"saidPagett，thoughtfully。
\"Thatyoushouldn’tknowmuchaboutitisnaturalenough，fortherearebutfewsourcesofinformation。Indiainthis，asinotherrespects，islikeabadlykeptledger-notwrittenuptodate。AndmenlikeEdwardsare，inreality，missionaries，whobypreceptandexampleareteachingmorelessonsthantheyknow。Onlyafew，however，oftheircrowdsofsubordinatesseemtocaretotrytoemulatethem，andaimatindividualadvancement;therestdropintotheancientIndiancastegr（’ove。\"
\"Howdoyoumean？\"askedhe，\"Well，itisfoundthatthenewrailwayandfactoryworkmen，thefitter，thesmith，theengine-driver，andtherestarealreadyformingseparatehereditarycastes。YoumaynoticethisdownatJamalpurinBengal，oneoftheoldestrailwaycentres;andatotherplaces，andinotherindustries，theyarefollowingthesameinexorableIndianlaw。\"
\"Whichmeans？\"queriedPagett。
\"Itmeansthattherootedhabitofthepeopleistogatherinsmallself-contained，self-sufficingfamilygroupswithnothoughtorcareforanyinterestsbuttheirown-ahabitwhichisscarcelycompatiblewiththerightacceptationoftheelectiveprinciple。\"
\"Yetyoumustadmit，Orde，thatthoughouryoungfriendwasnotabletoexpoundtbefaiththatisinhim，yourIndianarmyistoobig。\"
\"Notnearlybigenoughforitsmainpurpose。And，asasideissue，therearecertainpowerfulminoritiesoffightingfolkwhoseinterestsanAsiaticGovernmentisboundtoconsider。ArmsisasmuchameansoflivelihoodascivilemployunderGovernmentandlaw。AnditwouldbeaheavystrainonBritishbayonetstoholddownSikhs，Jats，Bilochis，Rohillas，Rajputs，Bhils，Dogras，Pahtans，andGurkbastoabidebythedecisionsofanumericalmajorityopposedtotheirinterests。Leavethe’numericalmajority’
toitselfwithouttheBritishbayonets-aflockofsheepmightasreasonablyhopetomanageatroopofcollies。\"
\"ThiscomplaintaboutexcessivegrowthofthearmyisakintoanothercontentionoftheCongressparty。TheyprotestagainstthemalversationofthewholeofthemoneysraisedbyadditionaltaxesasaFamineInsuranceFundtootherpurposes。YoumustbeawarethatthisspecialFamineFundhasallbeenspentonfrontierroadsanddefencesandstrategicrailwayschemesasaprotectionagainstRussia。\"
\"Buttherewasneveraspecialfaminefundraisedbyspecialtaxationandputbyasinabox。Nosaneadministratorwoulddreamofsuchathing。Inatimeofprosperityafinanceminister，rejoicinginamargin，proposedtoannuallyapplyamillionandahalftotheconstructionofrailwaysandcanalsfortheprotectionofdistrictsliabletoscarcity，andtothereductionoftheannualloansforpublicworks。Buttimeswerenotalwaysprosperous，andthefinanceministerhadtochoosewhetherbewouldbanguptheinsuranceschemeforayearorimposefreshtaxation。Whenafarmerhasn’tgotthelittlesurplushehopedtohaveforbuyinganewwagonanddrainingalow-lyingfieldcorner，youdon’taccusehimofmalversation，ifhespendswhathehasonthenecessaryworkoftherestofhisfarm。\"
Aclatterofhoofswasheard，andOrdelookedupwithvexation，buthisbrowclearedasahorsemanhaltedundertheporch。
\"HelIn，Orde！justlookedintoaskifyouarecomingtopoloonTuesday：wewantyoubadlytohelptocrumpleuptheKrabBokbarteam。\"
OrdeexplainedthathehadtogooutintotheDistrict，andwhilethevisitorcomplainedthatthoughgoodmenwouldn’tplay，dufferswerealwayskeen，andthathissidewouldprobalnybebeaten，Pagettrosetolookathismount，ared，latheredBilochmare，withacuriouslyre-likeincurvingoftheears。\"Quitealittlethoroughbredinallotherrespects，\"saidtheM。P。，andOrdepresentedMr。ReginaldBurke，ManageroftheSiadandSialkoteBanktohisfriend。
\"Yes，she’sasgoodastheymake’em，andshe’sallthefemaleI
possessandspoiledinconsequence，aren’tyou，oldgirl？\"saidBurke，pattingthemare’sglossyneckasshebackedandplunged。
\"Mr。Pagett，\"saidOrde，\"hasbeenaskingmeabouttheCongress。
Whatisyouropinion？\"BurketurnedtotheM。P。withafranksmile。
\"Well，ifit’sallthesametoyou，sir，Ishouldsay，DamntheCongress，butthenI’mnopolitician，butonlyabusinessman。\"
\"Youfinditatiresomesubject？\"
\"Yes，it’sallthat，andworsethanthat，forthiskindofagitationisanythingbutwholesomeforthecountry。\"
\"Howdoyoumean？\"
\"Itwouldbealongjobtoexplain，andSaraherewon’tstand，butyouknowhowsensitivecapitalis，andhowtimidinvestorsare。
Allthissortofrotislikelytofrightenthem，andwecan’taffordtofrightenthem。ThepassengersaboardanOceansteamerdon’tfeelreassuredwhentheship’swayisstopped，andtheyheartheworkmen’shammerstinkeringattheenginesdownbelow。TheoldArk’sgoingonallrightassheis，andonlywantsquietandroomtomove。Them’smysentiments，andthoseofsomeotherpeoplewhohavetodowithmoneyandbusiness。\"
\"Thenyouareathick-and-thinsupporteroftheGovernmentasitis。\"
\"Why，no！TheIndianGovernmentismuchtootimidwithitsmoney-likeanoldmaidenauntofmine-alwaysinafunkaboutherinvestments。Theydon’tspendhalfenoughonrailwaysforinstance，andtheyareslowinageneralway，andoughttobemadetositupinallthatconcernstheencouragementofprivateenterprise，andcoaxingoutintousethemillionsofcapitalthatliedormantinthecountry。\"
Themarewasdancingwithimpatience，andBurkewasevidentlyanxioustobeoff，sothemenwishedhimgood-bye。
\"WhoisyourgenialfriendwhocondemnsbothCongressandGovernmentinabreath？\"askedPagett，withanamusedsmile。
\"JustnowheisReggieBurke，keeneronpolothanonanythingelse，butifyougototheSindandSialkoteBankto-morrowyouwouldfindMr。ReginaldBurkeaverycapablemanofbusiness，knownandlikedbyanimmenseconstituencyNorthandSouthofthis。\"
\"DoyouthinkheisrightabouttheGovernment’swantofenterpnse？\"
\"Ishouldhesitatetosay。BetterconsultthemerchantsandchambersofcommerceinCawnpore，Madras，Bombay，andCalcutta。Butthoughthesebodieswouldlike，asReggieputsit，tomakeGovernmentsitup，itisanelementaryconsiderationingoverningacountrylikeIndia，whichmustbeadministeredforthebenefitofthepeopleatlarge，thatthecounselsofthosewhoresorttoitforthesakeofmakingmoneyshouldbejudiciouslyweighedandnotallowedtooverpowertherest。Theyarewelcomeguestshere，asamatterofcourse，butithasbeenfoundbesttorestraintheirinfluence。Thustherightsofplantationlaborers，factoryoperatives，andthelike，havebeenprotected，andthecapitalist，eagertogeton，hasnotalwaysregardedGovernmentactionwithfavor。Itisquiteconceivablethatunderanelectivesystemthecommercialcommunitiesofthegreattownsmightfindmeanstosecuremajoritiesonlaborquestionsandonfinancialmatters。\"
\"Theywouldactatleastwithintelligenceandconsideration。\"
\"Intelligence，yes;butastoconsideration，whoatthepresentmomentmostbitterlyresentsthetendersolicitudeofLancashireforthewelfareandprotectionoftheIndianfactoryoperative？
Englishandnativecapitalistsrunningcottonmillsandfactories。\"
\"ButisthesolicitudeofLancashireinthismatterentirelydisinterested？\"
\"Itisnobusinessofminetosay。ImerelyindicateanexampleofhowapowerfulcommercialinterestmighthamperaGovernmentintentinthefirstplaceonthelargerinterestsofhumanity。\"
Ordebrokeofftolistenamoment。\"There’sDr。Lathroptalkingtomywifeinthedrawing-room，\"saidhe。
\"Surelynot;that’salady’svoice，andifmyearsdon’tdeceiveme，anAmerican。\"
\"Exactly，Dr。EvaMcCreeryLathrop，chiefofthenewWomen’sHospitalhere，andaverygoodfellowforbye。Good-morning，Doctor，\"hesaid，asagracefulfigurecameoutontheveranda，\"youseemtobeintrouble。IhopeMrs。Ordewasabletohelpyou。\"
\"Yourwifeisrealkindandgood，]alwayscometoherwhenI’minafixbutIfearit’smorethancomfortingIwant。\"
\"Youworktoohardandwearyourselfout，\"saidOrde，kindly。
\"Letmeintroducemyfriend，Mr。Pagett，justfreshfromhome，andanxioustolearnhisIndia。Youcouldtellhimsomethingofthatmoreimportanthalfofwhichameremanknowssolittle。\"
\"PerhapsIcouldifI’danyhearttodoit，butI’mintrouble，I’velostacase，acasethatwasdoingwell，throughnothingintheworldbutinattentiononthepartofanurseIhadbeguntotrust。AndwhenIspokeonlyasmallpieceofmymindshecollapsedinawhiningheaponthefloor。Itishopeless。\"
Themenweresilent，fortheblueeyesoftheladydoctorweredim。
Recoveringherselfshelookedupwithasmile，halfsad，halfhumorous，\"AndIaminawhiningheap，too;butwhatphaseofIndianlifeareyouparticularlyinterestedin，sir？\"
\"Mr。Pagettintendstostudythepoliticalaspectofthingsandthepossibilityofbestowingelectoralinstitutionsonthepeople。\"
\"Wouldn’titbeasmuchtothepurposetobestowpoint-lacecollarsonthem？Theyneedmanythingsmoreurgentlythanvotes。Whyit’slikegivingabread-pillforabrokenleg。\"
\"Er-Idon’tquitefollow，\"saidPagett，uneasily。
\"Well，what’sthematterwiththiscountryisnotintheleastpolitical，butanallroundentanglementofphysical，social，andmoralevilsandcorruptions，allmoreorlessduetotheunnaturaltreatmentofwomen。Youcan’tgatherfigsfromthistles，andsolongasthesystemofinfantmarriage，theprohibitionoftheremarriageofwidows，thelifelongimprisonmentofwivesandmothersinaworsethanpenalconfinement，andthewithholdingfromthemofanykindofeducationortreatmentasrationalbeingscontinues，thecountrycan’tadvanceastep。Halfofitismorallydead，andworsethandead，andthat’sjustthehalffromwhichwehavearighttolookforthebestimpulses。It’srightherewherethetroubleis，andnotinanypoliticalconsiderationswhatsoever。\"
\"Butdotheymarrysoearly？\"saidPagett，vaguely。
\"Theaverageageisseven，butthousandsaremarriedstillearlier。
Oneresultisthatgirlsoftwelveandthirteenhavetobeartheburdenofwifehoodandmotherhood，and，asmightbeexpected，therateofmortalitybothformothersandchildrenisterrible。
Pauperism，domesticunhappiness，andalowstateofhealthareonlyafewoftheconsequencesofthis。Then，when，asfrequentlyhappens，theboy-husbanddiesprematurely，hiswidowiscondemnedtoworsethandeath。Shemaynotre-marry，mustliveasecludedanddespisedlife，alifesounnaturalthatshesometimespreferssuicide;moreoftenshegoesastray。Youdon’tknowinEnglandwhatsuchwordsas’infant-marriage，baby-wife，girl-mother，andvirgin-widow’mean;buttheymeanunspeakablehorrorshere。\"
\"Well，buttheadvancedpoliticalpartyherewillsurelymakeittheirbusinesstoadvocatesocialreformsaswellaspoliticalones，\"
saidPagett。
\"Verysurelytheywilldonosuchthing，\"saidtheladydoctor，emphatically。\"IwishIcouldmakeyouunderstand。Why，evenofthefundsdevotedtotheMarchionessofDufferin’sorganizationformedicalaidtothewomenofIndia，itwassaidinprintandinspeech，thattheywouldbebetterspentonmorecollegescholarshipsformen。Andinalltheadvancedparties’talk-Godforgivethem——andinalltheirprogrammes，theycarefullyavoidallsuchsubjects。Theywilltalkabouttheprotectionofthecow，forthat’sanancientsuperstition——theycanallunderstandthat;buttheprotectionofthewomenisanewanddangerousidea。\"SheturnedtoPagettimpulsively：
\"YouareamemberoftheEnglishParliament。Canyoudonothing？Thefoundationsoftheirlifearerotten-utterlyandbestiallyrotten。IcouldtellyourwifethingsthatIcouldn’ttellyou。Iknowthelife——theinnerlifethatbelongstothenative，andI
knownothingelse;andbelievemeyoumightaswelltrytogrowgolden-rodinamushroom-pitastomakeanythingofapeoplethatarebornandrearedasthese——thesethings’re。Thementalkoftheirrightsandprivileges。Ihaveseenthewomenthatbeartheseverymen，andagain-mayGodforgivethemen！\"
Pagett’seyesopenedwithalargewonder。Dr。Lathroprosetempestuously。
\"Imustbeofftolecture，\"saidshe，\"andI’msorrythatIcan’tshowyoumyhospitals;butyouhadbetterbelieve，sir，thatit’smorenecessaryforIndiathanalltheelectionsincreation。\"
\"That’sawomanwithamission，andnomistake，\"saidPagett，afterapause。
\"Yes;shebelievesinherwork，andsodoI，\"saidOrde。\"I’veanotionthatintheenditwillbefoundthatthemosthelpfulworkdoneforIndiainthisgenerationwaswroughtbyLadyDufferinindrawingattention-whatworkthatwas，bytheway，evenwithherhusband’sgreatnametobackittotheneedsofwomenhere。Ineffect，nativehabitsandbeliefsareanorganizedconspiracyagainstthelawsofhealthandhappylife——butthereissomedawningofhopenow。\"
\"Howd’youaccountforthegeneralindifferencc，then？\"
\"Isupposeit’sdueinparttotheirfatalismandtheirutterindifferencetoallhumansuffering。HowmuchdoyouimaginethegreatprovinceofthePun-jabwithovertwentymillionpeopleandhalfascorerichtownshascontributedtothemaintenanceofcivildispensarieslastyear？Aboutseventhousandrupees。\"
\"That’ssevenhundredpounds，\"saidPagett，quickly。
\"Iwishitwas，\"repliedOrde;\"butanyway，it’sanabsurdlyinadequatesum，andshowsoneoftheblanksidesofOrientalcharacter。\"
Pagettwassilentforalongtime。Thequestionofdirectandpersonalpaindidnotliewithinhisresearches。Hepreferredtodiscusstheweightiermattersofthelaw，andcontentedhimselfwithmurmuring：\"They’lldobetterlateron。\"Then，witharush，returningtohisfirstthought：
\"But，mydearOrde，ifit’smerelyaclassmovementofalocalandtemporarycharacter，howd’youaccountforBradlaugh，whoisatleastamanofsensetakingitup？\"
\"IknownothingofthechampionoftheNewBrahminsbutwhatI
seeinthepapers。Isupposethereissomethingtemptinginbeinghailedbyalargeassemblageastherepresentativeoftheaspirationsoftwohundredandfiftymillionsofpeople。Suchamanlooks’throughalltheroaringandthewreaths，’anddoesnotreflectthatitisafalseperspective，which，asamatteroffact，hidestherealcomplexandmanifoldIndiafromhisgaze。Hecanscarcelybeexpectedtodistinguishbetweentheambitionsofanewoligarchyandtherealwantsofthepeopleofwhomheknowsnothing。Butit’sstrangethataprofessedRadicalshouldcometobethechosenadvocateofamovementwhichhasforitsaimtherevivalofanancienttyranny。ShowshowevenRadicalismcanfallintoacademicgroovesandmisstheessentialtruthsofitsowncreed。Believeme，Pagett，todealwithIndiayouwantfirst-handknowledgeandexperience。Iwishhewouldcomeandlivehereforacoupleofyearsorso。\"
\"Isnotthisratheranadhminemstyleofargument？\"
\"Can’thelpitinacaselikethis。Indeed，Iamnotsureyououghtnottogofurtherandweighthewholecharacterandqualityandupbringingoftheman。YoumustadmitthatthemonumentalcomplacencywithwhichhetrottedouthisingeniouslittleConstitutionforIndiashowedastrangewantofimaginationandthesenseofhumor。\"
\"No，Idon’tquiteadmitit，\"saidPagett。
\"Well，youknowhimandIdon’t，butthat’showitstrikesastranger。\"Heturnedonhisheelandpacedtheverandathoughtfully。\"And，afterall，theburdenoftheactual，dailyunromantictoilfallsontheshouldersofthemenouthere，andnotonhisown。Heenjoysalltheprivilegesofrecommendationwithoutresponsibility，andwe-well，perhaps，whenyou’veseenalittlemoreofIndiayou’llunderstand。Tobeginwith，ourdeathrate’sfivetimeshigherthanyours-Ispeaknowforthebrutalbureaucrat——andweworkontherefuseofworked-outcitiesandexhaustedcivilizations，amongthebonesofthedead。\"
Pagettlaughed。\"That’sanepigrammaticwayofputtingit，Orde。\"
\"Isit？Let’ssee，\"saidtheDeputyCommissionerofAmara，stridingintothesunshinetowardahalf-nakedgardenerpottingroses。Hetooktheman’shoe，andwenttoarain-scarpedbankatthebottomofthegarden。
\"Comehere，Pagett，\"hesaid，andcutatthesun-bakedsoil。AfterthreestrokesthererolledfromunderthebladeofthehoethehalfofaclankingskeletonthatsettledatPagett’sfeetinanunseemlyjumbleofbones。TheM。P。drewback。
\"Ourhousesarebuiltoncemeteries，\"saidOrde。\"Therearescoresofthousandsofgraveswithintenmiles。\"
Pagettwascontemplatingtheskullwiththeawedfascinationofamanwhohasbutlittletodowiththedead。\"India’saverycuriousplace，\"saidhe，afterapause。
\"Ah？You’llknowallaboutitinthreemonths。Comeintolunch，\"
saidOrde。
