“Without doubt that will make a _sen_sation,” Mohendra said, handing back the proof. “With_out_ doubt! You can have much more the courage of your opinion in the vernacular. English—that iss a_noth_er thing. I wrote myséêlf, last week, some issmall criticism on the Chairman of the Municipality, maybe half a column—about that new drain in Colootollah which we must put our hand in our pocket. Yesterda-ay I met the Chairman on the Red Road, and he takes no notiss off my face! That was _not_ pleasant. To-day I am writing on issecond thoughts we cannot live without drainage, and I will send him marked copy. But in that way it iss troublesome, the English.” “These Europeans they have no eye-shame. They are entirely made of wood. But I think this Notification will be a nice kettle of fish! Has the Committee got isspeakers for the mass meeting on the Maidan?” Mohendra nodded complacently. “Already it is being arranged. For a month I have known every word spoken by His Honour on this thing. I have the _best_ information. Every week I am watching the _Gazette_. The morning of publication _ekdum_[B] goes telegram to our good friend in Parliament. Agitation in England, agitation in India! Either will come another Royal Commission to upset the thing, or the Lieutenant-Governor is forced to _re_tire.” ----- Footnote B: In one breath. ----- Mohendra’s nods became oracular. Then his expression grew seriously regretful. “Myséêlf I hope they will—what iss it in English?—_w’itewass_ him with a commission. It goes against me to see disgrace on a high official. It is _not_ pleasant. He means well—he _means_ well. And at heart he is a very good fellow—personally I have had much agreeable conversation with him. Always he has asked me to his garden-parties.” “He has set fire to his own beard, brother,” said the editor of the _Word of Truth_ in the vernacular, spitting. “Very true—oh, very true! And all the more we must attack him because I see the reptile English press, in Calcutta, in Bombay, in Allahabad, they are upholding this dacoity. That iss the only word—dacoity.” Mohendra rose. “And we two have both off us the best occasion to fight,” he added beamingly, as he took his departure, “for did we not graduate hand in hand that same year out off Calcutta University?” * * * * * “God knows, Ancram, I believe it is the right thing to do!”