"I suppose all this comes from the big house?" he enquired addressing the butler,--a despotic old person, who for some unexplained reason, would not suffer Anthony to wait, and had set Chinna-Sawmy to wash the kitchen dish-cloths! "Yes, saar, that is the order--everything in Wellunga is as the General commands; this bungalow is kept ready and in good repair; the old places of course are ruins--but no one may touch one bit of wood, or one brick--though many wanting them for house, and cattle sheds; and plenty good dhoby stones, and curry stones, in _cemetery_--but once he goes--_all_ goes!" "Including yourself?" "Yes, your honour, I also depart to my own country--Quilon." "I saw a young lady to-day, and a young man, who are they?" "Miss Tara and Mr. Tom, the General's son and daughter." Mallender put down his fork, and stared at the speaker in genuine surprise. "Oh, yes. Miss Jessie, she is older; the General married two times, first family all gone Europe--he never going, too much liking this country, his people calling him always--all no use. His wife die, then he marry one English woman, not proper family; but taking great care of old man. He still getting big pension," he added with a significance that was entirely wasted on his listener. "The General, has all he wants; now he sits hours in big verandah looking at India, and always thinking, thinking, then he go for drive, then put to bed, same like child. He has his senses, he can walk, and see, only too old, and a little deaf." "Why does he live at Wellunga?" "That I cannot surely tell; but when young officer he was here with regiment. I have seen him get out of carriage at Mess House, and go in, and sit there, long, long, time. When he come out, he look shaking and plenty sorry, because all, all gone, everyone--and he only is left." "And do his family remain always, in this dead place?" "Oh, no, Master Tom has fine big coffee estate on Hills, and the Missies go there, when here it is too hot. The General is very rich, he shut eyes to Europe family--only liking Indian family." "Perhaps he has forgotten the others?" suggested Mallender. "Oh, no, memory good, not to-day, but for long ago; nothing he do not know, nothing he cannot tell, he got plenty medals and plenty fighting. The old gentleman keeps fine horses, and many syces and peons, same like as if _real_ General, and station full; but inside bungalow, is as the Missus pleases, and no show, no spending. Counting eggs, and gram, and charcoal, same like sergeant's wife!" "Well, I believe I shall be leaving you to-morrow," said the visitor. "I suppose I can get hold of some sort of tonga in the bazaar. Tell my boy to bring my writing things." When Anthony had placed these on the table, he coughed significantly, and said: "_This_ place no use for master, and master soon, soon going,--but first must see the General. He is old, and knows much."