I doubt if anywhere on the globe the same number of people could have been found making up a community, as in my villages, who were more industrious, honest, truthful, grateful and virtuous than were these people. They were not allured by ambition to be something above their lot. They had not learned anything of the follies, fashions, intrigues, deceptions, seductions and vices of the civilized Christian world. Their natures had never been distorted and deformed by coming in contact with civilized society. I often doubt if so much education and knowledge is not more of a curse than a blessing. Eve got to knowing too much, and Adam followed her, and their knowledge has made liars and seducers for us ever since. I doubt, no I know it, that it would have been utterly impossible for any leading man in either of the villages to have conceived, planned, and accomplished such a villainous crime as that of the distinguished Christian Commissioner Sahib. They could not, and would not have done it, for their high moral, or high animal sense, if you like it better, would have revolted at it. The highest sense of chastity is in brutes, and the very lowest in the upper classes of human society. I am a liar if this is not true. But what is the use of talking? I sometimes went to the club, as I did not like to exclude myself from all mankind. There were many newcomers, who looked askance at me. To some of them I was introduced, and they proved to be very pleasant and agreeable companions, for though I have had my grievances, and may be a little cynical at times, yet I would not have it understood, that I think all people are bad, or that there may not be some people, even of the “upper classes,” and in every grade of society who are good and trying to do good. Yet, I was not comfortable. The general company was not to my taste. The conversation was usually horsey or vicious among the men, or made up of gossip and slander among the women. Frequently on going home, I tried to recall some idea, some information that I had acquired, but there was absolutely nothing worth carrying home. One evening, as I approached a company, I was introduced to several, but one quickly and deliberately turned his back upon me. A friend told me later on, that he was one of the new magistrates, who had just come to the station, and that he gave as his reason for snubbing me, that he had a preference in his acquaintance, and did not care to know that “Eurasian.” I recalled him as the downy youth, who had made a similar remark when I was at the engineering college, and further that he was a son of the Commissioner of Jalalpur. Worthy scion of a noble sire! I concluded that the game was not worth the candle, so I paid up all my dues and withdrew from the club, for my own good, and probably to the satisfaction of Mr. Smith and others.