"That's right. Don't you forget that I'm your mother. I would like to get your enemy on his bended knees and make him pray for forgiveness for knocking you about like this--a man twice your age, too! Shame on him! But, there! as William--that was my third--said when the sergeant locked him up, thinking he was the worse for liquor when he wasn't: 'Apologies make poor plaster.' The sergeant was a bit hasty and he knew William's ways and leanings. But he was wrong that time. William wasn't drunk; he was dazed with the sun; and the sergeant apologised handsomely." That evening Wenaston once more interviewed his housekeeper. "You showed the man who called this afternoon over your rooms, I hope, Mrs. Hulver?" "Yes, sir; I took him all round and let him see everything; he was quite satisfied that the person he wanted wasn't here. He didn't mention any names." "He was looking for his nephew, Ananda, the young man who has become a Christian. He has disappeared, and it was thought that he might have taken refuge with us." "I don't know why he should do that when he has Mr. Alderbury to go to," remarked Mrs. Hulver indifferently. "If by any chance he should appear you must let me know at once." "Would you refuse to give him shelter?" asked Mrs. Hulver, looking at the Doctor with some curiosity. As he did not reply at once she continued: "I should if I were you, sir, if you will excuse my speaking out. There's no telling how these natives might take it if you befriended him in any way." "I shouldn't drive him away if he needed protection, Mrs. Hulver," said Wenaston. "You must understand that as a Christian he has my warmest sympathy; and that as far as I am able I will do what I can for him; but as I pointed out to you before, I am not a free agent in this matter. If he asks for assistance I will give it by sending him off at once to Mr. Alderbury, who is willing to help. What I must not do is to give him shelter in the college buildings or in the house, much as I might wish. We have tried that experiment once and it was a complete failure. Therefore I ask you to come to me immediately if Mr. Ananda should present himself." "Very good, sir. I don't think he is likely to turn up after the way those boys treated him. I'm sure I have my hands full enough with young William without bothering about Mr. Ananda's troubles. As William--that was my third--used to say: 'Keep your eyes on your own road and don't worry about the pitfalls of other people.' You may depend upon me for doing the right thing and not decomposing either you or Miss Eola." CHAPTER XXI