"There is plenty of room inside," said Alderbury, pushing cushions and rug into some order. Bopaul went to the side of the road where his sister stood and said a few words in a low tone. She did not reply, but made a movement of the head showing that she understood his directions. Then he took her by the hand and led her to the car. "Get in, little sister. You will be quite safe with the missionary; and if you are not happy with him, ask him to write and tell me so. I will come myself and fetch you back, but I know you will not want to come back; you will find your happiness there; not here." "It is understood by your family that she will probably become a Christian if she remains with us," said Alderbury who was a little puzzled by Bopaul's manner. "She is at liberty to do as she pleases. Of one thing I can assure you; I can answer for her willingness to work at anything that will help to earn her keep." "And her name?" "I call her Mayita; but she will probably prefer to be called by some other name when she enters the mission," replied Bopaul with another smile. "She has no luggage of any kind, no bundle of clothes?" "Widows own nothing. They are deprived of every possession in the world. Even their hair is taken from them," her brother answered. During this conversation Mayita sat silent with her head bent and the saree veiling her face. Suddenly the cloth was pushed backwards and she leaned towards Bopaul both hands extended. "Brother, may the gods reward you for your goodness to the poor widow!" "Good-bye little sister. Take heart and be brave. Now go, sir, and believe me that all will be well." The car glided forward and left Bopaul standing there. He watched it until nothing was visible but the cloud of soft dust that hung like smoke in the warm air of the afternoon. Then he turned round and set off at a steady pace homewards. Again the characteristic smile appeared and he murmured to himself: "In the name of friendship; not in the name of religion!" CHAPTER XXVII Alderbury addressed a few words to his companion in the language of the country and received monosyllabic replies which gave him no encouragement to persevere in his efforts at making conversation or to extract information. He concluded that she was a shy and frightened member of a zenana where very little liberty was allowed. It would all come right in time; she would lose the shy self-consciousness with education.