"The great one knows that this is not the doing of this worm. The big mistress commanded it, and this slave could not do otherwise. The master's brother himself held the stick over my shoulders, and when I protested he let it fall. See, even by the dim light of the lamp how my skin is striped." Ananda strode out past him into the night. "Follow me; I have something to say." He walked away from the building, keeping, however, within the compound, which was walled in and private. When they were at a sufficient distance to be secure from eavesdropping and observation Ananda spoke. "Tell me! who is it that gives orders? Is it my father?" "The honourable master gives no orders. He sits silent in the front room without speaking." "It is my mother, then?" The pariah wagged his head in assent. "It is the big mistress aided by the excellency's brother. He tells her what to say and she repeats his words to one of the kitchen women who delivers the orders to me. I said to the kitchen woman that this was not my work. I am paid to sweep round the house and carry away the refuse. His honour's brother heard me and came towards me with his stick raised. I was frightened and obeyed." "Did you tell them that I broke the waterpot?" The pariah again made a sign in the affirmative. "What did they say?" "The kitchen woman told me that the small master laughed, and the big mistress said 'It is well.'" "And his excellency? How did he receive the news?" "He bowed his head and hid his face in his hands. 'It is hard on the boy,' she heard him say, 'and there is no necessity.' My lord, I have orders to go to-morrow morning early for the coffee and rice cakes apportioned to your honour. What can I do? My lord must eat or he will be sick. I am but a slave with no choice but to obey." He put his hands together as though he prayed forgiveness. Ananda paused before replying. "Do as you are told," he said at last; and he spoke more gently to the unfortunate outcaste than he had done before. "I can give the food to the crows. They are not troubled with caste scruples," he added bitterly. "But the young master must not starve," said the pariah, with real concern. "My lord must forgive his worthless servant for speaking. This worm has a plan by which the master shall not starve. To-morrow before it is light I will bring a herdsman with his cow and he shall draw the milk and deliver it into your honour's hand. There are shops in the town where food may be bought in tins. It is well known that people of all castes eat European biscuits in peace without defilement if they open the tins themselves. The master shall buy and open for himself. I will bring charcoal so that the milk may be warmed by your excellency and all will be well." "Good; let it be so," replied Ananda.