'You may well exclaim. I consider that the responsibilities of a rajah's wealth are nothing to mine. Fortunately they are as good as gold, and then, you know, I am not like a griff: I know the ropes, and can make them pretty comfortable. That new bungalow of mine at Meerut will be in first-rate order by this, and I mean to send them up to Nainee Tal in the heats. Well, I must really be trotting. I am carver, you know, and I shall be scolded as it is. Come and see my wife and the girls when you are a little resigned and can talk it over calmly.' He was talking when he crossed the verandah, and when he left off talking he whistled a lively air and then sang lustily an old barrack-song of his juvenile days, which brought him to his own garden gate. He had no sooner opened it than he was fallen upon by a troop of girls with light garments and flowing hair. He flourished his cane and made a feint of trying to escape, but they took the cane from him, wound their arms about him and held him fast. Then, as they moved forward in a troop towards the house, drawing him on with them, they all began to chatter together. 'You're not at all a good strategist, dad,' said one. 'We heard you a mile off.' 'And we have been waiting about an hour,' from another. 'Supper's on the table; and I'm as hungry--as hungry--as a bear,' from a third. 'Oh! never mind Trixy,' cried a fourth silvery voice, 'she's always hungry. Tell us about _them_.' 'Weren't they frightfully surprised?' 'They must have thought you an angel for going in to see them at once.' 'But how did they look? What did they say?' 'Has Tom put on any airs yet?' This last was from Miss Trixy. 'Girls! girls!' from the highest of the golden heads, 'how is it possible for dad to answer you if you all speak at once? Come in, father----' 'No, dear, don't! Stay with us; we're quite as fond of you as Grace.' 'And as fond of gossip, you cupboard-love young women! Come, clear off, Grace and all. There's not a pin to choose between you.' He spoke in what was known as his voice of thunder--a voice which had often made a thousand dusky warriors quake; but these mischievous girls only chattered the more rapidly, and clustered round him the more persistently. 'Where is your mother?' said the General. 'In the dining-room,' said Trixy, 'sitting like patience on a monument, waiting for you.' 'Hear, dear! Am I so very late? I suppose I did forget the time a little. Well, never mind. Here we are! Mother, my dear,' stooping to kiss the forehead of a pretty elderly lady who was sitting in an armchair by a little wood fire, stitching at white work and smiling placidly, 'you must excuse me. I am afraid I am late.'