PARIS 15
causing. She no can cook my curry like my old
wife, sahib. Therefore I plenty glad now going see
my former wife, London town.'
' Very jvell, Mhadhurah. I have promised you a
present if you do proper good work for me. Did
you change your sovereigns when I told you ? How
many shillings did you get ?'
' Twelve sovereigns, sahib; I done get four hundred
shillings.'
' Very well. Soon as you get to England you
change back again ; you get twenty sovereigns.'
' That good business, sahib,' said Mhadhurah, with
kindling eyes.
' Now, Mhadhurah, you understand what English
gentlemen call a " tenner " ?'
' Yes, sahib, I know plenty well, sahib. Formerly
same like one hundred rupees—now same like one
hundred sixty-six rupees.'
' Right, Mhadhurah. You have been a very good
servant. Here is fine present. Ek, do, theen, char,
panche, five tenners, fifty pounds.'
Then a scene occurred which was certainly a first
performance of its kind at the Gare St. Lazare.
Mhadhurah dropped on his knees, and with reverence
lowered his head, until he several times rubbed his
forehead in the dust. He then slowly rose, but re¬
mained with the head bowed down, his hands held
before him in the attitude of prayer. Tears rolled
down his cheeks while in a choking voice he said :
* Sahib, you are my Providence, my Swamie, my
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