Harold fondly stroked the small clasped hands which rested so confidingly on his knee.
“I do so want to be a help to you—never a hindrance. Do you not think that missionaries’ wives, as well as their husbands, should have the missionary spirit?”
“So strongly do I feel it, my love, that I should think a worker for God a traitor to the good cause if he united himself to one in whom such a spirit is wanting.”
“Ah, you think better of your poor little wifie than does Master Robin,” said Alicia. “He copied out for me a song all about the duties of Mission Miss Sahibas. So, like a dutiful little sister, I learned it by heart, and set it to a capital old tune. Would you like to hear it? I wish that my piano were here; but it has been sent on with the heavy luggage.”
“Your voice needs no accompaniment, my love,” said Harold; “the nightingale requires no piano.”
Alicia smiled and began, in a very musical tone, a song set to the air of “The Fine Old English Gentleman.” After the first stanza Harold’s manly voice joined in the chorus, as he beat time with his foot.
MISSION RULES AND REGULATIONS.
The Mission Miss Sahibas must never complain;
The Mission Miss Sahibas must temper restrain
When sust [lazy] pankahwalas won’t pull at the cane;