"The victoria only holds two—so I came alone. Let me carry your wrap and bag."
"Is it far to Manora?" she inquired.
"About four miles."
"Because I am so thirsty. May I have a glass of water?"
"Water—no!" he rejoined with unexpected decision; "But come along and have a cup of tea. I ought to have thought of it before; you must be choked with dust. I've got out of the way of—of——" The remainder of the sentence was inaudible, as he opened the door into a lofty, white-washed room, where several men were lounging at a long refreshment bar.
Verona received an impression of quantities of bananas and buns; swarms of flies and staring faces. As she stood sipping some hot weak tea, from a very thick cup, a dapper little man, with a shiny face and prominent blue eyes, approached and accosted her father in an off-hand manner.
"Hullo, Chandos! I've never seen you here before. What has brought you out of your shell?" he asked with an air of lofty condescension.
Mr. Chandos looked momentarily embarrassed, and then replied, rather formally:
"How do you do, Major Gale. I came to meet my daughter."
"Your daughter!" and in the echo there was a note of incredulity, bordering on derision, but the little officer accepted the half introduction and bowed profoundly as he said: