"Thank you very much; I will pay for my tea," and promptly produced the necessary coin.
"No one carries money in India," explained Major Gale; "we all go on tick or borrow, as you'll soon find out. Just arrived?"
"Yes," assented the lady. The "yes" was like a hailstone.
"From England?"
"Yes." Another hailstone.
"I'm afraid you'll find Manora a bit slow! Eh? We are having our sports on the twentieth. I hope you all come in. Eh——?"
Verona set down her cup and glanced interrogatively at her father. She was anxious to depart.
"Oh, no use asking him," resumed the other, with a jocular air. "He buries himself alive. Lots of people don't know of his existence; awful mistake to cut the Service and take to sugar—eh, Chandos?"
"It suits me all right," he answered in a quick, troubled voice. Then as an afterthought:
"I will give your invitation to my wife, thank you. Now, Verona, if you are ready?"