"Go and ask Nanukchund if he thinks the 'fau' has really been heard," Mrs. Gidley said to Dick, who obeyed immediately, and presently returned to his parents reassured upon that point, for Nanukchund had told him the Mem Sahib need not fear. He believed it was only idle gossip about the "fau" having been heard in the district.
"How should you like to go to England, Dick?" Captain Gidley asked suddenly.
"Oh, very much, father! It's lovely in England, isn't it?" the boy asked, looking at his mother, who was fond of talking to him of the land of her birth.
"Yes, dear," she answered quietly, "one can breathe there. The regiment will very likely be ordered home next year, will it not, Richard?" she enquired of her husband.
"Very likely," he replied.
"What fun it will be!" Dick exclaimed gleefully. "Shan't we be busy beforehand packing up! It's jolly on board ship, isn't it?"
"Yes," Captain Gidley assented, "a sea voyage in a good ship is rather a pleasant experience. You ought to go to bed now, Dick; it's past your usual time. Don't dream about the man-eater, though!"
"No," the boy replied with a laugh, "I'll try not to! His skin has made a splendid rug, hasn't it, father? Mrs. Blair said the other day it was the finest tiger-skin she had ever seen! Must I really go to bed? Well, then, good-night!" and he kissed his parents affectionately. "I must go and say good-night to Nanukchund," he added.
They watched him as he exchanged a few words with the Hindoo; then, nodding gaily to them, he disappeared through the doorway leading to his bedroom.
"He is in fine spirits to-night," Captain Gidley said gravely, "but I am not blind to the fact that he daily grows thinner and paler; and several people have remarked it to me lately. The boy is pining, Margaret, and I know you see it as plainly as I do. I have been thinking that we must really send him to England. Mrs. Blair told me to-day that she would be very pleased to undertake the charge of him on the voyage. There is no chance of our returning home till next year, and we run a great risk of losing our boy altogether if we keep him here much longer."