He poured the chicken broth through a strainer into a cup and handed it to her.
"That's all right, Ramachetty," she said with approval, as she leaned over it. "That's the kind of stuff that will make my boy well. You can go. Shut the door after you. I don't wish my son to catch cold. Tell the sweeper woman to sit outside the bathroom. I shall want her later on to boil the kettle for fresh poultices."
CHAPTER XX
On the afternoon of the same day Wenaston and his sister were at tea in the verandah when a carriage drove up and stopped just beyond the portico. Out of it stepped Sooba, Pantulu's brother. He was unknown to the Principal, who took him for the parent of one of his pupils. Wenaston rose at once, always courteous, although at times a little stiff until he was certain that no favours were going to be asked. Too often the visiting parent, after beating about the bush, would beg the Principal to promote his son in the school without due justification. Sometimes a bribe was offered. It required a great deal of patience and self-control to deal with such people; and it was still more difficult to persuade them that promotion by favour did not advance the education of a boy but rather hindered it.
"You want to see me on business?" asked Wenaston, advancing to meet his visitor. "Come in; I am disengaged for ten minutes, which is all I can give you. At the end of that time I have an appointment in the college."
"I have called to ask you a favour, sir," said Sooba, in his best manner.
"You are the parent of one of my pupils?"
"I am sorry to have to admit the fact that I have no son. It is about my nephew, Pantulu Iyer's son, Ananda, that I have come. You engaged him as a master a short time ago. He stayed only one day."
"Ah! now I understand. I can't take him on the staff again, if that is what you have come to ask."