"I am not afraid of a soldier. If he is violent his colonel will have him punished," said Sooba, as he swaggered boldly up to the door of Mrs. Hulver's room.
It stood open; apparently she had had notice of what she might expect, for he found himself confronted by the ample figure of the wrathful woman, who understood even better than her employers the great liberty that was being taken. She glared at him with as much fire as her grey eyes were capable of showing, and pretended not to know who he was nor what he wanted.
"Who are you, and what business have you got in my back verandah?" she asked unceremoniously, making use of the vernacular in such terms as she would have addressed one of the gardeners. "I've got nothing for you."
Sooba returned an angry glance. He understood the insult, but had no means of making her smart for it.
"I have come by permission of the master of the house, the honourable Principal of the College, to look for a relative who is lost," he replied, with as much dignity as he could muster to his aid.
"Do you suppose I have him in my pocket?"
"No, woman; but I have reason to believe that he is hiding somewhere on these premises, and I will not leave until I have thoroughly searched them."
"Search away, then, and be quick about it. See for yourself who is here. I am not going to help you if you can't take my word for it."
She turned her back on him and moved into the middle of the room. As he did not follow immediately she called impatiently over her shoulder.
"Come along! Don't stand there all the evening. What are you waiting for?"