"You were too sick to think of caste any longer, I imagine."
"Indeed, I was! I let him do with me as he would; and I was grateful, more grateful than I can express. He rubbed my wounds with some soothing ointment and staunched the blood; for I was bleeding a good deal. Then he gave me a draught with opium in it. It deadened the pain and made me drowsy and indifferent to all that was happening to me."
"Good man! worthy of the name of Christian though he is only a heathen," commented Alderbury with warm approval.
Dorama did not take the same view.
"Husband, did you really accept the services of the sweeper?" she asked, her wondering eyes lifted to his with concern for his welfare.
"Yes, my lotus flower, I did; and I owe him my life. I should have died of exhaustion and starvation if I had been left untended all that night and the following day."
"What happened next?" asked Alderbury as Ananda showed a disposition to end his tale there.
"Before I continue my story I must ask you to keep my secret. I have given a promise that it is to be told to no one but yourself; and I pray you to respect our confidence."
"'Our confidence'?"
"Mine and Mrs. Hulver's."