Dr. Taylor paused.
"He is calling down the blessing of the one true God upon your head, now and for all eternity," he answered slowly, and there was a sort of hush in his voice.
Sonny baba's eyes grew suspiciously moist, but he shook his head dutifully. "How--how sad," he began.
"Very sad that you can't understand what he says," interrupted Dr. Taylor curtly, "because as I've only just time to catch my train I must be off. Salaam, Akâli sahib!"
Dhurm Singh, standing to salute, detained the doctor for a minute with eager questioning.
"What is it?" asked Sonny baba again. "What is it he wants to know?"
Dr. Taylor gave a short laugh. "He wants to know who the General's papa and mamma were, because he isn't a gentleman. You needn't stare so, my dear fellow. That is the first thing they find out about an Englishman, and it needs a lot of grit and go in a man to get over the initial drawback. Well, good-bye, and if you will take my advice, come up north, see the people, learn their language, and appreciate their lives before you try to change them. And look here! don't go taking an Akâli about in a religious procession with drums and banners. It isn't safe, especially if you are going to Bengal."
"Why Bengal more than other places?"
"Accustomed to lick them, that's all--hereditary instinct. Well, good-bye again, and take my advice and come north. The old swash-buckler might be of some use to you there. He'll be in the way down country."