“What is ‘inside him’?” said Ali, whom these mysteries of the English tongue somewhat puzzled. “Do you mean what he has had to eat?”
“No, no;” said Bob, laughing. “I mean his heart.”
“Show people his heart?” said Ali, thoughtfully. “Oh yes, I see; I understand. You mean he is cold outside, and proud, and does not show people what he really thinks—like a Malay?”
“Yes, that’s what I mean,” said Bob, smiling. “But that’s like a Malay, is it? They say one thing, and mean another, do they?”
“Yes,” said Ali, gravely—“to their enemies—to the people who try to cheat, and deceive them. To their real friends they are very true, and full of faith. But it is time now that I should go.”
“I say, though, stop a minute,” said Bob sharply. “Are your people really good friends to us?”
“Yes,” said the visitor, “I hope so. I believe so. They are strange at first, and do not like English ways, like I. Afterwards they will do the same as I do. Good-bye.”
“But about our shooting?” said Bob. “May I bring Tom Long?”
“I should like to know En-sign Long. He is very brave, is he not?”
“Pretty bobbish, I believe,” said the middy.