"The great heat of the day doubtless caused the mem-sahib to forget the order she gave to her servant."
Never argue with a native of India, because educated or not he will invariably, and with the utmost courtesy, make you feel at the end of the argument that, if not a born, you are at least an excellent temporary liar.
"Did your parents have you taught your remarkable English?"
"The mem-sahib is too kind to inquire."
In India you do not show curiosity about your servants' private affairs or their families, it is not expected, it is not understood; and at the silence which followed the answer Leonie, feeling herself rebuked, rose from the table, and walked out on to the verandah to hide the colour which swept her face from chin to brow.
In the middle of the night, when suddenly and unaccountably aroused from a restless doze, she spoke sharply as her eyes rested on a white figure prone upon the floor in the reflected light of the moon.
"Bearer!"
Her voice was indignant, and the man with one movement rose to his feet and salaamed.
"What do you mean by sleeping in my room?"
Dear heaven, how he loved her as she sat like an image of wrath behind the mosquito net with the sheet pulled up to her neck.