"But I don't want any explanations, thank you. Come children, we must go."
"Meg, listen ... surely you have some little feeling of kindness towards me ... after all that happened...."
He put his hand on Meg's arm to detain her, and William, who had never been known to show enmity to human creature, gave a deep growl and bristled. A growl so ominous and threatening that Meg hastily loosed the pram and caught him by the collar with both hands.
Tony saw that Meg was flustered and uncomfortable. "Why does he not go?" he asked. "I thought he was a sahib, but I suppose he is
the gharri-wallah. We have thanked him—does he want backsheesh? Give him a rupee."
"He does want backsheesh," the deep, musical voice went on—"a little pity, a little common kindness."
It was an embarrassing situation. William was straining at his collar and growling like an incipient thunderstorm.
"We have thanked you," Tony said again with dignity. "We have no money, or we would reward you. If you like to call at the house, Auntie Jan always has money."
The man smiled pleasantly at Tony.
"Thank you, young man. You have told me exactly what I wanted to know. So you are with your friends?"