“She bears beautiful children,” he said with a thoughtful smile, as he handed it back. “Put it back again where it was. See that you do not wake her,” he commanded.
As the ayah closed the door, he repeated softly, cruelly too, “She bears beautiful children.”
He rose and rang a bell.
Watkins came—but not at once.
“Well?” the Raja demanded, speaking in English, “do they sleep?”
“Like hornets on the war-path, Your ’Ighness.”
Rukh laughed.
“Good!” he said. “Has the Major asked for liquor?”
“For nothink, Your ’Ighness. Neither of ’em ’as asked for nothink.”
“Remember not to stint them, if they do,” the Raja ordered. “Make them perfectly comfortable—especially the Major. I rather like the Major, Watkins. That is all.”