“What does that matter? She is an excellent woman, most kind and motherly—everybody’s friend.”
“But what will I do there?”
“My dear, how can I say? What do other ladies do? Engage in useful and elegant feminine occupations, I presume. You will be able to show me the results——”
“But d’ye mean you won’t be there?”
“How could I? My work keeps me here. But I shall—er—hope to pay you a visit—perhaps more than one——”
“Major Ambrose,” tragically, “will you never under stand that I didn’t marry you and come to India to be poked away in other people’s bungalows like a bit of old furniture? Why, if ’twas only to torment you——”
“It don’t occur to you, my dear, that I might desire a little respite? That’s a joke!” he added hurriedly.
“You may well say so! Are y’ not ashamed of yourself?”
“I admit I ought to be. Here I suggest going to considerable trouble, and some expense, to establish you in comfort away from this place, where no European female could exist when the hot weather is at its height, and you receive it as an insult. What more can I say?” He rose.
Eveleen was after him in a moment, twisting him round to face her. “Ah, now, don’t you know that when you speak to me like that you can turn my heart in your fingers? Sure I’m the most reasonable being in the world if you’ll only remember to consult me before making these grand arrangements of yours instead of after!”