It is good to hear Jane—who for many years has been accustomed to having her own way in all household matters—ordering breakfast.
“Well, Sabz Ali—what shall we have for breakfast to-morrow?”
“Jessa mem-sahib arder!”—with a friendly grin.
“Then I shall have kidneys.”’
“No kidney, mem-sahib! Kidney plenty money—two annas six pice ek. Oh, plenty dear!”
“I’m tired of eggs. Is there any cold chicken you could grill?”
“Chota murghi one egg lay, mem-sahib, anda poach. Sahib, chicken grill laike!”
“Oh, all right! But I thought of a mutton-chop for the major sahib.”
“Muttony stup” (mutton’s tough). “Sahib no laike!”
“Very well, that will do—a poached egg for me and grilled chicken for the sahib.”