human
This slave was not mistaken, sahib. The young man did his errand with a dexterity that would have deceived many, but not the humble one who watches over the interests of the Presence. The question came as though unpremeditated, as he had expected, and in accordance with the will of the Presence, he gave a true answer, saying that on the first appearance of the strangers on the horizon your honour cried out, 'Behold, some great one cometh! It is in my mind that the Rajah Partab Singh and his son are about to visit the camp.' And very great was the wonder of the young man that your honour could so well have hoodwinked his master.
gpt
O Somwar Mal, you are a spoil-sport! cried Gerrard.
human
Do you not see that all the hospitality I showed to the Rajah--all my faithfulness to my guests--now goes for nothing?
gpt
Nay, sahib, the meanest of men may not fail in hospitality--it is a duty incumbent upon all; but the power of foreseeing events is a direct gift from Heaven, and will move the Rajah to desire greatly the linking of his fortunes with your honour's. There is also another small matter in which this slave has to-night done what he could to add a stone to the pillar of your honour's prosperity.
human
I wish you had asked me first. But let me know what obligations you have undertaken for me.
gpt
The youth, the son of shame, dared to inquire in confidence what were the weaknesses of the Protector of the Poor!
human
And of course you swore that I had none?
gpt
Alas, sahib! your honour bade me tell him the truth.
human
You are right, Munshi-ji. Truth is great, and shall prevail. And which of my hidden faults have you discovered to the eyes of the world?
gpt
Sahib, your honour's credit is safe in the hands of your slave. He bade the youth name one after the other such things as have brought to ruin many wise men, and then assured him that not one of all these had ever touched your honour. But of that one thing which he has observed----
human
This becomes interesting, said Gerrard.
gpt
Speak.
human
Nay, sahib, it is for this slave to lay the hand of respect upon the mouth of discretion.
gpt
Not when the mouth of command issues an order. Say on.
human
If it is an order, sahib----? An inexorable nod answered him, and he went on.
gpt
Sahib, it has sometimes seemed to the humblest of your servants, who asks forgiveness for presuming to raise his eyes above your feet, that your honour was more occupied in seeking the right way to do a thing than in doing at once what required doing.
human
Lack of decision? I see, and you told the youth this?
gpt
I, sahib? I told him that the besetting sin of the Protector of the Poor was a hasty judgment in sometimes acting without thought!
human
Oh, go away, you old humbug!
gpt
Whether it is due to Soomwar Mull's original notions of truth, or to old Pertaub Sing's own favourable impressions, it seems to be certain that I have _made a conquest_! he wrote to Charteris the next evening.
human
I have given up attempting to unravel the Rajah's motives in visiting me incog., and will only hint that if I were told the whole thing was _got up_ with a view to burking the momentous question who should pay the first call I should not be surprised. Do you _twig_? Pertaub Sing has visited my camp, which is one to me; but the visit was not official, and that's one to him. In any case, I thought I should be carrying out Antony's wishes if I paid an official visit to-day, which I did, and was entertained regardless of expense, garlands, ottar, _paun_ and all. The old boy is a _regular brick_, for--now grow green with envy--he has invited me to go a-hunting with him to-morrow. Hawking, he said--by the way, what would not a certain lady give to be a spectator of that most chivalrous of sports?--but oh, my beloved Bob, there's a _jheel_ which I strongly suspect to be the intended scene of our exploits, and if there ain't pig there, call me a Dutchman. Conceive my feelings. If we sight pig, will it be my duty to turn delicately away, with a pained expression of countenance, or would it be better style to affect to have seen nothing whatever? Or will there, will there be spears in reserve, and the chance of some glorious fun? After all, my boy, envy me not till you hear how the day ends.