under the cover of the palm trees. The man was indeed young by appearance. He did not wear a beard or a moustache. His hairs were rather black and his eyes rather dark for an Englishman. He was very gaudily dressed, and there was indeed a good exhibition of chain, ring and other like decorations.
He slowly came up to the ghat, and drawing near the water, said, "I come again, fair lady."
Shaibalini. I don't understand your jargon.
Foster. Oh-ay that nasty gibberish—I must speak it, I suppose. Ham again ayahaya (I come again).
Shaibalini. Why? Is this the way to Yama's* gate?
The Englishman failing to understand her asked, "Keya bolta haya?" (What do you say, lady?)
Shaibalini. I say, has Yama forgotten you?
Foster. Yama! John you mean? I am not John, I am Lawrence.
Shaibalini. It is good after all, I have learnt an English word.—Lawrence means monkey.
In that late hour of the evening, Lawrence Foster thus ridiculed by Shaibalini returned to his own place.
25
