Letters from India Volume II/To Blank 4
, I must thank you myself (how do I know Fanny is to be trusted with thanks?) for your extreme kindness in sending me those two pretty muslins. It was so like you. I am still more pleased with the gowns. They came in such a nohow, unexpected sort of way, that is particularly pleasant at this distance from home. I hope, by a strict adherence to that wretched fashion of tight sleeves, to be able to spare enough of each pattern for a new douillette for that little darling whom you always remember with so much affection—that little angel Chance.
His servant informs me that he wants two new coats; he has one of Chinese brocade, with a gold breastplate, which was presented to him last year; but that he can only wear when he goes to visit the King of Oude’s or the King of Lucknow’s dogs. For his days of common Pariah audiences I should think a coloured muslin must be correct.
I was shocked the other day by hearing that his servant, Jimmund, had given him warning on going up the country. At first I thought Chance had grown into the European custom of striking his servants, as his dear little temper is not entirely without its imperfections; still I thought him too much of a gentleman to give way to such an abominable practice. So I made no enquiries, but begged another servant might be engaged for the march. Then the whole story turned out to be a mistake. Jimmund came into my room with Chance under his arm, his hands clasped, and he vociferating a great many of those odd sounds the natives are so good as to call their language. My jemadar stood by, translating it literally, and I thought it very pretty. ‘He say no such bad thought enter the head of Ladyship’s servant; his enemies say it for him. He say Chance is the child of his house, and good luck has come to his house with him. He say it is his duty to take care of any dog of Ladyship’s, but he love Chance with his heart. And he say Ladyship is his father and mother, and may do what she like with him, but he likes to keep the dog.’
Major B says that that is a very literal translation, and I thought immediately that you would like to hear such an oration in favour of Chance, and that you would not for an instant imagine that the extra rupees Jimmund receives for his care of him could influence him in the slightest degree.
In a few days we depart on our travels; I expect they will be very amusing. And now many thanks.