sudden interest in her domestic arrangements. She considered the matter for a few moments. In days gone by she and her husband had existed happily on twenty-five rupees a month and had brought up a family upon it. She looked at the handsome cavalry officer as he waited for her answer. Twenty-five rupees a month would be nothing to him, and it was more than she could make by begging. She replied with a world of commiseration in her tone that she thought that she might manage to 'push along' one of the expressions learned from the early settlers on twenty five rupees a month.
The hat was sent round. Not only was the sum promised, but additional rupees were subscribed to purchase an outfit and a few bits of furniture for the old lady. A small but comfortable house was taken at six rupees a month, and the chaplain was asked to disburse the odd nineteen on behalf of the officers of the 21st. One condition was attached to the charity : Mrs. Brewer was to promise faithfully to abstain from all begging.
The plan answered admirably for six months. At the commencement of the seventh Mrs. Brewer arrived at the chaplain's quarters, and he tendered her the usual nineteen rupees. No eager hand was extended to receive the money. On the contrary, she shook her head in a dispirited manner and whined in mournful tones :
'Sir, I cannot take it.'
'Can't take it? What do you mean?' cried the astounded chaplain. Never in the course of his experience in India had he known a Eurasian of her class to refuse money.
'I cannot take it ; it is too dull for me.'
'Too dull ? ' he repeated, more bewildered than ever.
'Yes, sir ; if I take this money I cannot beg. When I go out walking I have nothing to do and nowhere to go. I have no other amusement, and my life without it
