THE WORLD WITHOUT.
"Certain people of importance."
SCENE.—Smoking Room of the Degchi Club. Time, 10·30 p.m. of a stuffy night in the Rains. Four men dispersed in picturesque attitudes and easy chairs. To these enter Blayne of the Irregular Moguls, in evening dress.
Blayne.—Phew! The Judge ought to be hanged in his own store-godown. Hi, boy! Strong whiskey-peg, to take the taste out of my mouth.
Curtiss (Royal Artillery).—That's it, is it? What the deuce made you dine at the Judge's? You know his cookery.
Blayne.—'Thought it couldn't be worse than the Club; but I'll swear he buys ullaged liquor and doctors it with gin and ink (looking round the room). Is this all of you to-night?
Doone (P.W.D.).—Anthony was called out at dinner. Mingle had a pain in his tummy.
Curtiss.—Miggy dies of cholera once a week in the Rains, and gets drunk on chlorodyne in between. 'Good little chap, though. Any one at the Judge's, Blayne?
Blayne.—Cockley and his wife, looking awfully white and fagged. Female girl—couldn't catch the name—on her way to the Hills, under the Cockleys' charge—the Judge, and Markyn fresh from Simla—disgustingly fit.
Curtiss.—Good Lord, how truly magnificent! Was there enough ice? When I mangled garbage there I got one whole lump—nearly as big as a walnut. What had Markyn to say for himself?
Blayne.—'Seems that every one is having a fairly good time up there, in spite of the rain. By Jove, that reminds me! I know I hadn't come across just for the pleasure of your society. News! Great news! Markyn told me.
