Carlyon Sahib Part 2

Then, all the more, why go to Bhojal?

ADENE.

Well, you see, it is history rather than philology that I have in mind for the moment.

VERA.

Not the history of Bhojal?

ADENE.

The history of the Indian Frontier--from the native's point of view!

VERA.

Do you mean an account of the various small wars?

ADENE.

Well, chiefly all that came before the wars; the intrigues, and the motives----

VERA.

Isn't it all in the Blue Books?

ADENE.

Of course, but the point is---- [_Pauses with a smile._

VERA.

Don't be afraid!

ADENE.

If you take the Blue Books, the natives always seem to be in the first place treacherous criminals----

VERA.

Which savages often are.

ADENE.

And also insanely blind to their own interests; which even savages are not! [VERA _laughs as if beaten_.] I know the English mind already; I want to get inside the Bhojali mind.

VERA.

It is like the programme of a Baboo Protection Society. I hope the officials will like it.

ADENE.

I have thought of that. But I know too much of India to be even suspected of thinking ill of the officials. And Sir David's recommendation will soften them.

VERA.

"Please give bearer every facility for attacking the reputation of my late colleagues;" is that it?

ADENE.

[_Rising._] I don't want to attack any one! Of course there may be cases. If I met an actual instance of foul play on our part----

VERA.

[_Mockingly._] "Foul play!" It is to be as bad as that?

ADENE.

I suppose even Englishmen have occasionally done wrong?

VERA.

And you go there expecting to find crimes committed by English officers?

ADENE.

In some cases, I am afraid--or if not crimes----

VERA.

How considerate of you to begin with Bhojal!

ADENE.

[_Sitting, in amused impatience._] Oh, let us start fair again! I begin with Bhojal because a certain Sir David Carlyon was the Political Agent there, a gentleman who was afterwards Chief Commissioner of the province of Rajpoor.

VERA.

Don't be ironical!

ADENE.

Everybody who has heard of India has heard of his marvellous power of governing; also, everybody knows that if ever there was a war forced upon us against our will, it was the war of the annexation of Bhojal.

VERA.

And then?

ADENE.