Carlyon Sahib Part 3

Then, I want to begin my studies with the best possible instance.

VERA.

[_After fidgeting for a moment._] Well, it makes me somewhat impatient.

Suppose you do discover that in the summer of 1820 an English major threw a bootjack at his syce?

ADENE.

Forcing an unjust war on a weak tribe is a different thing from misdirecting a bootjack.

VERA.

How are you to know the war was unjust? The people who made it had full knowledge. You come to judge them with very imperfect knowledge; and you appeal to the public, which has no knowledge at all!

ADENE.

[_Shaking his head._] When I write a book there is no danger of its appealing to the public.

VERA.

That is s.h.i.+rking! Besides, _I_ am the public and it _did_ appeal to me.

ADENE.

Let Sir David deal with me! He did more for the natives than I am likely to ask.

VERA.

Agreed! But it's five o'clock.

[_Goes from table to small book-case with books._

ADENE.

[_Rising._] Let me help! Where does this go?

[_Touching the ophthalmoscope._

VERA.

That is very precious! [_Takes it and puts it down on table_ R.] But I'll tell you one thing more. Father has made things harder for the ordinary officials, especially for residents. It is practically impossible to come up to his standard. A man who first conquered and then ruled the most savage and turbulent tribes in India without ever letting his lowest subordinate do an oppressive act, a man with that extraordinary power of making others obey him----

[_She is now back again at the table and does not see_ CARLYON, _who enters at this moment_.

CARLYON.

[_Genially._] Who is this paragon, Vera?

VERA.

Father! [_Goes to him._

CARLYON.

[_Continuing._] Ah, Adene, you are most welcome! So you've taken my answer for granted. That's right.

ADENE.

I thought I might venture. I have so little time before starting for India. [_They shake hands._

CARLYON.

You must give us all you can spare of it. It must be two years since we were all at Rothesay.

ADENE.

Miss Carlyon actually did not know me.

VERA.

For the first instant!

CARLYON.

At any rate she has resumed the friends.h.i.+p where it was broken off.

Making you tidy her books, I see, and scolding you as you do it!

[ADENE _continues putting the books away_.

ADENE.

I interrupted her; and worse, she took me for a champion of the Baboo!

CARLYON.

She never forgives an interruption. That is why I always have the general tea in her room. By-the-bye, Vera, before I forget, you're to give away the prizes at the Y.M.C.A. Shooting Club.

VERA.

Oh, Father, when?

CARLYON.

Thursday next: eleven A.M. It'll take most of the day. But what is this about India and the black man? I heard n.o.ble sentiments as I came in.

VERA.

Mr. Adene says that he expects to find----