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 'And you, John,' I said laughingly, 'you, of course, must call me Nicola.' After that we seemed to get on much better somehow. He quite brightened up, and seemed more cheerful. Of course, that may have been owing to the Christian names or it may not. I couldn't tell straight away. It might be that John was one of those men who shine most in the bosoms of their own families, or again it might be that really at heart, in spite of all appearances to the contrary, he was a gay Lothario not unaccustomed to the use of ladies' Christian names. Then I looked at Berengaria, and the second alternative faded out of sight. It must have been the unaccustomed sound of a lady's Christian name upon his lips that woke him up.

'I've made a "bundobast" for a picnic to-morrow,' Berengaria was saying. 'I thought it would be an excellent way for you to get to know all the people.' I hadn't the remotest idea what a 'bundobast' was, but I smiled sweetly, and duly murmured words of much gratification. 'Of course, I shall take you calling to-morrow morning, but we shall probably find everyone "darwaza bandh",' she added, pouring herself out more tea. 'In Slumpanugger nobody is ever visible when you call. You either get "darwaza bandh" or "Ghussal Karte".'

I was getting a bit dazed, and couldn't quite follow. I think John guessed.

'"Ghussal Karte," you, know means having a