Page:Henry rideout--The siamese cat.djvu/57

 supine, pointing a flute skyward and blowing pastoral notes. Laughing together, these two young people never listened to pure and primitive Buddhism.

Mrs. Holborow was naturally somewhat acidulated.

"This is a very silly expedition that the guide has persuaded you into," she told Laura. "The cat will be a great nuisance, and I dare say a source of contagion."

"Oh," said Scarlett cheerfully, "there's not much plague or cholera here now."

"A little would be quite sufficient," replied Aunt Julia, stiffly.

Presently their driver swerved after Borkman's whiplash round a corner, and pulled up behind the Tum-Tum in a crowded bazaar that reeked of betel, burning joss-sticks, Chinese tobacco, frying lard, and green drainage. Their burly guide, scattering ducks,