Page:Malabari, Behramji M. - Gujarat and the Gujaratis (1882).djvu/124

108 That evening I had the honour of a call from my friend Khán Báhádur Cooverji Cowasji Sabáwálá, the Deputy-Collector, a sensible practical worker, with a character for independence which few native officials can boast of. Mr. Cooverji is a man of the old school. He hates idle talk. Not given to insincere profession, and too rough-hewn by nature for mere sentimentalism, he is a terror to our "civilised" dandies. He will gladly shake an honest labourer by the hand, but holds the scented "exquisite" in horror. Mr. Cooverji bears a high reputation in the official circles.

Next in order came Rao Báhádur Mukunrái Manirái, the Sub-Judge, a very quiet unobtrusive man. He is seldom heard of in public, but is none the less earnest in the work of popular enlightenment. I believe Mr. Mukunrái is a very studious man. His official career has been blameless, and he is popular enough in the profession.

Having very little time left on hand now, I gave a hasty call to Rao Báhádur Nuggershet Premábhai Hemábhai. Sett Premábhai is the leading Hindu here, and was a millionaire before the days of the share mania of 1864-5. He