Page:On the Coromandel Coast.djvu/214

202 his fault; he did not call himself Davis. His neighbours had given him the name because it belonged to a half-brother who was taking care of him. Here his companion, who was the half-brother alluded to, tried to make matters clearer:

'You see, sir, this is how it is. We both had the same mother, but we each had two fathers.'

There was another old character of the name of David, who was on the Poor Fund. He used to delight in black clothes, and was the proud possessor of a clerical coat and hat much the worse for wear. He was asked why he did not work for his living, for, though between sixty and seventy, he was active and able to get about. He replied that he was a preacher by trade, and trade was slack.

'Not at all,' replied the chaplain. 'You shall preach to the servants of the house, and so earn a rupee a month.'

The arrangement pleased all parties. The servants, who were Roman Catholics and good souls according to their lights, liked listening to the old man as he held forth volubly in their own tongue. He used to come regularly once a week. I often caught sight of him walking about the compound in the most businesslike fashion, gathering his flock and persuading some of the heathen to come in as well. He was always neat and tidy, with white trousers, long black coat, clerical hat, white beard, and silver-knobbed walking-stick. He took himself very seriously and earnestly, and was supremely happy in his appointment. Once a month the butler came to the study with the information, 'David done preach, sir, and asking pay.' The first time his rupee was given he sent in for another, saying that the first rupee was his 'church pay,' by which he meant his allowance out of the Poor Fund. So for the future he was given two rupees.