Page:Under the Deodars - Kipling (1890).djvu/58

 —Never ask a man his opinion of a woman's dress when he is desperately and abjectly in love with the wearer. Let me look. Like everything else of yours, it's perfect. Where did you get it from?

—He gave it me, on Wednesday—our wedding-day, you know.

—The deuce he did! He's growing generous in his old age. D'you like all that frilly, bunchy stuff at the throat? I don't

—Don't you?"Kind Sir, o' your courtesy, As you go by the town, Sir, Pray you o' your love for me, Buy me a russet gown, Sir."

—I won't say: "Keek into the draw-well, Janet, Janet". Only wait a little, darling, and you shall be stocked with russet gowns and everything else.

—And when the frocks wear out, you'll get me new ones—and everything else?

—Assuredly.

—I wonder!

—Look here, Sweetheart, I did'nt spend two days and two nights in the train to hear you wonder. I thought we'd settled all that at Shaifazehat.

—(Dreamily)—At Shaifazehat? Does the Station go on still? That was ages and ages ago. It must be crumbling to pieces. All except the Amirtollah road. I don't believe that could crumble till the Day of Judgment.

—You think so? What is the mood now?

—I can't tell. How cold it is! Let us get on quickly.

—Better walk a little. Stop your men and get out. What's the matter with you this evening, dear?

—Nothing. You must grow accustomed to my ways. If I'm boring you I can go home. Here's Captain Congleton coming. I dare say he'll be willing to escort me.

—Goose! Between us, too! Damn Captain Congleton. There!