on is full of
these fascinating _chits_, who have no morals, but are witty,
good-tempered and gay. Ma Chit--the name means 'my love'--is said to
be irresistible and the prettiest girl in the province; she is
Bernhard's housekeeper."

"His housekeeper!" repeated Shafto; "why, he told me he lived at the
German Club!"

"That may be; but he has a fine house in Kokine. It is not an uncommon
situation--that sort of temporary marriage. Ma Chit looks after his
interests, rules his household, and makes him comfortable; her people
acquiesce. All marriages are easily arranged and easily dissolved
among the Burmans. A young man may offer sweets, serenade a girl a few
times; if he is acceptable, there's a family dinner, with much chewing
of betel nut, and that constitutes the ceremony!"

"What a happy-go-lucky country!" exclaimed Shafto.

"Happy, yes! Lucky, I'm not sure! Well now, don't lose your way;
first turn to the right, second to the left, and there is the Strand.
Good night!"

CHAPTER XII

EAST AND WEST

The first and principal sight in Rangoon is the great Shwe Dagon
Pagoda, and on Sunday afternoon Shafto and his new acquaintance passed
between the golden lions at its base, and slowly ascended flight after
flight of steep brick steps, lined with flower-decked shrines and
blocked by dense masses of worshippers, who were swarming up and down.

The temple stands in imposing majesty on a wide platform and dominates
the town--in fact, apart from the trade and business element, the
Pagoda _is_ Rangoon. The splendid edifice is entirely encased in
plates of solid gold, and the "Ti," which rises from the inverted
begging-bowl, is studded with priceless precious stones--emeralds,
rubies, sapphires and diamonds--which flash and glitter in the sun.
These have been presented by pious pilgrims from all parts of the
province and beyond; for, with the exception of the Caaba at Mecca, no
earthly shrine attracts such multitudes, or receives such generous
largesse.

Shafto and his companion having toiled up the steps, worn hollow by
millions of feet, halted on the plateau, which was half-covered with
little stalls, whose keepers were selling flowers, candles, flags,
dolls, and images of Buddha--made in Birmingham. Here were hundreds,
nay thousands of joyous gaily-clad worshippers moving to and fro, a
truly brilliant pageant of passing life. It was difficult to say which
were the more strikingly dressed: the men in