ghbours are musical, first-rate musicians and so critical; I
appreciate that--it keeps me up to the mark."

"I think, among them, they all keep you up to the mark," observed Mrs.
Gregory, and whatever she was about to add was abruptly interrupted by
a loud, swelling, unanimous murmur of "Ah Wah, Ah Wah," which suddenly
rose from a thousand throats. This rapturous acclamation hailed the
appearance of Po Sine, the star of the Burmese theatre--unsurpassed and
unapproachable in either tragedy or comedy. Po Sine was nothing to
look at--a thin, ordinary, little man, but endowed with genius; even
those who could not understand a word he said immediately recognised
the great actor.

This particular play was a favourite comedy; shouts of laughter shook
the audience and the encompassing walls of matting, and in this Shafto
and his companion could not help joining.

"I wonder what it is all about," said Sophy. "I know it's very
amusing. What was that funny thing he said last?" she asked as the
shrieks died down.

Shafto coloured guiltily. Although far from being an expert in the
Burmese language, he had caught the drift of this sentence--a coarse
_double entendre_, which he could not possibly interpret to a girl.
Burmese plays are not always decorous; this particular performance was
an odd mixture of ancient and modern. The lovers, who were, as usual,
princes and princesses, played stately roles and moved about with
majestic dignity and in gorgeous raiment--their prototypes dated from
the days of Buddha; on the other hand, the clown and the country men,
who enacted the parts of villains and devils, were essentially
modern--as quick with patter songs and up-to-date local events and
jokes as the cleverest music-hall artist. At intervals the weird
Burmese band, with its clashing cymbals, harps and clarions, discoursed
the latest Burmese operatic airs.

It was one o'clock and the great bell in the heart of the Pagoda had
throbbed out its long deep note, when Mrs. Gregory rose and collected
her party.

"I'm so sorry I can't take you with me," she said to Sophy. "I hope
your German friends will not remain all night. However, I shall depute
Mr. Shafto to look after you. Please tell your aunt that I hope to
call and see her very shortly--and do not forget that you are to ride
with me on Thursday morning."

As if it was likely! Then Mrs. Gregory took her departure, leaving
Sophy and her companion to a _tete-a-tete_.