Desmond's
squadron, boasted just such a matting wall, with a gateless gateway,
even as in the bungalows of Sahibs; and withinsides all was very
particularly set in order. There was an air of festivity in the open
courtyard, on either side of which lay two smoke-grimed rooms, that
made up the entire house.

For this was a red-letter day in the eyes of the Jemadar, and of
Fatma Bibi, his wife, who had spent a full hour in adorning her plump
person, and emphasising its charms according to the peculiar methods
of the East. That done, she came forth into the sunlight, attired as
becomes a Mahomedan woman who is expecting a visit of ceremony. Above
her mysteriously draped trousers she wore a sleeveless coat, adorned
with crescent-shaped pockets and a narrow gold braid. A _sari_[8] of
gold-flecked muslin was draped over her head and shoulders, and
beneath it her heavily oiled hair made a wide triangle of her
forehead. The scarlet of betel-nut was upon her lips; the duskiness of
kol shadowed her lashes. Ornaments of glass and silver encircled her
neck and arms, and were lavishly festooned around her delicate ears.

[8] Veil.

Her entire bearing exhaled satisfied vanity like a perfume, as she sat
at ease upon a bare _charpoy_[9] watching her husband's preparations
for the expected guests.

[9] String-bed.

He was arrayed in full-dress uniform, even to the two cherished medals
on his chest; and his appearance sorted strangely with the peaceful
nature of his occupation.

In the midst of the courtyard he had set forth--not without a secret
glow of pride--as exact an imitation of the Sahibs' "afternoon tea" as
his limited knowledge and resources would permit. From the mess
khansamah he had borrowed a japanned tea-tray that had seen much
service, a Rockingham teapot, chipped at the spout, two blue-rimmed
cups and saucers, and half a dozen plates, which last he had set round
the table at precisely equal distances from each other. Two of them
were left empty for the use of his guests, and the other four were
piled with dainties suitable for so high an occasion--sugar-topped
biscuits (beloved of natives throughout the land), raw pistachio nuts,
Cabul grapes and oranges. Then, because the central space had a barren
aspect, the sugar-bowl was promoted to the place of honour for lack of
a more suitable adornment.

The only two chairs the courtyard contained were set opposite to one
another, and it was uplifting to reflect that i