As to my own concerns, the trench in which I sat was broken by a
_bomb-golee_ as large as our smallest grain-chest." [_He'll go off and
measure it at once!_] "It dropped out of the air. It burst, the ground
was opened and replaced upon seven of us. I and two others took wounds.
Sweetmeats are not distributed in war-time. God permitted my soul to
live, by means of the doctors' strong medicines. I have inhabited six
hospitals before I came here to England. This hospital is like a
temple. It is set in a garden beside the sea. We lie on iron cots
beneath a dome of gold and colours and glittering glass work, with
pillars." [_You know that's true, Sahib. We can see it--but d'you
think_ he'll _believe? Never! Never!_] "Our food is cooked for us
according to our creeds--Sikh, or Brahmin, or Mussulman and all the
rest--When a man dies he is also buried according to his creed. Though
he has been a groom or a sweeper, he is buried like some great
land-owner. Do not let such matters trouble you henceforth. Living or
dying, all is done in accordance with the ordinance of our faiths. Some
low-caste men, such as sweepers, counting upon the ignorance of the
doctors here make a claim to be of reputable caste in order that they
may get consideration. If a sweeper in this hospital says he is
forbidden by his caste to do certain things he is believed. He is not
beaten." [_Now, why is that, Sahib? They ought to be beaten for
pretending to have caste, and making a mock of the doctors._ I _should
slipper them publicly--but--I'm not the Government. We will go on._]

"The English do not despise any sort of work. They are of many castes,
but they are all one kind in this. On account of my wounds, I have not
yet gone abroad to see English fields or towns." [_It is true I have
been out twice in a motor-carriage, Sahib, but that goes too quickly
for a man to see shops, let alone faces. We will not tell him that. He
does not like motor-cars._] "The French in Franceville work continually
without rest. The French and the Phlahamahnds [Flamands] who are a
caste of French, are Kings among cultivators. As to cultivation--"
[_Now, I pray, Sahib, write quickly for I am as full of this matter as
a buffalo of water_] "their fields are larger than ours, without any
divisions, and they do not waste anything except the width of the
footpath. Their land descends securely from father to son upon payment
of tax to the Government, just as in civilized countries. I h