l moons. They make mud figures in their play of
men and horses. He who can add figures of oxen, elephants and
palanquins is highly praised. Do you remember when I used to make
them?"

MOTHER. Do I remember? Am I a block of wood or an old churn? Go on,
Akbar? What of my child?

SON. He says: "When the children are not in the school they are at work
in the fields from their earliest years. They soon lose all fear of us
soldiers, and drill us up and down the streets of the villages. The
smallest salute on all occasions. They suffer little from sickness. The
old women here are skilful in medicines. They dry the leaves of trees
and give them for a drink against diseases. One old woman gave me an
herb to chew for a worm in my tooth [toothache] which cured me in an
hour."

MOTHER. God reward that woman! I wonder what she used.

SON. He says: "She is my French mother."

MOTHER. What-t! How many mothers has a man? But God reward her none the
less! It must have been that old double-tooth at the back on the left
lower side, for I remember----

FATHER. Let it wait. It is cured now. What else does he write?

SON. He writes, making excuses for not having written. He says: "I have
been so occupied and sent from one place to another that on several
occasions I have missed the post. I know you must have experienced
anxiety. But do not be displeased. Let my mother remember that I can
only write when I have opportunity, and the only remedy for
helplessness is patience."

FATHER [_groaning_]. Ah! He has not yet been wounded, and he sets
himself up for a physician.

MOTHER. He speaks wisely and beautifully. But what of his "French
mother"--burn her!

SON. He says: "Moreover, this French mother of mine in France is
displeased with me if I do not write to her about my welfare. My
mother, like you, my French mother does all she can for my welfare. I
cannot write sufficiently in praise of what she does for me. When I was
in the village behind the trench if, on any day, by reason of duty, I
did not return till evening, she, herself, would come in search of me
and lead me back to the house.

MOTHER. Aha! _She_ knew! I wish I could have caught him by the other
ear!

SON. He says: "And when I was sent away on duty to another village, and
so could not find time to write either to you or to her, she came close
to the place where I was and where no one is permitted to come and
asked to see her boy. She brought with her a great parcel