ubtless, it is Allah's will that the lives of
His Faithful should be prolonged by these hats. The sons of mothers who
go to foreign parts are specially kept under His Eye.

We know very well how the world is made. To earn a living and bear
trouble is the duty of man. If I send you a report that I have won
promotion in the Regiment, do not forget to distribute alms to the
extent of fifteen rupees and to feed the poor.

Mother, put down your ear and listen to me. There is no danger whatever
in box-pictures [snapshot-photographs]. Anyone submitted to them is in
all respects as he was before. Nothing is taken out of his spirit. I,
myself, Mother, have submitted myself to many box-pictures, both
mounted and standing beside my horse. If at any time again the Zenana
Doctor Sahiba desires to make a box-picture of _him_ do not snatch the
child away but send the picture to me. I cannot see him in my dreams
because at his age he changes with each month. When I went away he was
still on all fours. Now you tell me he stands up holding by the skirts.
I wish to see a box-picture of this very greatly indeed. I can read
box-pictures now as perfectly as the French. When I was new to this
country I could not understand their meaning in the least. This is on
account of knowledge which comes by foreign travel and experience.
Mother, this world abounds in marvels beyond belief. We in India are
but stones compared to these people. They do not litigate among
themselves; they speak truth at first answer; their weddings are not
[performed] till both sides are at least eighteen, and no man has
authority here to beat his wife.

I have resided in billets with an old man and his wife, who possess
seven hens, an ass, and a small field of onions. They collect dung from
our horse-lines upon their backs, a very little at a time but
continuously. They are without means of maintenance, yet they do not
lay a finger upon any food except through invitation. They exhibit
courtesy to each other in all things.

They call me _Sia_ [monsieur?] which is Mian [Mahommedan title of
respect] and also _man barah_ [mon brave?] which signifies hero. I have
spoken to them many times of you, my Mother, and they desire I send you
their salutations. She calls me to account strictly for my doings each
day. At evening tide I am fetched in with the hens. My clothes are then
inspected and repaired when there is need. She turns me back and forth
between her hands. If I exhibi