I dare say, wear off."

"I hope so, for I should not like to think that you are going to be
ill."

"I am not ill; but, perhaps, dear, if you can spare me, I had better get
away tomorrow before the heat becomes worse. May is always such an
appalling month in the plains."

"I shall speak to your father immediately about it," Mrs. Bright said,
relieved to find something she could do to avert a break-down of her
daughter's usually excellent health. "The Mackenzies at Mussoorie will
be delighted to have you for a month or two as a paying guest. We have
only to wire. And if they have no room, they can secure one for you near
by."

"That will be all right," said Honor listlessly. "I'll start tomorrow
night, if possible."

"It shall be possible. Such a sudden collapse!" commented Mrs. Bright.
"I do hope you will feel more fit in the morning."

"I'll be quite fit, never fear," said Honor. "Tonight I am only a bit
'off colour,' as Tommy says," and she tried to smile.

"I'll send a message down to the _dhobi_ to get your wash ready by noon
tomorrow. At these times one realises how infinitely more convenient is
a _dhobi_ than an English Laundry Company," and Mrs. Bright bustled away
that she might lose no time in letting the washerman know what was
expected of him. Though the laundry had been taken away that very
morning, she had not the slightest doubt that the task would be
completed to perfection before noon, for she knew the laundryman of
India to be as remarkable in his line as the Indian cook is in his.

The following evening, Honor left Muktiarbad station, with the faithful
Tommy to see her off in the train; and her mother was there to give her
a last hug and sundry forgotten injunctions at the eleventh hour. "Mind
you telegraph on your arrival--and don't forget to wear a woollen vest
next to your skin. It is so necessary to ward off colds. Give Alice
Mackenzie my love and say that I shall try to come up in the rains.
Good-bye, darling, and take care of yourself! If you want more money,
don't fail to let me know. Have you got your umbrella? Thank goodness! I
thought it was forgotten. Write soon; I hope you'll pick up and look
better when I see you next."

The train moved off and Mrs. Bright remarked to Tommy that she was quite
alarmed to see such a sudden change in her beloved child. Really, she
should have insisted upon her going away, the latest, a month ago.

"What is the matter? I, too, have been aghast at t