ed to
govern my District, for he was my friend.' The Great Sahib laughed and
said: 'If I had needed a lesser man in thy place be sure I would have
sent him, as, if I had needed the head of That One, be sure I would have
sent men to bring it to me. But tell me now, by what means didst thou
twist him to thy use and our profit in this cotton-play?' Our Sahib
said: 'By God, I did not use that man in any fashion whatever. He was
my friend.' The Great Sahib said: 'Toh Vac! (Bosh!) Tell!' Our Sahib
shook his head as he does--as he did when a child--and they looked at
each other like sword-play men in the ring at a fair. The Great Sahib
dropped his eyes first and he said: 'So be it. I should perhaps have
answered thus in my youth. No matter. I have made treaty with That One
as an ally of the State. Some day he shall tell me the tale.' Then I
brought in fresh coffee, and they ceased. But I do not think That One
will tell the Great Sahib more than our Sahib told him."

"Wherefore?" I asked.

"Because they are both Great Ones, and I have observed in my life
that Great Ones employ words very little between each other in their
dealings; still less when they speak to a third concerning those
dealings. Also they profit by silence.... Now I think that the
mother has come down from the room, and I will go rub his feet till he
sleeps."

His ears had caught Agnes's step at the stair-head and presently she
passed us on her way to the music room humming the Magnificat.

THE NEW KNIGHTHOOD

Who gives him the Bath?
"I," said the wet,
Rank Jungle-sweat,
"I'll give him the Bath!"

Who'll sing the psalms?
"We," said the Palms.
"Ere the hot wind becalms,
We'll sing the psalms."

Who lays on the sword?
"I," said the Sun,
"Before he has done,
I'll lay on the sword."

Who fastens his belt?
"I," said Short-Rations,
"I know all the fashions
Of tightening a belt!"

Who buckles his spur?
"I," said his Chief,
Exacting and brief,
"I'll give him the spur."

Who'll shake his hand?
"I," said the Fever,
"And I'm no deceiver,
I'll shake his hand."

Who brings him the wine?
"I," said Quinine,