ck from the Chronicle office, patient under
the blue umbrellas; he had brought her a book, and they had told him she
would not be long in returning. He had gone so far as to order tea for
her, and it was waiting with him. "Make it," she commanded; "why haven't
you had some already?" and while he bent over the battered Britannia
metal spout she sank into the nearest seat and let her hat make a frame
for her face against the back of it. She was too tired, she said, to
move, and her hands lay extended, one upon each arm of her chair, with
the air of being left there to be picked up at her convenience. Arnold,
over the teapot, agreed that walking in Calcutta was an insidious
pleasure--one gathered a lassitude--and brought her cup. She looked at
him for an instant as she took it.

"But I am not too tired to hear what you have on your mind," she said.
"Have Kally Nath Mitter's relations prevailed over his convictions?
Won't your landlord let you have your oratory on the roof after all?"

"You get these things so out of perspective," Stephen said, "that I
don't think I should tell you if they were so. But they're not. Kally
Nath is to be baptized to-morrow. We are certain to get our oratory."

"I am very glad," Hilda interrupted. "When one prays for so long a
time together it must be better to have fresh air. It will certainly be
better for Brother Colquhoun. He seems to have such a weak chest."

"It will be better for us all." Arnold seemed to reflect, across his
teacup, how much better it would be. Then he added, "I saw Lindsay last
night."

"Again? And--"

"I think it is perfectly hopeless. I think he is making way."

"Sickening! I hoped you would not speak to him again. After all--another
man--it's naturally of no use!"

"I spoke as a priest!"

"Did he swear at you?"

"Oh dear no! He was rather sympathetic. And I went very far. But I could
get him to see nothing--to feel nothing."

"How far did you go?"

"I told him that she was consecrated, that he proposed to commit
sacrilege. He seemed to think he could make it up to her."

"If anyone else had said that to me I should have laughed--you don't
suspect the irony in it" Hilda said. "Pray who is to make it up to him?"

"I suppose there is that point of view."

"I should think so, indeed! But taking it, I despair with you. I had her
here the other day and tried to make the substance of her appear before
him. I succeeded too--he gave me the most uncomfortable