them. Isn't it beautiful? Isn't it lovely?"

"Getting up at three to learn to milk, bless her heart! Oh, ye Gods, why
must we grow old and fat?"

"She's a darling. She has done more work under me--"

"Under you? The day after she came she was in charge and you were her
subordinate. You've stayed there ever since; she manages you almost as
well as you manage me."

"She doesn't, and that's why I love her. She's as direct as a man--as
her brother."

"Her brother's weaker than she is. He's always to me for orders; but
he's honest, and a glutton for work. I confess I'm rather fond of
William, and if I had a daughter--"

The talk ended. Far away in the Derajat was a child's grave more than
twenty years old, and neither Jim nor his wife spoke of it any more.

"All the same, you're responsible," Jim added, a moment's silence.

"Bless 'em!" said Mrs. Jim, sleepily.

Before the stars paled, Scott, who slept in an empty cart, waked and
went about his work in silence; it seemed at that hour unkind to rouse
Faiz Ullah and the interpreter. His head being close to the ground,
he did not hear William till she stood over him in the dingy old
riding-habit, her eyes still heavy with sleep, a cup of tea and a piece
of toast in her hands. There was a baby on the ground, squirming on a
piece of blanket, and a six-year-old child peered over Scott's shoulder.

"Hai, you little rip," said Scott, "how the deuce do you expect to get
your rations if you aren't quiet?"

A cool white hand steadied the brat, who forthwith choked as the milk
gurgled into his mouth.

"'Mornin'," said the milker. "You've no notion how these little fellows
can wriggle."

"Oh, yes, I have." She whispered, because the world was asleep. "Only I
feed them with a spoon or a rag. Yours are fatter than mine. And you've
been doing this day after day?" The voice was almost lost.

"Yes; it was absurd. Now you try," he said, giving place to the girl.
"Look out! A goat's not a cow."

The goat protested against the amateur, and there was a scuffle, in
which Scott snatched up the baby. Then it was all to do over again, and
William laughed softly and merrily. She managed, however, to feed two
babies, and a third.

"Don't the little beggars take it well?" said Scott. "I trained 'em."

They were very busy and interested, when lo! it was broad daylight, and
before they knew, the camp was awake, and they kneeled among the goats,
surprised by the day, both flushed to