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I found out that a second class return ticket would 

 cost about Rs.50, but then of course extras in such 

 cases come heavy. This, I think, was on the igth or 

 20th December. I naturally wanted to spend Christ- 

 mas day with my family, and there was no time to go- 

 after, so a consultation resulted in seeing me in a 

 second class carriage in the 4 p.m. mail for Calcutta 

 on the 2ist. 



The next day in the train was chiefly spent in 

 making out lists of what I would buy if luck was in, 

 and if luck was out, of what would satisfy me for the 

 expense and trouble. The latter was almost cut down. 

 to Zebras and Budgies, with possibly a hen Gouldian, 

 which was badly wanted, but really hardly expected. 

 I arrived at Calcutta a bit before 6 a.m. on the 23rd 

 and hastily shoved my bag into a disreputable second 

 class ticca ghari, chosen with a purpose, whicli 

 purpose also kept me from a shave and clean up.. 

 Altogether I think I looked the mean white. Drove 

 .straight to the Chiria Bazaar, Tiretta, leaving the 

 ghari a little way off with orders to come up soon after 

 and wait. It was a bit early, but I was glad to see 

 that I should do a bit better than my lowest hopes at 

 any rate, as Budgies and Zebras were staring me in the 

 face. But of course no purchases were to be made 

 yet, so, tearing myself past the first shop, I began to 

 look round and make enquiries as to the price per 

 dozen of Bengalese and Avadavats. However, I soon 

 saw that my first glance had taken in about all of 

 interest to me and soon became the possessor of a large 

 cage and six each of Zebras, Budgies, and Blue- 

 crowned Hatiging Parrakeets at prices much the same 

 as at home, bar the last, these by the way were all hens 



