IN THE EAST INDIES. 147 
strong as can be, diluted with either boiled milk or 
water. I bought a chocolate bean yesterday and tried 
it; I was dreadfully disappointed in it, for instead of 
tasting like chocolate it tasted like quinine. 
Give my love to every one, James included, and 
with lots to yourself, Fred, 
From 
F. A. 
Buitenzorg, Java, March 27, 1907. 
Dear Sarah : 
I have not written to you for some time — if ever 
— so here goes on the strength of the recent cable. 
Today in a few constrained and measured phrases I 
have conveyed to the Dr. my congratulations, adding 
slightly I hope to the volume of good wishes which I 
know must now be yours. To say that we were both 
surprised and delighted is far too mild; to put it ac- 
eurately I should have to coin new superlatives. I 
hope you will tell him that I am not much of a hand 
at doing this sort of a job very well, but the sentiments 
are just as sincere as if I were a master of prose com- 
position. 
This evening we are booked for the state ball at 
the palace of the Dutch Viceroy where the society of 
the Dutch East Indies will doubtless be in evidence. 
Ros. and I have both been interested in different ways 
in this appalling event, for some days, and perhaps 
my present state of happiness over the affair may 
account for the discontinuity of this epistle. I shall 
be glad when it is over. 
The collection still grows, but I am anxious to jog 
a bit more through Java. As the Mrs. has already 
