MY HOUSE AND GARDEN 17 



well light when I commence my ride, but the day 

 comes quickly on. The prospect it discloses is but 

 dreary. The sky is a grey-white ; a dull brown band 

 stretches all along the eastern horizon : it is the dust 

 with which the air is laden. Presently the brown becomes 

 tinged with red. The red grows brighter, then it turns 

 to yellow, and I know that the sun has risen ; but it 

 is not till the sun has mounted well above the band 

 of dust that he becomes plainly visible, and then he 

 appears not as a glowing ball, but as a mere pale white 

 disc. 



It is not yet six o'clock when I return home, but the 

 sun's rays are already powerful. Still, shaded by an 

 umbrella, I stroll for half an hour about the garden. I 

 look at the river ; I pay a visit to my friends the ants 

 and note their proceedings ; perhaps I make acquaint- 

 ance with some new insects. The heat has now become 

 oppressive ; I retire to the house. The outer doors are 

 closed, and also the green "jilmil" doors beyond them, 

 and I commence the long indoor day. To describe it 

 in detail would be tedious. I read or I answer letters ; 

 I receive native visitors, for these early hours are when, 

 during the hot season, they mostly call ; I bathe ; I 

 dress ; I depart for my office ; about five I return and 

 dine. 



Dinner finished, I sit and read, the punkah swinging 

 monotonously above me. An hour passes ; the light 

 has grown softer ; it assumes a mellow hue, and I know 

 that the long day is at length drawing to a close. The 

 doors are now thrown open. I go outside. Though the 

 sun is setting, the heat is still extreme, but after the 

 -T) C 



