The Amlahs. 41 



whilst he is still groping in darkness as to the dis- 

 position of his several amlahs^ they have within a 

 very few days taken his measure pretty correctly ; 

 and even as their estimate is, so will their behaviour 

 and general demeanour be. He must learn that any 

 display of preference is a fatal weakness, which the 

 favoured one will lose no time in working upon to 

 his own advantage, whilst the less fortunate ones will 

 go about their work in a sulking, slovenly way, the 

 result of the ascendency asserted over them by the 

 favourite. 



The amlahs are a necessary evil a veritable thorn 

 in the flesh to the hardworking, conscientious Assist- 

 ant ; but such as they are, he cannot get on without 

 them. He will find, as he becomes more initiated 

 into their tortuous ways and more conversant with 

 the manner of their lying, that even they might have 

 been worse, and he congratulates himself that his 

 amlahs are not as those of other men. The abyss 

 must be deep indeed where there is not still a deeper 

 depth, and the Assistant finds that the amlahs, if not 

 exactly angels of light, are human beings after all. 



