n 4 THE MARKHOR 



Will the markhor prove fatal to me ? Surely 

 not ! It is only heroes who die ! Ordinary mortals 

 are in no danger ! And I have never been warned 

 by the white nuns, who know that I have as yet 

 scattered no triglavroses, plucked no blue irises in the 

 Happy Valley ! Often and often have I longed to 

 do so, for they are so lovely and they smell so sweet ; 

 but they are said to bring bad luck, so I resisted and 

 turned away with a sigh. They are used in Cash- 

 mere for decorating graves hence the legend of 

 misfortune. 



Poor, pretty blue flowers ! What a sad lot is 

 yours ! 



