12 ROUGHING IT IN SOUTHERN INDIA 



it ; the little face seemed all eyes — would have seemed 

 weirdly so to one not conversant with native customs — 

 owing to the antimony thickly stained round them, deepen- 

 ing the curve of the long lashes with its blue-black, inky 

 shadows ; the plump wrists and ankles were all a-tinkle 

 with silver bangles, enough in themselves to afford happiness 

 and occupation to such a being, and the child smiled up at 

 me confidingly, knowing no reason why it should not be 

 there. The father had turned at my entrance, then, looking 

 down at his pulli l as if greatly surprised to see it there — 

 probably remembering certain threats on my part — said 

 lamely that someone must have brought it in, which was 

 quite obvious. However, the little figure was such a perfect 

 Cupid in bronze and pink shirt, and the man's pride in its 

 adornments, and his solicitude for its present comfort, 

 struck me as so touching that I could not say a word as to 

 the kitchen, let alone the beef, not being the proper place 

 for it. 



Eight o'clock came, and as we sat down to dinner I cannot 

 deny that the thought of that round of beef weighed some- 

 what upon my mind ; but F., to whom I had told the story, 

 said it didn't matter, he should eat it just the same, for after 

 all we only knew that one, and comparatively harmless 

 stage, in its adventures ere it reached our plates ; generally 

 we knew nothing. However, to my surprise — as I had not 

 credited the cook with so much tact — the entire menu had 

 been changed, that the non-appearance of the beef might 

 be less noticeable ; moreover, the cook eclipsed himself 

 throughout the meal. 



Another important person in one's household is the tailor, 

 always called the durzai ; he it is who does all the mending 

 and the making of everyday clothes. One spot in the 

 verandah is his by appropriation, and there he spreads his 

 mat and takes up his position at nine o'clock every morning, 

 1 Child (Tamil). 



