66 MAY 



keeper held a sheet to catch them in. It was 

 difficult for Poonia to aim straight through the 

 leaves, and these two had to display a very 

 unoriental-like agility, leaping about with the sheet, 

 to prevent the mangoes falling on to the hard earth ; 

 and it was hot work, and thirsty. However, they 

 had some mangoes for themselves. 



I almost wonder Eed Hat did not say : 



"I was not hired to run about with a sheet 

 catching mangoes," as Canary did about the ducks ; 

 but I very seldom hear such a remark as that ; 

 though it is a most common excuse among Hindoos, 

 when they receive any new order. The last Red 

 Hat, some years ago, objected to carrying some 

 pots of plants about for me. The air of disgust 

 with which he looked at his fingers after lifting 

 one, annoyed me, and I said : 



" There is no harm ; if it does not hurt me, it 

 won't hurt you." 



He said : " I am a poor man ; my father served 

 the master for eleven years in his office, and never 

 was he required to lift any flower pots." 



"No matter," I said; "it is possible that the 

 master may not have desired to have pots lifted. 



