Ootacamund and Anglo-Indian Life 34 l 



the straight, dusty roads ? At least Society is re- 

 freshingly open and naive : every one knows that 

 Captain Tompkins is head over ears in love with 

 Miss Jimmy, and Mr. Golightly with Miss Fortescue, 

 and that neither of them possess anything but debts. 

 Miss Jimmy's parents require her presence at home ; 

 Miss Fortescue's papa is sent for to Simla, and departs 

 en f ami lie. There is a tacit understanding throughout 

 the station to, 



Beware the man who's crossed in love, 

 For pent-up stream must find its vent ; 



Step back when he is on the move, 

 And lend him half the continent. 



If it were possible to visit and help the poor in 

 India, organising work and recreation for them ; if 

 bungalows were homes to live in, instead of lodgings 

 to be left in a year or so when the owners should 

 be ordered elsewhere ; if gardening were a case of 

 anything except sowing and planting for an unknown 

 successor ; if there were good concerts, good picture- 

 galleries, good theatres, good Church services, good 

 lectures to attend ; and if the climate were less ener- 

 vating, women would do more than fritter time away. 

 There are none of these things. A dearth of mental 

 food, second-rate parsons, amateur art in all its 

 branches, form a sickly substitute. 



I once met some very pious children born of English 

 parents high up in the Civil Service. They came to 

 tea, after which my hostess unearthed seductive picture- 

 books. " No," said the little boy " no ; we would 



