Forty Years' Life in Tropical Gardens. 291 



times a tumble in one of the lakes meant a bath and a change of clothes. 

 Some of the emergencies were amusing. Boys climbing forbidden trees 

 descended hurriedly, leaving part of their garments behind them and had 

 to borrow others not always a fit. One boy who fell into a malodorous 

 heap of " putta-putta," was obliged to discard all his outer garments, wait 

 till dark and go home in a girl's frock. I wonder if he remembers. One 

 day going up to my son's bedroom, I saw a strange pair of small legs under 

 the bed. Investigation brought forth a small boy who told me he had 

 come to stay with me always, as his mother had told him to run away 

 and not bother her ! He had run away. I sent a messenger to his 

 mother telling of his safety, and advised her to let him stay a while. We 

 did not pet or fuss him, and before the clay was out he thought he would 

 be better off at home. 



Then those dear " Bellairs boys," always happy if the big boy would 

 show them his guns, etc., and Judge Smith's two boys who would arrive 

 in immaculate white suits and tell me they had come to spend the day — 

 surely never did two small boys play such pranks or get into the mischief 

 they did. They would rarely go home till dark and then often in 

 borrowed clothes, their own being too disreputable. 



When bicycles became the rage mishaps were frequent and arnica and 

 bandages were always ready. One high Church dignitary (now in a 

 neighbouring island) had a nasty spill over burnt earth, and limped over 

 to us to have his wounds dressed and his clothes mended that he might 

 ride home decorously. 



But the best of all our recollections is of a night when, the rain 

 pouring in torrents and the roads under water, two Artillery officers and 

 a private who had been dining with us were unable to get away. We had 

 couches and a hammock, but only two grown-up sleeping suits. One, 

 which one was kept a profound secret, had to don a long garment very 

 lacey and frilly ! Oh, the shrieks of laughter and picturesque language 

 that we heard ! One of these three is now in India, one in Africa, and the 

 third a Government official in this colony. 



The resources of our larder were often strained, especially on mail 

 days, but never so much as on a day when my husband coming in to lunch, 

 brought with him a party of 10 nuns and 4 priests (here in transit). One 

 priest spoke a little English, the superior in charge of the nuns was 

 French, and all the others spoke nothing but Dutch. They had landed 

 after morning tea, had walked to the gardens, wandered round looking 

 for somewhere to get a "piece of bread and cup of water." My 

 husband told me he found them on the Avenue seats almost exhausted. 

 Happily our stores had been replenished the day before and we were able 

 to give them a simple lunch and, joy of joys, some lager beer. Of course, 

 they expected to pay ! But it was a good chance to pay off a little 

 of the debt we owed Bishop Butler and his good nuns, and they went 

 on their way blessing us and rejoicing. I have always found blessings 

 like theirs very listing in their effects. Indeed it was a saying in our 

 household that sometimes " bread cast on the waters " came back iced cake. 



