CEYLON COCOA ESTATE 25 



adding to the resemblance ; beyond this park- 

 like pattena, are many broad acres of cocoa and 

 coffee which here stretch across the valley — 

 a magnificent range of mountains rises to the 

 north, the highest peak, called Hunasgeyria, 

 attaining an altitude of four thousand nine 

 hundred feet. 



This is a view one could never tire of, 

 whether seen in the rosy dawn, or at golden 

 sunset ; or even in the gloom of monsoon time, 

 when fleecy clouds cap the highest peaks, or 

 chase each other along the black sides and into 

 the deep ravines. 



Inside the bungalow, in spite of the rain, all 

 was brightness ; roses and lilies adorning the 

 principal rooms. By noon most of the guests 

 had arrived, and we sat down to a sumptuous 

 breakfast, after the fashion of continental 

 breakfasts. The intended programme of 

 afternoon amusement, golf, tent-pegging, tennis, 

 and croquet had to be given up owing to bad 

 weather ; and indoor games and cards 

 substituted. Everyone, however, seemed as 

 happy as possible, and, as with the exception of 

 our host's mother, and myself, all were young 

 and unmarried, the fun seemed never to flag. 

 At half past seven came dinner, which would 

 have done credit to a London chef. The 

 table decorations were lovely — a tall centrepicee 

 filled with Bermuda lilies stood on a long strip 



2 



