86 EVERYDAY LIFE ON A 



valuable article of export. Several kinds, 

 including Para and Castilloa are being planted 

 in the island. 



April 22nd. — The little monsoon is now 

 upon us. From time to time we have clouds 

 which veil the scorching sun, and often the 

 evening brings us refreshing thunder showers. 

 No one who has not lived in the Tropics can 

 imagine the delight with which we hail the 

 rumble of distant thunder, and the eagerness 

 with which we watch the course of the storm 

 lest, (as is sometimes the case) it should move 

 round in a distant circuit, leaving us rainless in 

 the centre. I have known rain fall heavily 

 within a mile on both sides of us, leaving 

 Raneetotem high and dry, with barely a few 

 drops of the coveted moisture. At this time of 

 year we exist all day in the sweltering heat 

 dripping from every pore. Rob in the field 

 is occupied with his work, and has to drag his 

 dripping weary limbs about thinking as little as 

 possible about the heat. Whilst to me, sitting 

 alone in the bungalow, the day seems inter- 

 minable. I cannot write or do any needlework, 

 on account of the swarms of minute eyeflies 

 which are continually making a dash at my 

 eyes, so I have to read as much as I can, with 

 a book in one hand, and a fan in the other, 

 and when I can read no longer, I meditate. 

 Needless to say my meditations do not take a 



