CEYLON COCOA ESTATE 105 



cookery books : the inevitable Mrs. Beeton, 

 a book on Savouries, and another on Pastry. 

 He is only thirteen but is a capital little servant, 

 cleans the sitting-room and the bedrooms, valets 

 his master, writes menus, lays the table, 

 arranges flowers, helps the Appu to wait, and 

 all for the equivalent of about £ 6 a year wages. 

 One of his greatest accomplishments is that he 

 speaks English, which is to me an untold com- 

 fort, as it ensures my wishes and orders being 

 carried out correctly. Added to which, he is a 

 most picturesque little object dressed in white 

 cloth, white jacket, small round cap, earrings, 

 finger rings, and bracelets. I have another 

 boy about the same age who is our tapal (post) 

 cooly, and at spare times works in the garden 

 and attends to the dogs and poultry, but un- 

 fortunately is of such high caste, that he would 

 not condescend to do anything in the bungalow, 

 or to fetch meat, and would rather die than eat 

 anything cooked in our kitchen. He carries 

 himself with quite an air. Many of the high 

 caste coolies have this grand air, which makes 

 one really feel there is something in caste. 



One old Kangany looks so military, with well 

 clipped white moustache and short side 

 whiskers, and has such a commanding voice that 

 we have nicknamed him "The Major-General." 

 I am sorry to say he is a very stupid old man 

 and not at all as chivalrous as he looks, for 



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