CEYLON COCOA ESTATE 221 



I have seen a strong minded bathing woman 

 dip poor frightened babies in the sea. The 

 dress of the little creatures added much to the 

 comicality, for the boy was clad from head to 

 foot in a suit of orange and black broad striped 

 flannelette, made on the pattern of pyjamas ; 

 and the girl wore a very long cotton frock, of 

 the most approved pink colour. Next day, we 

 had a visit with which I was much gratified. 

 Our visitors were the little garden boy I had 

 employed at Raneetotem, and the runaway coolie 

 whom I before mentioned as having been 

 brought there in handcuffs, and for whose good 

 conduct Rob made himself responsible. They 

 brought with them offerings of fruit and vege- 

 tables. Five months is a long time to live in 

 the mind of a coolie, and I was very pleased 

 that they had taken the trouble to walk twelve 

 miles to pay us a visit. January 15th found 

 the holiday ended and all once more busy at 

 work, at least all who had feasted wisely and 

 not too well. 



This morning Virapen Kangany's Lines have 

 been in a state of commotion. In his room was 

 found an evil charm hidden by some enemy ; 

 and all the coolies are fully convinced that a 

 great disaster will befall him, though I don't 

 think he himself is much alarmed. Rob begged 

 that he might have it to bring to me as a 

 curiosity. The charm consists of two dirty little 



