THE VISIT OF THE WASHERMAN. 
took no notice at all, but went out to work; and, 
all the kanganis and coolies that afternoon keenly 
observed amongst themselves, that master was in par- 
ticularly good humour, even jocular. The work was 
all well done, in sufficient quantity, so that the people, 
presuming upon this pleasant frame of mind, ventured 
to remark that it was four o’clock. On hearing this 
he pulled out his watch, and said, no, it was only 
three, but, as they had all been very diligent and attentive 
and had done a very good day’s work, he would let them 
off, merely as an encouragement as to what might 
happen very often, if they continued to be equally con- 
scientious during his absence. He did not care about four 
o’clock ; it was the amount of work they got through 
with that guided him, so they all proceeded from the 
working place in very good humour, homeward-bound. 
Now, the boy, just about four o’clockj always came 
out of the kitchen to watch master coming from the 
working place. The result of which was that the 
ooffeewas always hot, set already on the table, just as 
he entered the bungalow. But in this, particular 
instance, as he had been sooner than usual, or, it 
may be, the worthy servant’s eyesight not being in fit 
condintio for watching, there had b^een none. Be this 
as it may, when master entered the house he missed 
the usual sight of the coffee-pot and its appendages ; 
the table was bare. ‘‘Boy,” shouts ^he, bring coffee,” 
and shortly afterwards the kitchen cooly comes in 
holding the coffee-pot by the spout and handle, tureen 
fahshion, setting it down on the edge of the table, 
and sugar and cup at the opposite end. “ Where is 
the boy?” says master. The kitchen coolie looked him 
full in the face, and, as he did so, his lips parted, 
shewing two beautiful rows of white teeth from ear 
to ear. He then as if ashamed at his boldness, placed 
the fingers of both hands over his teeth, hung down 
his head, and ran off without saying a word. Some 
coffee was now poured out, which was just coloured 
water, and cold. “Ahem,” cogitates master, “but 
the watching had its uses after all ; better to put up 
with it, than with this bad stuff. Mutu, send the 
boy here.” He soon made his appearance, with a 
handkerchief tied over his eye, which, on removal, 
presented an inflamed appearance, but it w^as evident 
there was nothing the matter, or, if there was, the 
root of the ailment proceeded more from shame and 
confusion than anything else. Master then proceeded 
to the medicine- chest, and, carefully avoiding the 
solution of bluestone, picked out a small bottle with a 
glass stopper, which was used as a soothing counter- 
acting effect upon the former, moistened a little lint, 
applied it to the sore eye, and the patient became very 
