‘Then you must say that William’s worth her weight in gold,’ said Mrs. Jim.  ’I don’t know what we should have done without her.  She has been everything to us.’  She dropped her hand upon William’s, which was rough with much handling of reins, and William patted it softly.  Jim beamed on the company.  Things were going well with his world.  Three of his more grossly incompetent men had died, and their places had been filled by their betters.  Every day brought the rains nearer.  They had put out the famine in five of the Eight Districts, and, after all, the death-rate had not been too heavy—­things considered.  He looked Scott over carefully, as an ogre looks over a man, and rejoiced in his thews and iron-hard condition.

‘He’s just the least bit in the world tucked up,’ said Jim to himself, ‘but he can do two men’s work yet.’  Then he was aware that Mrs. Jim was telegraphing to him, and according to the domestic code the message ran:  ‘A clear case.  Look at them!’

He looked and listened.  All that William was saying was:  ’What can you expect of a country where they call a bhistee [a water-carrier] a tunni-cutch?’ and all that Scott answered was:  ’I shall be precious glad to get back to the Club.  Save me a dance at the Christmas ball, won’t you?’

‘It’s a far cry from here to the Lawrence Hall,’ said Jim.  ’Better turn in early, Scott.  It’s paddy-carts to-morrow; you’ll begin loading at five.’

‘Aren’t you going to give Mr. Scott one day’s rest?’

’Wish I could, Lizzie.  ’Fraid I can’t.  As long as he can stand up we must use him.’

’Well, I’ve had one Europe evening, at least ...  By Jove, I’d nearly forgotten!  What do I do about those babies of mine?’

‘Leave them here,’ said William—­’we are in charge of that—­and as many goats as you can spare.  I must learn how to milk now.’

’If you care to get up early enough to-morrow I’ll show you.  I have to milk, you see; and, by the way, half of em have beads and things round their necks.  You must be careful not to take ’em off, in case the mothers turn up.’

‘You forget I’ve had some experience here.’

‘I hope to goodness you won’t overdo.’  Scott’s voice was unguarded.

‘I’ll take care of her,’ said Mrs. Jim, telegraphing hundred-word messages as she carried William off, while Jim gave Scott his orders for the coming campaign.  It was very late—­nearly nine o’clock.

‘Jim, you’re a brute,’ said his wife, that night; and the Head of the Famine chuckled.

’Not a bit of it, dear I remember doing the first Jandiala Settlement for the sake of a girl in a crinoline; and she was slender, Lizzie.  I’ve never done as good a piece of work since. He’ll work like a demon.’

‘But you might have given him one day.’

’And let things come to a head now?  No, dear; it’s their happiest time.’

’I don’t believe either of the dears know what’s the matter with them.  Isn’t it beautiful?  Isn’t it lovely?’