the hot weather a boy sits outside and pulls the punkah to and fro with
a rope. In this way he makes a little breeze, which keeps the room cool.

7. The roof of the house juts out all round and is held up by pillars.
We sit outside, under the roof, whenever we can. During the heat of the
day we must stay indoors.

8. The garden round the house is very large. There are many tall palm
trees in it. Some of the other trees bear most beautiful blossoms of
crimson, yellow, and blue. All along the front of the house are many
flowerpots, in which roses and other English flowers are growing.

9. A few days ago little Hugh came to me and asked if he might show me
what he called "the compound." I said "Yes." So he took my hand and led
me away.

10. First he showed me the gardener. He is a short, dark man, and he
squats down to do his work. He is a very good gardener, and he is proud
of his flowers. Every morning he comes to the house with a flower for
Hugh's father and mother and uncle.

[Illustration: {Gardener at work}]

11. Next, Hugh took me to see the well. It is behind the house. The
mouth of the well is on the top of a mound. To reach it you must walk up
a sloping road. Above the mouth of the well there is a wheel.

12. A rope runs over this wheel. At one end of the rope there is a large
leather bag. The other end of the rope is fastened to the necks of a
pair of bullocks.