RETURN TO KHETRI


The isolation of their life in Khetri had been at times a great
trial to both Dr. Swain and Miss Pannell, but they felt that they
were where God wanted them to be and bore their privations
bravely. However, at this time Dr. Swain wrote: "After eighteen
months of the religious life of America and the many precious
privileges enjoyed there, it seems harder to settle down to the
life here. I miss the church services much more than I did when I
was here before." At another time she wrote: "I have sometimes
felt tempted to give up my work here, but then the thought comes
to me that I can do more by remaining here, and paying the salary
of a native preacher to do what I should never be able to do."

A second princess had been born during Dr. Swain's absence from
Khetri. This occasioned close attendance at the palace, as the
baby was delicate, and Dr. Swain had an opportunity for Bible
study with the Rani who enjoyed nothing more than an hour of daily
study of the Scriptures. The older princess, too, was ready with a
new Bible verse every day, and a Sunday service was held in the
Rani's apartments, at which the women of the court and their
attendants were present. The Sunday Bible class at the home was
not neglected; it increased in interest and numbers, some of the
more intelligent of the Rajah's staff occasionally joining the
company and listening with interest to the hymns and the reading
of the Scriptures.