himself out of the rank and file. One man is as good as another in
your service believe me. I've seen Simla for more seasons than I
care to think about. Do you suppose men are chosen for
appointments because of their special fitness beforehand? You
have all passed a high test what do you call it? in the beginning,
and, except for the few who have gone altogether to the bad, you
can all work hard. Asking does the rest. Call it cheek, call it
insolence, call it anything you like, but ask! Men argue yes, I know
what men say that a man, by the mere audacity of his request, must
have some good in him. A weak man doesn't say: ''Give me this
and that." He whines: ''Why haven't I been given this and that?" If
you were in the Army, I should say learn to spin plates or play a
tambourine with your toes. As it is ask! You belong to a Service
that ought to be able to command the Channel Fleet, or set a leg at
twenty minutes' notice, and yet you hesitate over asking to escape
from a squashy green district where you admit you are not master.
Drop the Bengal Government altogether. Even Darjiling is a little
out-of-the-way hole. I was there once, and the rents were
extortionate. Assert yourself. Get the Government of India to take
you over. Try to get on the Frontier, where every man has a grand
chance if he can trust himself. Go somewhere! Do something! You
have twice the wits and three times the presence of the men up
here, and, and' Mrs. Hauksbee paused for breath; then continued
'and in any way you look at it, you ought to. You who could go so
far!'

'I don't know,' said Yeere, rather taken aback by the unexpected
eloquence. 'I haven't such a good opinion of myself.'

It was not strictly Platonic, but it was Policy. Mrs. Hauksbee laid