for Eastern potentates. It was true he regarded the difference between
a contract and direct employment as merely a question of degree,
and a quibble in any case, and he felt pretty sure that the Blaines would
not risk the maharajah's unchancy friendship by dismissing himself;
but he suspected there were limits. He could not imagine why, but he
had noticed that insolence to Blaine himself was fairly safe, Blaine being
super-humanly indifferent as long as Mrs. Blaine was shown respect,
even exceeding the English in the absurd length to which he carried it.
It was a mad world in Chamu's opinion. He went and fetched the hamal,
who slunk through his task with the air of a condemned felon. Tess
smiled at the man for encouragement, but Chamu's instant jealousy
was so obvious that she regretted the mistake.

"Now call up the beggars and feed them," she ordered.

"Feed them? They will not eat. It is contrary to caste."

"Nonsense. They have no caste. Bring bread and feed them."

"There is no bread of the sort they will eat."

"I know exactly what you mean. If I give them bread there's no profit
for you--they'll eat it all; but if I give them money you'll exact a commission
from them of one pesa in five. Isn't that so? Go and bring the bread."

He decided to turn the set-back into at any rate a minor victory and went
in person to the kitchen for chupatties such as the servants ate. Then,
returning to the top of the steps he intimated that the earth-defilers
might draw near and receive largesse, contriving the impression that
it was by his sole favor the concession was obtained. Two of them