“I believe it’s the same,” replied Goddard.  “He knows these jungles well and did a lot of shooting in them.  He bagged that budmash (rogue) elephant that killed so many people.  You heard of it.  He chased the brute for a fortnight.”

“That’s the man,” said Payne.  “I’m glad he’s back.  We used to be rather pals and stay with each other.”

“Oh, do ask him again, Mr. Payne, and bring him to the club,” chimed in Mrs. Rice.  “It would be such a pleasant change to have some of the officers here.  They are so nice, such men of the world.”

A smile went round the table.  All were so used to the lady’s tactless remarks that they only amused.  They had long lost the power to irritate.

“I’m afraid Dermot wouldn’t suit you, Mrs. Rice,” said Payne laughing.  “He’s not a lady’s man.”

“Indeed?  Is he married?” she asked.

“No, he hasn’t that reason to dislike your sex.  At least, he wasn’t married when I knew him.  I wonder how he’s escaped, for he’s very well off for a man in the Indian Army and heir to an uncle who is a baronet.  Good-looking chap, too.  Clever beggar, well read and a good soldier, I believe.  He has a wonderful way with animals.  I had a pony that was a regular mad beast.  It killed one syce and savaged another.  It nearly did for me.  I sent it to Dermot, and in a week he had it eating out of his hand.”

“He seems an Admiral what-d’you-call-him—­you know, that play they had in town about a wonderful butler,” said Mrs. Rice.

“Admirable Crichton, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, that was the name.  Well, your Major seems a wonderful chap,” she said.  “Do ask him.  Perhaps he’ll bring some of his officers here.”

“I hope he won’t, Mrs. Rice,” remarked Goddard.  “If he does, it’s evident that none of us will have a look in with you.”

She smirked, well pleased, as she caught Noreen’s eye and rose from the table.

Sets of tennis were arranged and the game was soon in full swing.  Some of the men walked round to the back of the building to select a spot to be cleared to make a polo ground.  Others gathered at the bar to chat.

Noreen had a small court round her, Chunerbutty clinging closely to her all the afternoon, to her secret annoyance.  For whenever he accompanied her to the club he seemed to make a point of emphasising the friendly terms on which they were for the benefit of all beholders.  As a matter of fact he did so purposely, because he knew that it annoyed all the other men of the community to see him apparently on intimate terms with the girl.

On the afternoon, when at her request he had gone out to the back verandah to tell her servants to prepare tea, he called to her across the club and addressed her by her Christian name.  Noreen took it to be an accidental slip, but she fancied that it made Mrs. Rice smile unpleasantly and several of the men regard her curiously.