Well, they'll finish your education in Rajpoor.
I don't mean to stay in Rajpoor, it is too English. I want to get into Upper Bhojâl among the hills.
[_Looking hard at him, then turning a little towards_ ELIZABETH.] Capital! Capital! My pet tribes! Yes, I wondered if you meant that in your letter.
[_Calmly, as though to herself and stating a fact._] You will never be able to get there.
Have you met my Aunt Elizabeth, Mr. Adene. [_To_ ELIZABETH.] Or am I to say "Cousin"?
Well, I'm only a second or third cousin at the best, dear.
[_Comes down and shakes hands with_ ADENE _who rises_.
[_To_ ELIZABETH.] I have a Bhojâli acquaintance who will go with me.
You realise the geography, do you? Lower Bhojâl of course, is British, and part of the province of Rajpoor.
Annexed by you! Yes, that is where my man comes from.
The Upper Country is almost inaccessible, and quite cut off from communication. Koreb's rebels fled there.
My man has relations in the Upper Country.
I shouldn't depend much on that. However, if you're only well disguised and avoid speaking----
I must _speak_! It is information I go for!
Oh, it is not the place for information. They have no writings, and no one village knows anything of another.
There must be local traditions, and if I question them----
If you question them they will shoot you. I knew an American killed there for pressing a Bhojâli to tell his children's names.
[_Coming across to him._] But, Father, you've travelled over all that country yourself!
[_To_ VERA.] Yes, child, but it does not follow that another man can! [_Turning to_ ADENE _with change of manner from proud to pleasant_.] Perhaps you've not heard how they have shrines built to me there and offer sacrifices to one of my old swords.
Yes, I know. Like Nicholson in the Mutiny. Had you to persecute your worshippers as he did?
[_Laughing._] Yes, of course I will, and tokens to the tribesmen too, which will be more to the purpose.
Well, with your letters and tokens, when they had that devotion to you----
[_Turning sharply._] Do you think it was from love they didn't touch me? The account you will get of me there is not what you'll get at Exeter Hall.
Surely it was at bottom because of your fairness, because you stood by the weak?