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"You're a Brahman, aren't you?" the stranger went on. "Good-morning to you. Your name is Ramesh Babu; that much I know already. In our country, you see, asking a man's name is the first step to acquaintance, so it's really an act of courtesy, but nowadays it offends some people. If you're offended you must repay the insult with interest ! You've only to ask me and I'll tell you my own name and my father's name too. In fact I shan't mind telling you my grandfather's name!"

Ramesh laughed. "I'm not so deeply offended as all that! If you tell me your own name I'll be quite satisfied."

"My name is Trailakya Chakrabartti, and I'm known to every one up-river as 'Uncle.' You've read your history I suppose? Bharata was 'King Chakrabartti'—that means 'Emperor' — of Hindustan, and in the same way I'm 'Uncle Chakrabartti' of the whole west-country. You're sure to hear all about me when you go west. By the way, sir, where are you bound for ?"

"I haven't decided yet where to leave the steamer."

Trailakya "You're in no hurry to decide where to disembark. When it's a question of embarking, one has to decide in a hurry!"

"I heard the steamer whistle as I left the train at Goalundo. I realised then that she wouldn't wait till I made up my mind where I was going. So I employed haste where haste was essential."

Trailakya, "I take off my hat to you, sir; you're the sort of man whom I admire. You and I are the exact opposite. I have to make up my mind before I go on board a steamer because I'm an irresolute sort of person. I respect a man who can make up his mind to start though he doesn't know where he's bound for. Is your wife on board, sir?"

Ramesh felt a momentary scruple against answering this question in the affirmative.