Page:The Wreck.djvu/197

THE WRECK

193

fortunate servant whom he considered at fault. The

man protested in vain that he had not anticipated that tea would be ordered before the usual hour. Annada Babu trumpeted forth his unalterable conviction that present-day servants had ideas above their station, and that his own staff required a special attendant to arouse them from their beauty-sleep.

The boiling water was produced without further de- lay. Instead, however, of sipping his tea with his usual deliberation while he smacked his lips over the flavour and chatted to his daughter, Annada Babu began to drain his cup with unnecessary haste.

"Are you in a hurry to go out, dad?" asked Hem- nalini in surprise.

"Oh, no! w^hen the weather is cold I like to drink my tea straight off; the hot tea brings out the sweat and does one good," replied her father; but before the desired perspiration appeared Jogendra entered the room with Akshay at his heels.

Akshay had bestowed special attention on his toilet; he flaunted a silver-mounted walking-stick, and a hand- some watch-chain adorned his bosom ; in his left hand he carried a book in a brown paper wrapping. In- stead of taking his usual place at the table he drew a chair up beside Hemnalini's and observed with a smirk, "Your clock is fast to-day."

Hemnalini neither looked in his direction nor vouch- safed any reply.

"Hem, dear, let us go upstairs," said Annada Babu, "we must put my winter clothes out in the sun."

"You needn't be in such a hurry, dad," expostulated Jogendra, "the sun won't run away. Hem, won't you pour out a cup of tea for Akshay? I want some too, but visitors first, you know!"

Akshay laughed and turned to Hemnalini. "Did you ever see such self-sacrifice? He's a regular Sir Philip Sidney !"

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