"It is not so among the men, or at any rate to a very much smaller
extent. Of course, some men are pompous fools, but, as a rule, if
two men meet, and both are gentlemen, they care nothing as to what
their respective ranks may be. A man may be a lord or a doctor, a
millionaire or a struggling barrister, but they meet on equal terms
in society; but out here it is certainly not so among the women
--they stand upon their husband's dignity in a way that would be
pitiable if it were not exasperating. Of course, there are plenty
of good women among them, as there are everywhere--women whom
even India can't spoil; but what with exclusiveness, and with the
amount of admiration and adulation they get, and what with the
want of occupation for their thoughts and minds, it is very hard
for them to avoid getting spoilt."
"Well, I hope I shan't get spoilt, Doctor; and I hope, if you see
that I am getting spoilt, you will make a point of telling me so
at once."
The Doctor grunted. "Theoretically, people are always ready to receive
good advice, Miss Hannay; practically they are always offended by
it. However, in your case I will risk it, and I am bound to say
that hitherto you have proved yourself more amenable in that way
than most young women I have come across."
"And now, if we have done, we will go out on the veranda," the
Major said. "I am sure the Doctor must be dying for a cheroot."
"The Doctor has smoked pretty continuously since we left Allahabad,"
Isobel said.
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