I will write to Hunter to pick us
out the best of the empty bungalows, and see that our fellows get
to work to clean the place up as soon as they arrive. We shall be
two days on the march, and things will be pretty forward by the
time we get there."
"And where shall we sleep on the march?"
"In tents, my dear, and very comfortable you will find them. Rumzan
will go with us, and you will find everything go on as smoothly as
if you were here. Tent life in India is very pleasant. Next year,
in the cool season, we will do an excursion somewhere, and I am
sure you will find it delightful: they don't know anything about
the capabilities of tents at home."
"Then do I quite understand, uncle, that all I have got to do is
to make a round of calls to say goodby to everyone?"
"That is all. You will find a lot of my cards in one of those pigeon
holes; you may as well drop one wherever you go. Shall I order a
carriage from Framjee's for today?"
"No, I think not, uncle; I will go round to our own bungalows first,
and hear what Mrs. Doolan and the others think about it."
At Mrs. Doolan's Isobel found quite an assembly. Mrs. Rintoul had
come in almost in tears, and the two young lieutenants had dropped
in with Captain Doolan, while one or two other officers had come
round to commiserate with Mrs. Doolan.
"Another victim," the latter said, as Isobel entered.
"You look too cheerful, Miss Hannay. I find that we are expected
to wear sad countenances at our approaching banishment.
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