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like the liquid eyes of a dog.
‘Ah, my friend! If I should but be elected! What an end to all my troubles! But, my friend, ass I said
before, do not be too rash in this matter. Beware of U Po Kyin! By now he will have numbered you
among hiss enemies. And even for you hiss enmity can be a danger.’
‘Oh, good Lord, he can’t touch me. He’s done nothing so far–only a few silly anonymous letters.’
‘I would not be too sure. He hass subtle ways to strike. And for sure he will raise heaven and earth
to keep me from being elected to the Club. If you have a weak spot, guard it, my friend. He will find it
out. He strikes always at the weakest spot.’
‘Like the crocodile,’ Flory suggested.
‘Like the crocodile,’ agreed the doctor gravely. ‘Ah but, my friend, how gratifying to me if I should
become a member of your European Club! What an honour, to be the associate of European
gentlemen! But there iss one other matter, Mr Flory, that I did not care to mention before. It iss–I hope
this iss clearly understood–that I have no intention of using the Club in any way. Membership iss all I
desire. Even if I were elected, I should not, of course, ever presume to come to the Club.’
‘Not come to the Club?’
‘No, no! Heaven forbid that I should force my society upon the European gentlemen! Simply I
should pay my subscriptions. That, for me, iss a privilege high enough. You understand that, I trust?’
‘Perfectly, doctor, perfectly.’
Flory could not help laughing as he walked up the hill. He was definitely committed now to
proposing the doctor’s election. And there would be such a row when the others heard of it–oh, such
a devil of a row! But the astonishing thing was that it only made him laugh. The prospect that would
have appalled him a month back now almost exhilarated him.
Why? And why had he given his promise at all? It was a small thing, a small risk to take–nothing
heroic about it–and yet it was unlike him. Why, after all these years–the circumspect, pukka sahib-like
years–break all the rules so suddenly?
He knew why. It was because Elizabeth, by coming into his life, had so changed it and renewed it
that all the dirty, miserable years might never have passed. Her presence had changed the whole orbit
of his mind. She had brought back to him the air of England–dear England, where thought is free and
one is not condemned forever to dance the danse du pukka sahib for the edification of the lower
races. Where is the life that late I led? he thought. Just by existing she had made it possible for him,
she had even made it natural to him, to act decently.
Where is the life that late I led? he thought again as he came through the garden gate. He was happy,
happy. For he had perceived that the pious ones are right when they say that there is salvation and life
can begin anew. He came up the path, and it seemed to him that his house, his flowers, his servants,
all the life that so short a time ago had been drenched in ennui and homesickness, were somehow
made new, significant, beautiful inexhaustibly. What fun it could all be, if only you had someone to
share it with you! How you could love this country, if only you were not alone! Nero was out on the
path, braving the sun for some grains of paddy that the mali had dropped, taking food to his goats. Flo
made a dash at him, panting, and Nero sprang into the air with a flurry and lighted on Flory’s