"
"Yes; he's a friend of mine, and one of the straightest men I know.
I suppose, like many Anglo-Indians, he felt it was hopeless to give
you any just idea of any Indian question without the documents
before you, and in this case the documents you want are the
country and the people."
"Precisely. That was why I came straight to you, bringing an open
mind to bear on things. I'm anxious to know what popular feeling
in India is really like y'know, now that it has wakened into political
life. The National Congress, in spite of Dawlishe, must have
caused great excitement among the masses?"
"On the contrary, nothing could be more tranquil than the state of
popular feeling; and as to excitement, the people would as soon be
excited over the 'Rule of Three' as over the Congress."
"Excuse me, Orde, but do you think you are a fair judge? Isn't the
official Anglo-Indian naturally jealous of any external influences
that might move the masses, and so much opposed to liberal ideas,
truly liberal ideas, that he can scarcely be expected to regard a
popular movement with fairness?"
"What did Dawlishe say about Tommy Rot? Think a moment,
old man. You and I were brought up together; taught by the same
tutors, read the same books, lived the same life, and new
languages, and work among new races; while you, more fortunate,
remain at home.
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