“What is this?”
“A name we give him in Lahore city. ‘ The Friend of all the World takes leave to go to his own places. He will come back upon the appointed day. Let the box and the bedding-roll be sent for; and if there has been a fault, let the Hand of Friendship turn aside the Whip of Calamity. ’ There is yet a little more, but—”
“No matter, read.”
“ ‘ Certain things are not known to those who eat with forks. It is better to eat with both hands for a while. Speak soft words to those who do not understand this that the return may be propitious. ’ Now the manner in which that was cast is, of course, the work of the letter-writer, but see how wisely the boy has devised the matter of it so that no hint is given except to those who know!”
“Is this the Hand of Friendship to avert the Whip of Calamity?” laughed the Colonel.
“See how wise