64 WITH HITCHENEK IH THE SOUDAH On leaving the hotel Gregory at once madf" all his purchases, so as to get them off his mind, and then arranged for the horse in the morning. Then he went home and told the old servant the change that had taken place in his position.

An d now what about yourself, what would you like to do?”

I am too old to go up with you and cook for you.” “Yes, indeed,” he laughed, “we shall be doing long marches. But it is not your age so much. As an officer it would be impossible for me to have a female servant.

Besides, you want quiet and rest. I have been round to the landlord to tell him that I am going away, and to pay him a month’s rent instead of notice. I should think the best way would be for you to take a large room for yourself, or two rooms not so large—one of them for you to live in, and the other to store everything there is here. I know that you will look after them and keep them well. Of course you will pick out all the things that you can use in your room. It will be very lonely for you living all by yourself, but you know numbers of people here, and you might engage a girl to stay with you for some small wages and her food. hTow you must think over what your food and hers will cost, and the rent. Of course, I want you to live comfortably; you have always been a friend rather than a servant, and my mother had the greatest trust in you.”

“You are very good. Master Gregory. While you have been away to-day, I have been thinking over what I should do when you went away. I have a friend who comes in once a week with fruit and vegetables. Last year, you know, I went out with her and stayed a day. She has two boys who work in the garden, and a girl. She came in to-day, and I said to her : My young master is going away to the Soudan, what do you say to my coming and living with you when he has gone? I can cook, and do all about the house, and help a little in the garden; and I have saved enough money to pay for my share of food.’ She said, ‘ I should like that very