It was not until we were actually in port that the Colonel recovered
and I came into touch with him. Standing by the rail we took advantage
of the liberty to speak together, which on a ship such propinquity
sanctions. After we had exchanged a few remarks about the clumsiness
of the disembarking arrangements I referred to the man of mystery and
turpitude, and asked for particulars of some of his milder offences.
"Why do you suppose him such a blackguard?" he asked.
"But surely----" I began, a little disconcerted.
"He's a man," the Colonel continued, "that everyone should be sorry
for. He's a wreck, and he's going home now probably to receive his
death sentence."
This was a promising phrase and I cheered up a little, but only for a
moment.
"That poor devil," said the Colonel, "as I told Mrs. King earlier in
the voyage, has the worst liver in India."
E. V. L.
A VACILLATING POLICY.
(_A Warning against dealing with Disreputable Companies._)
When the Man of Insurance made his rounds
I "covered" my house for a thousand pounds;
Then someone started a fire in the grounds
At the end of a wild carouse.
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