No More Learning

Dma Nath. "Give salaam," said the civilian, and there
entered in haste a slender youth, clad in a closely fitting coat of grey
homespun, tight trousers, patent-leather shoes, and a small black velvet
cap. His thin cheek twitched, and his eyes wandered restlessly, for the
young man was evidently nervous and uncomfortable, though striving to
assume a free and easy air.

"Your honor may perhaps remember me," he said in English, and Orde
scanned him keenly.

"I know your face somehow. You belonged to the Shershah district I
think, when I was in charge there? "

"Yes, Sir, my father is writer at Shershah, and your honor gave me a
prize when I was first in the Middle School examination five years ago.
Since then I have prosecuted my studies, and I am now second year's
student in the Mission College--"

"Of course: you are Kedar Nath's son--the boy who said he liked
geography better than play or sugar cakes, and I didn't believe you. How
is your father getting on? "

"He is well, and he sends his salaam, but his circumstances are
depressed, and he also is down on his luck. "

"You learn English idioms at the Mission College, it seems. "

"Yes, sir, they are the best idioms, and my father ordered me to ask
your honor to say a word for him to the present incumbent of your
honor's shoes, the latchet of which he is not worthy to open, and who
knows not Joseph; for things are different at Shershah now, and my
father wants promotion. "

"Your father is a good man, and I will do what I can for him. "

At this point a telegram was handed to Orde, who, after glancing at it,
said he must leave his young friend whom he introduced to Pagett, "a
member of the English House of Commons who wishes to learn about India. "

Orde had scarcely retired with his telegram when Pagett began:

"Perhaps you can tell me something of the National Congress movement?
"

"Sir, it is the greatest movement of modern times, and one in which all
educated men like us must join. All our students are for the Congress. "

"Excepting, I suppose, Mahommedans, and the Christians? " said Pagett,
quick to use his recent instruction.

"These are some mere exceptions to the universal rule. "

"But the people outside the College, the working classes, the
agriculturists; your father and mother, for instance. "

"My mother," said the young man, with a visible effort to bring
himself to pronounce the word, "has no ideas, and my father is not
agriculturist, nor working class; he is of the Kayeth caste; but he had
not the advantage of a collegiate education, and he does not know
much of the Congress. It is a movement for the educated
young-man"--connecting adjective and noun in a sort of vocal hyphen.

"Ah, yes," said Pagett, feeling he was a little off the rails, "and what
are the benefits you expect to gain by it? "

"Oh, sir, everything. England owes its greatness to Parliamentary
institutions, and we should at once gain the same high position in
scale of nations. Sir, we wish to have the sciences, the arts, the
manufactures, the industrial factories, with steam engines, and other
motive powers and public meetings, and debates. Already we have a
debating club in connection with the college, and elect a Mr. Speaker.
Sir, the progress must come. You also are a Member of Parliament and
worship the great Lord Ripon," said the youth, breathlessly, and his
black eyes flashed as he finished his commaless sentences.