basket and lighting a neat little travelling-stove, preparatory to making tea with their English water and condensed milk.
I left Ermyntrude seated on my biggest trunk, daintily pulling up her skirts out of the way of a crowd of disreputable-looking coolies waiting for the job of putting the luggage into the Slumpanugger train, and went off to send that telegram. The aunts had talked of nothing but their nephew and their plans all day so there was no difficulty that way.
'Aunt Martha, Aunt Jane, and Aunt Anne arriving Allahabad to-morrow,' I wrote, 'and Mehernugger on Monday.'
I guessed that would give him a bit of a shock. The only fear was that he might think it a joke, and take no notice of it. Anyway, I couldn't help it. The only difficulty was, what should I sign it? I've such a contempt for anonymous people, so I felt I must put something. Yet to put my own name didn't seem quite right and proper. Suddenly I had an inspiration. Ermyntrude should sign it. I went over to her at once.
'Will you please sign this, Ermyntrude?' I asked, giving her the form.
She read it carefully through from beginning to end. Ermyntrude is eminently cautious.
'I suppose it's all right, miss,' she asked doubtfully, as she signed it. 'It won't bring me within the arm of the law?'
'No, it won't bring you within the arm of the law, I 'said mock-seriously. Ermyntrude always
