Part 15 (1/2)
”Why, of course she will,” a.s.sented Eva Pomeroy; ”she does not have a niece out every mail. I dare say she has already bought you a nice saddle horse. You will be riding every morning, and we can meet and arrange all sorts of jolly picnics and expeditions. I shall come round and look you up as soon as I've unpacked and settled.”
At this moment a heavy bang announced the letting down of the gangway, over which a crowd instantly poured and scattered about the decks.
Among the first to appear aft was an immense individual, wearing a loose tussore suit, a huge pith topee, and a black and yellow c.u.mmerbund. His face, with its great jowl, wide lipless mouth, short chin, and a pair of goggle eyes, was distinctly of the frog type.
”Which of you is Miss Leigh?” he demanded in a loud voice, as he approached the group of girls.
Sophy stood forward and before she could evade the outrage, this ugly fat man had put his hands on her shoulders and given her a smacking kiss on each cheek.
Even in this exciting moment of imminent departure, the circle paused for a moment and stared aghast--such an appalling person to claim and kiss Sophy Leigh! What a frightful shock for the unfortunate girl--whilst the sensations of several young men on the verge of the group are better imagined than described!
Herr Krauss, for his part, had received a surprise of a far more agreeable nature, being entirely unprepared to welcome such a pretty, fas.h.i.+onable young lady, in the character of his wife's niece. Flora had invariably spoken of her relatives as ”ugly, dowdy little things”; but then, she had only known them at the awkward age and, being herself remarkably handsome, was super-critical with regard to beauty.
”Now come along and show me your luggage,” urged Herr Krauss, releasing his new acquaintance, ”and I will see about it. The hand gepack can go in the car.”
With a sense of dazed bewilderment, Sophy took a hasty leave of her friends and prepared to follow her leader. As she kept close behind him, whilst he forced his way through the crowd, she noticed his short, thick neck, and powerful, aggressive shoulders--she also noticed that he allowed her to carry all her parcels herself.
When at last they reached the car, he stepped in with surprising agility and said as he seated himself:
”Now come along, put your things, umbrellas, wraps and parcels here.
My man,” nodding towards a native, ”will look after the heavy baggage.
Better stick your dressing-bag in front, as there is not much room. I take up two shares--ha! ha!”
This remark was painfully true. His burly form occupied most of the back seat, and Sophy with difficulty squeezed herself in beside him.
As they glided slowly away, through the dense throng, she looked about her--her curiosity as raw and eager as that of Shafto.
”What a wonderful, busy place!” she exclaimed. ”I see you have telephones and trams in all directions.”
”Oh, trams!” Krauss echoed contemptuously. ”We have _everything_ in Rangoon; great shops and offices, public buildings, a cathedral, a mosque, theatres, clubs, sawmills, rice mills, banks--oh yes, it's a fine place, and so rich,” and he smacked his lips as he added, ”Burma is the land of opportunity.”
”How is my aunt?” inquired Sophy.
”Only middling--she will be glad to see you, and I expect you will do her good. We live a long way out--in Kokine, where Germans herd together, and I take this chance of a talk. I am a busy man--particularly of late; and time with me means _money_, so I'll tell you what I have to say in as few words as possible.”
Sophy nodded her head in agreeable a.s.sent.
”Some years ago my wife met with a bad accident--a fall, out paper-chasing. It did not seem much at the time, though she lost her nerve; but it came against her later. During the last two or three years her health has broken down; she suffers from chronic neuralgia in head and spine, and for days she lies like a dead woman.”
”Oh, poor Aunt Flora, how very sad!”
”Yes, you may say so. Well, for the last ten years she has had an invaluable maid--Fernanda, a Portuguese half-caste, a treasure, who waited on and nursed her, and took entire charge of the housekeeping.
Fernanda understood my tastes to a T--the curries and stews and blood sausages that I am fond of, and was a rare hand at coffee. Then came a blow! Fernanda made up her silly mind to marry a Scotch engineer and go to Australia. I was at my wits' end the day she gave notice; I said to myself: 'Ach Gott! what can we do? No maids in Rangoon, and meine liebe Flora so helpless!' Then a splendid thought came into my mind--her nieces! Flora is fond of her family and has often talked of your mother, and of you, so I wrote off at once, and--here you are!”
Sophy was about to speak, but he laid a heavy, restraining hand upon her arm and continued:
”There are just one or two little things I wish to say. Your aunt has a clever ayah who knows what to do, and when, she has her attacks I leave her alone--by her own wish. Also, she doesn't like to have her health noticed--though everyone knows that she's more or less an invalid. I believe, if her mind were diverted and occupied she would be better.”
”I'm a pretty good nurse,” began Sophy; ”I've a Red Cross certificate and I like nursing----”
”Oh, that is of no use,” he interrupted impatiently. ”You must nurse her _mind_; amuse her with cards, reading, games, music--that is your job. Well, then there is the housekeeping; you will have to take the place of Fernanda. She looked after the servants, the mending, the stores, and the cooking--you shall, step into _her_ shoes. Of course, it will be an immense responsibility for a young girl.”