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Kipling, Rudyard, 1865-1936

"From Mine Own People"


Blayne. Supposing things are as you say, he'll be a fool to face her. He'll sit
tight at Simla.
Anthony. "Shouldn't be a bit surprised if he went off to Naini to explain. He's
an unaccountable sort of man, and she's likely to be a more than unaccountable
woman.
Doone. What makes you take her character away so confidently?
Anthony. Primum tempus. Caddy was her first and a woman doesn't allow her first
man to drop away without expostulation. She justifies the first transfer of
affection to herself by swearing that it is forever and ever. Consequently--
Blayne. Consequently, we are sitting here till past one o'clock, talking
scandal like a set of Station cats. Anthony, it's all your fault. We were
perfectly respectable till you came in. Go to bed. I'm off, Good night all.
Curtiss. Past one! It's past two by Jove, and here's the khit coming for the
late charge. Just Heavens! One, two, three, four, five rupees to pay for the
pleasure of saying that a poor little beast of a woman is no better than she
should be. I'm ashamed of myself. Go to bed, you slanderous villains, and if
I'm sent to Beora tomorrow, be prepared to hear I'm dead before paying my card
account!
THE TENTS OF KEDAR
Only why should it be with pain at all?
Why must I 'twixt the leaves of coronal
Put any kiss of pardon on thy brow?
Why should the other women know so much,
And talk together--Such the look and such
The smile he used to love with, then as now.


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