The old man maintained a
respectful attitude toward her, which pointed to a great difference
of caste between them. The woman showed by her small hands and feet,
and the nobility of her expression, the modest and yet dignified
character of a lady, rather than of a person in a subordinate
position. Both wore Indian dress, and attracted great attention when
they showed themselves in the street. They hardly ever went out,
however, and were always busily employed in service for Dr.
Schrotter, to whom they were very devoted.
The old man, who spoke a little English, opened the door to him, and
told him that Schrotter Sahib would soon be in. The woman also
appeared, and beckoned to him to go and wait in the drawing-room,
opening the door as she did so. As he went in she crossed her arms
on her breast, bowed her head with its golden-colored silk turban,
and vanished noiselessly. She only spoke Hindustani, and always
greeted Wilhelm in this expressive manner.
The drawing-room, in which Wilhelm walked restlessly up and down,
was full of Indian things; oriental carpets on the floor, low divans
along the walls covered with gold embroidery and heaped with
cushions, rocking-chairs in the corners, punkahs hanging from the
ceilings--no heavy European furniture anywhere, but here and there a
little toy-like table or stool made of sandalwood or ebony, inlaid
with silver or mother-o'-pearl.
Pages:
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158