John Galsworthy

“ The General was an old man; he stooped slightly and walked slowly, and his eyes, that looked like those of an old dog, gazed curiously ever and anon from under his shaggy eyebrows at the small brown urchin tramping at his side. They reached the gates of the park before he had in the least made up his mind what course to pursue with this strange little mortal. As they were crossing the Mall towards St James's Palace, a new idea struck Tally Ho ”

“ In time, and by dint of much circuitous marching and counter-marching, escaping with many a dodge and device the rumbling onslaught of 'busses, and the 'scorching' attack of bicycles, they reached the black hole known to the Westerns as Charing Cross Station. The interview between Kotah Lal and the ticket clerk ended satisfactorily in his obtaining tickets for not more than two stations further than their destination. Armed with these, the Hindu secured Tally Ho by the arm, and descended gravely to the platform. ”

“ But the Doctor Sahib on the big ship did tell me that in this country there be a great and bad spirit called Indi-Gesti-Un, who pursues men to their undoing, so that they run ever faster to escape.'
'Where does he live, Kotah Lal?' said Tally Ho, concernedly. ”

“ But you can't have those ducks; they belong to the Queen!'
'Dod bless her!' said Tally Ho, raising his hat abstractedly, for his attention had wandered to the stick with the skull handle in the General's hand. 'Velly plitty 'tick,' he murmured to himself, 'my will walkle wid 'oo, if 'oos not tired,' he added aloud considerately to the stranger.
'Gawd bless me!' said the dumfoundered General. 'He'd take command of a division for two pins! Gentleman though—Indian—know the breed. Wonder who he is—seems lost—never mind, take him along—pump him—no fool. Come along Mr—Tally Ho, Sir ”

“ The latter, too well bred to show the transports of joy swelling in his small bosom, halted, salaamed profoundly, and after hugging the stick, which was at least as tall as himself, heaved it over his shoulder, and marched manfully on. ”

“ Tally Ho stared from one to the other; were they talking of him? He inclined to think so.
'My's losted,' he said to the crony; 'my's Daddy's Number One mud-and-water soldier in de Deyra Dhun.'
At this precise moment his curry arrived, and no further information did he volunteer, for, as he had remarked, he was 'velly empty.'
'I have it,' said the crony, 'waiter! fetch me an Army List. Number One mud-and-water soldier is pigeon-English for commanding engineer. Here you are,' he continued, triumphantly, 'R.E. Majors, Blount, F. Standing. ”

“ The owner thereof was now well up the staircase, and twinkling over the bridge in pursuit of the Dandie.
'You impident person!' said the choleric dame, 'holland breeks indeed!'
'Now then, ma'am, don't you give me none of your bluff—Holland breeks it is, and a smudgy seat at that,—py up please, if you y'nt got no ticket.'
'But I tell you I haven't got any children; I'm a single woman ”