But Tess discovered when the day came that no American can scandalize
the English. They simply don't expect an American to know bow to
behave, and Tom Tripe and his marvelous performing dog were accepted
and approved of as sincerely as the real American ice-cream soda--
and forgotten as swiftly the morning following.

The commissioner was actually glad to meet Tripe in the circumstances.
If the man should suppose that because Sir Roland Samson and a judge
of appeal engaged in a three-cornered conversation with him at a garden
party, therefore either of them would speak to the maharajah's drill-master
when next they should meet in public, he might guess again, that was all.

One of the things the commissioner asked Tripe was whether he was
responsible for the mounting of palace guards--of course not improperly
inquisitive about the maharajah's personal affairs but anxious to seem
interested in the fellow's daily round, since just then one couldn't avoid him.

"In a manner, and after a fashion, yes, sir. I'm responsible that routine
goes on regularly and that the men on duty know their business."

"Ah. Nothing like responsibility. Good for a man. Some try to avoid it,
but it's good. So you look after the guard on all the palaces? The
Princess Yasmini's too, eh? Well, well; I can imagine that might be
nervous work. They say that young lady is--! Eh, Tripe?"

"I couldn't say, sir. My duties don't take me inside the palace."

"Now, now, Tripe! No use trying to look innocent! They tell me she's
a handful and you encourage her!"