There was a moment's pause, and the Indian's face appeared at a window.

"Beloved lady!" he said.

"Guru dear, I want to introduce a friend of mine to you," she said.
"This is Mr Pillson, and when you know him a little better you will
call him Georgie."

"Beloved lady, I know him very well indeed. I see into his clear white
soul. Peace be unto you, my friend."

"Isn't he marvellous? Fancy!" said Mrs Quantock, in an aside.

Georgie raised his hat very politely.

"How do you do?" he said. (After his quiet practice he would have said
"How do you do Guru?" but it rhymed in a ridiculous manner and his red
lips could not frame the word.)

"I am always well," said the Guru, "I am always young and well because
I follow the Way."

"Sixty at least he tells me," said Mrs Quantock in a hissing aside,
probably audible across the channel, "and he thinks more, but the years
make no difference to him. He is like a boy. Call him 'Guru.'"

"Guru,--" began Georgie.

"Yes, my friend."