"_Mujk-ko uth! Pir! Pir!_ (Lift me up! Again! Again!)"
When he saw his mother he ran to her and said:
"Mummie, bad, naughty Badshah won't lift me up."
He suddenly caught sight of the stranger and paused shyly.
"Brian darling, this is a new friend," said his mother, bending down to him. "Won't you shake hands with him?"
The child conquered his shyness with an effort and walked over to Frank, holding out his little hand.
The subaltern gravely shook the proffered hand. The little girl scrambled to her fat little legs and finger in mouth, surveyed him solemnly. Then satisfied with her inspection she toddled forward to him and said:
"With all my heart, you darling," he cried.
This delightful welcome in the dreaded place of exile was inexpressibly cheering. He swung the dainty mite up in his arms and kissed her. She put her arms around his neck and hugged him.
"You little flirt, Eileen," exclaimed her mother laughing. "Now it's Badshah's turn."
She walked to the elephant, a splendid specimen of its race, though it had only one tusk, the right. She held out her hand to it. The long trunk shot out, brushed her fingers and then her cheek with a light touch that was almost a caress. She stroked the trunk affectionately.
Frank, with the baby girl seated on his shoulder, stepped forward and extended his hand. The animal smelt it and then laid its trunk for a moment on his free shoulder.
"Badshah accepts you, Mr. Wargrave," said Mrs. Dermot seriously. "And there are few whom he takes to readily."
Eileen, with one arm around Frank's neck, stretched out the other to the elephant.
The snake-like trunk lingered caressingly on her golden head. The baby caught and kissed it.
"Now then, chickies, time for bed," said their mother. "Say goodnight to Badshah."
The little boy ran to the great animal and hugged its leg tightly, while the snaky trunk touched the child's face affectionately.
"Come along, Brian. Let him go now"; and at his mother's bidding the boy released his clasp and ran to her.
"Goodnight, Badshah. _Salaam_!" said Mrs. Dermot, waving her hand to the mammoth, while her little daughter on Wargrave's shoulder imitated her.
The big animal raised its trunk in salute and, turning, walked with swaying stride out of sight behind the bungalow.