Then he looked carelessly at Shere Ali.
"It is hoped that you will marry and settle down as soon as possible," he said.
Shere Ali reined in his horse, stared for a moment at his companion and then began quietly to laugh.

The laughter was not pleasant to listen to, and it grew harsher and louder.

But it brought no change to the tired face of the Commissioner, who had stopped his horse beside Shere Ali's and was busy with the buckle of his stirrup leather.

He raised his head when the laughter stopped.

And it stopped as abruptly as it had begun.
"You were saying--" he remarked politely.
"That I would like, if there is time, to ride through the Bazaar." "Certainly," said the Commissioner.