'My first leave.

A kind of paralysis overtakes one here.

Last time I went for the grouse.' He glanced at me with his light clear eyes as if for the first time he encountered a difficulty.
'It's a magnificent country for painting,' he said.
'But not for pictures,' I rejoined.

He paid no attention, staring at the ground and twisting one end of his moustache.
'The sun on those old marble tombs--broad sun and sand--' 'You mean somewhere about Delhi.' 'I couldn't get anywhere near it.' He was not at that moment anywhere near me.

'But I have thought out a trick or two--I mean to have another go when it cools off again down there.' He returned with a smile, and I saw how delicate his face was.