He was able to spell out the print of newspapers, and knew that he had performed the "greatest military exploit of modern times." "My husband wanted the railway," Mrs.Gould said to Sir John in the general murmur of resumed conversations.

"All this brings nearer the sort of future we desire for the country, which has waited for it in sorrow long enough, God knows.

But I will confess that the other day, during my afternoon drive when I suddenly saw an Indian boy ride out of a wood with the red flag of a surveying party in his hand, I felt something of a shock.

The future means change--an utter change.

And yet even here there are simple and picturesque things that one would like to preserve." Sir John listened, smiling.