In fact, she fancied that she knew more than the man did; but his careless indifference to the personal hazard pleased her.

She noticed that he had spoken naturally, as he felt, without any idea of producing an effect on her.
"What is the result of that kind of work ?" she asked.
"The result ?" queried Kinnaird, with a puzzled air.

"A battalion of thick-headed niggers with some slight knowledge of civilized drill, and, perhaps, a few stockades blown up in the bush." Then, as he saw the half-veiled amusement in her eyes, a light seemed to break in on him.
"If one managed the thing efficiently, it would, perhaps, lead to the offer of a second-rate semi-administrative post somewhere else in the tropics, though I believe the emoluments are not what one could call liberal." "That is all ?" "Yes," said Kinnaird.

"I'm afraid one couldn't expect anything further." Ida smiled rather curiously.

She liked the man, but it was clear that his mental capacity had its limits.