**  The  first  evening  pas^d  away  ixk  C(»nparar
tive  happiness ;  but  the  p^fid  chee^L  imd
sunken  eye  of  the  girl  whoS6  {dace  I  was  to
occupy  struck  me  to  th^  Very  heart,  young  as  I


84  THE  INDIAMAXf

waB,  i^^hilst  the  insufferable  smell  of  tohaec^
and  snuffy  and  the  sight  of  a  ra^ed  shirt  which
was  drying  by. the  fire  over  the  back  of  a  chair,
dispelled  all  hope  of  future  comfort ;  so  that  I
looked  with  regret  upon  my  dean  white  apron,
in  the  anticipation  as  to  what  would  be  the
Colour  of  it  that  day  week,  and  with  th^  shiver-
ing reflection  that  I  had  but  one  soUtaiy  change
in  the  world

^*  The  following  morning  was  ushered  in
before  six  by  the  stentorian  voice  of  my  land-
lady, vociferating  for  *  poor  Polly  ;*  so  up  I  got^
with  a  pain  in  every  bone,  fix>m  the  hardness  of
my  bed  of  flocks,  to  light  the  fire,  and  prepare
break&sts  for  the  tribe  of  occupants  of  the  dif-
ferent rooms  which  were  let  In  this,  however,
I  was  agreeably  disappointed,  for  the  landlady,
with  a  gracious  smile,  informed  me,  that  the
genUemen  generally  remained  in  bed  until  the
middle  of  the  day;  that  bieak&st  and  an  early
dinner  might  answer  for  one  and  the  same
thing;  and  that  nothing  was  required  but  tg


take  up  seven  cups  of  coffee,  ii^hich  she  would
pour  out,  and  leave  them  on  the  landing-place,
first  floor,  after  ringing  a  bell  to  smnmon  the
lodgers. I  was  always  given  to  curiosity  when
a  child ;  so,  after  ringing  the  bell,  I  retired  into
a  spare-room,  and  to  my  surprise  saw  seven
men,  some  firom  up-stairs,  and  some  firom  down,
all  congregate  to  the  coffee ;  and  each  snatch-
ing  a  cup,  retire  the  way  he  came. 