text:  She asked many questions in English and talked a great deal from which I inferred that she had at last discovered my meaning but five minutes had hardly elapsed when she re-appeared bearing in her hand a bottle of water filled with apple-parings cut in the nicest manner imaginable! This she placed on the table in the most respectful manner and then retired!" The good lady however conceiving that her guest was in danger of perishing with hunger was benevolently importunate with him to partake of some nourishment or at least of some tea and toast "since it is the custom in this country for every one to eat five times a-day and some among the wealthy are not satisfied even with this!" The arrival of an English acquaintance who explained to the landlady the religious prejudices of her lodger in some measure relieved him from his embarrassment; but he was again totally disconcerted by finding it impossible after a long search to procure any _ghee_--an ingredient indispensable in the composition of every national dish of India whether Moslem or Hindu