He was wearing yet another set of pyjamas, this one in a rich bronze shade the color of lamplight; his boots were also new, of tooled, dark-red leather that reached to his calves; they were handsome but lacked the earth-filled soles he craved, and his right foot remained painful and tender. "How good of you, to take the opportunity to view the horses the Rajput has made his own." If there was any sarcasm in Vayu Ede's observation, it did not make itself heard in his voice. "The Rajput has many horses," said Sanat Ji Mani. "He has much to be proud of." "And you are a fine judge of such animals," said Vayu Ede. "I have some knowledge of horseflesh," Sanat Ji Mani answered carefully. Vayu Ede laughed aloud as if this were a great witticism. "The Rajput has said he would like to inspect his stables with you." This was so unexpected that Sanat Ji Mani could not at first decide what to answer. Finally he bowed his head. "I am at the Rajput's service, of course." "And so I shall tell him.
