Every eye in Japat was upon him; every hand was turning against him.
It was Miss Pelham who finally took it upon herself to warn the lonely American.

The look of surprise and disgust that came into his face brought her up sharply.

She had been "taking" reports at his dictation; it was during an intermission of idleness on his part that she broached the subject.
"Miss Pelham," he said coldly, "will you be kind enough to carry my condolences to the ladies at court, and say that I recommend reading as an antidote for the poison which idleness produces.

I've no doubt that they, with all the perspicacity of lonely and honest women, imagine that I maintain a harem as well as a bar-room.

Kindly set them right about it.