{"id":65499,"date":"2021-05-20T07:18:47","date_gmt":"2021-05-20T07:18:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/?p=65499"},"modified":"2021-05-27T10:53:09","modified_gmt":"2021-05-27T10:53:09","slug":"taylors-tea-garden-by-ajit-muttucumaraswamy-chapter-one-13","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/taylors-tea-garden-by-ajit-muttucumaraswamy-chapter-one-13\/","title":{"rendered":"Taylers Tea Garden – By Ajit MutuCumsrawamy – Chapter 13 – The news that……"},"content":{"rendered":"

Taylors Tea Garden – by Ajit MuttuCumaraswamy <\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

CHAPTER ONE (13)<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

 <\/p>\n

The news that Jenkins had arrived came to James through Sinniah.\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Thanks for letting me know Sinniah. I have to meet him.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c He is in Kondagala Estate.\u201d said Sinniah.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c You must be knowing that Jenkins is a very experienced tea maker from Assam.\u201d said\u00a0 James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Yes Mr. Taylor. I heard that he has been working in Assam making tea for thirty five years.\u201d<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

said Sinniah.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I\u2019ll \u00a0 be going to Kondagala Estate. I\u2019ve got to meet him. Mr. Harrison mentioned this to me. Mr. Pride also mentioned this to me.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c The road to Kondagala Estate is a bit difficult at Ramboda Pass but the estate can be reached easily.\u201d said Sinniah.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Thanks. I will go to Kandy and make arrangements.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Plenty of coaches going to Ramboda Pass from Kandy.\u201d said Sinniah.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I\u2019ve got meet Mr. Harrison in Kandy. He has been telling me about Jenkins.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

James planned his visit to Kandy for the Wednesday. He was in with a chance to meet Daisy in Stainton Hotel. He could travel to Ramboda on Thursday.\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/u>\u00a0<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

*<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

James and Thangam retired to their bedroom after dinner. James lay in bed and Thangam nestled in his extended arm, with her head on his chest. James fondled her nipple gently touching her and kissing her on her hair as they talked.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I will be going to Kondagala Estate next week.\u201d James said to Thangam.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Oh. Will you be staying there for long?\u201d asked Thangam.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAbout a week. I will be working with Jenkins to learn about tea making.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I heard he has been working in Assam for a long time.\u201d she said, her arm extended and fondling his member.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Yes. I\u2019m supposed to work with him. Harrison and Pride have made arrangements with Jenkins to help with making tea. But Jenkins will be having his own tea estate in Ramboda, at the\u00a0 Kondagala estate. I\u2019m going\u00a0 there at least every other week to work with him. I\u2019 ll be helping him and he will be teaching me about tea planting and tea making.\u201d<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Alright. My father will look after Loolecondere while you are away.\u201d she said.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Yes. I\u2019ve got your father I can rely on.\u201d he said, turning towards Thangam and fondled her\u00a0 breasts.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I will miss you when you go away.\u201d she said and bent over to quickly fondle him.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Me too. But this could be the best thing that has happened for tea plantations in Ceylon.\u201d he said, leaning over to\u00a0 her intimate parts, the wetness making him even more keen to enter her.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 *<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

James left for Kandy on Wednesday. The carriage was small and was called a dog cart maybe because it was just enough for a man and a dog. He stopped over at Peradeniya. While at Peradeniya, it occurred to him that Daisy had been coming to Peradeniya frequently and enjoying the many trees with amazing flowers that had been growing both sides of the valley. No doubt that seeds for these trees came from the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. Birds could have\u00a0 pooped them on the slopes of the hills that flanked both sides of the road that James had come along from Loolecondere. He drove back to take a good look at the trees and beautifully formed hills that formed the landscape of the valley. He felt excited at thinking about Daisy. She was an English woman from Guildford and she was an English rose that he could hold in his arms all night, even for days and weeks. It was very nice of her to have spent time with him, as if she wanted him to enjoy a little bit of his home country while being so far away from it.\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

It must be some thing that was worked out between Daisy and her husband Crosfield \u2013 James thought. After all, Kandy was a small town and news must go back to her husband that Daisy was seen in Stainton Hotel talking to men and having a drink and occasionally indulging in a bit of love making with men who were looking for some sex. After all, a man like Crosfield had any number women to choose from, fair skinned Kandyan girls, girls from Malabar with golden brown skins, darker skinned Tamil girls with stunning eyes, well formed attractive facial features and even some charming mixed race girls who were hard to find but willing to indulge a white man if she stood a chance of being a planter\u2019s wife.\u00a0 It was a gamble that paid off, sometimes. The girl risked her reputation but the prize was worth the risk. Always come out better off anyway as the men paid princely sums as compensation to the parents if a baby comes along. It\u00a0 \u00a0 was a very costly outcome for the man,\u00a0 even more costly if he was married.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

James arrived at Robert\u2019s office in Peradeniya, pondering these matters, the good things and the bad things about falling in love with local girls. The extra ordinary plants that graced the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens never failed to amaze him. He had never even heard of such plants or read about them in the books that he read for botany. Amazing trees from South America, exotic giant flowering\u00a0 trees from Africa,\u00a0 trees that had flowers drooping down almost touching the ground, palm trees that had coloured fruits in bunches, small bushes with exotic purple and blue flowers.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

The horse and cart were taken charge of by Robert\u2019s man.\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome James. How are things going at Loolecondere?\u201d Robert asked.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Going fine Robert. How are things with you.\u201d asked James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Going alright.\u00a0 I\u2019m both excited and worried by developments with tea and coffee.\u201d<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Is that right? What\u2019s worrying you. We know that there is little one can do to stop the coffee blight spreading. But tea is doing alright, so far as i can see. I\u2019m doing well in Loolecondere. You said that when you came over.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Yes. Coffee is definitely finished as a plantation crop. Some pockets of coffee trees are surviving in the low country. But up country plantation coffee is all over as far i\u2019m concerned. Tea from certain areas of Darjeeling is more suited to Ceylon. That\u2019s what I think anyway.\u201d said Robert.\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Tea and sandwiches arrived as it was mid day. James felt hungry and tucked into the sandwiches and drank some tea. The tea was served with sugar and milk in ceramic crockery with pouts for easy pouring. James sipped the tea without sugar or milk.\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Nice sandwiches and the tea is very nice too.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Well the tea is the same type that is growing in your estate in Loolecondere. I am very keen on this variety. But looks like Jenkins is bringing his own plants and having a nursery in Kondagala Estate. This is my worry about tea. We are taking a risk bringing tea plants from that part of Assam. We are risking a repetition of what happened when the Rothchilds brought planters from Assam. They did well in Assam but not here.\u201d said Robert.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I see where you are coming from. But Jenkins has spent his whole life growing tea. I\u2019m more or less a starter when it comes to tea. I may end up like Jenkins spending my whole life as planter in Ceylon. I wish I get a break in India.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Jenkins may or may not succeed. That is something we cannot be sure of.\u201d said Robert.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

James added some sugar in the tea and drank it.\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Tea does taste so different with sugar. I wonder whether tea in Europe will be tea with sugar.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c They are trying to encourage Europeans to drink tea with sugar because the sugar industry in Queensland and the West Indies is trying encourage sugar consumption. All that land in Queensland is wasted doing nothing. Sugar will double and treble incomes of European settlers in Queensland.\u201d said Robert.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Yes. i can see that. But tea drinking in China will not be changed easily. They are the real big tea drinkers. They don\u2019t drink beer or water do they?\u201d said James. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c\u00a0 I agree that tea will always be drunk the traditional way in China. No amount of persuasion will work in that part of the world, including Japan and Korea .\u201d said Robert.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Time will tell. Thanks for the refreshments. Much appreciated.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Welcome James. I guess you are on your way to Kandy. \u201c said Robert.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Actually I\u2019m on my way to Ramboda Pass to meet up with Jenkins.\u201d<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Please don\u2019t mention my views to Jenkins. He may be offended. After all he is the most senior tea planter in the country. Tea has been his whole life\u2019s work. i\u2019m just a botanist dabbling in tea. My views are only thoughts that come to mind \u201d said Robert.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Don\u2019t worry about it. I won\u2019t mention it to Jenkins. We share our thoughts openly and we will keep them private, just between us. \u201c said James getting up walking out, followed by Robert.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExactly James. What are friends for if not for sharing our thoughts. Without fear of the consequences.\u201d said Robert.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

They stood on the verandah while the carriage was being brought to the front of the bungalow.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c This is such a delightful place Robert. You are a lucky man to be paid for residing here.\u201d said James smiling.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Yes indeed. I am a lucky man.\u201d<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c And what about a woman to share your good luck?\u201d asked James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c She comes over at the weekends. To study botany. She wants to be a botanist.\u00a0 That suits me. She is a Sinhalese girl. Much younger, but with much experience in love making,\u201d he replied smiling.\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I\u2019m happy that you are enjoying life in these lovely gardens Robert. Let\u2019s meet up in Kandy on my return. I\u2019m at the Kondagala Estate for one week.\u201d\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Sure. i will come to Stainton next Wednesday. I take it you will stay the night before leaving for Loolecondere.\u201d\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Yes. I will break journey in Kandy next Wednesday. See you then.\u201d said James getting into the dog cart.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Don\u2019t get into mischief at the Stainton. Too many babies are conceived in that hotel.\u201d said Robert smiling a great smile.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Oh. I hope no such thing happens to me. I\u2019m already struggling to be a good daddy. Any more and I will have to give up hopes of being a man of substance.\u201d said James smiling and waving as he rolled away along the gravel road.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/u>\u00a0<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

He arrived in Stainton hotel and booked himself in. The hotel seemed some what different.\u00a0 The cart and the horse were taken to the hotel\u2019s mews at the back. Mrs. Stainton saw him and came to speak to him.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Hello Mr. Taylor. Good afternoon. Did you notice the new Board outside\u201d said Mrs. Stainton.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c No . Did something happen?\u201d he asked.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Ah! Now this hotel is called Queen\u2019s Hotel.\u201d\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Have you sold it or is it a change of name?\u201d\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c It\u2019s been sold. But we will stay on and manage it. My husband is not very well. You see he does get malaria quite often. This time he is in bed with something I\u2019m not sure of . The doctor said it could be dysentry.\u201d she replied.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Very sorry to hear that. Dysentry could kill you I\u2019ve heard.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes. It\u2019s a dangerous disease. Are you comfortable in your room? Daisy mentioned to me that you are designing a water mill and a tea making machine.\u201d<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

James was taken aback. He was under the impression that what passed between Daisy and him was a state secret to be guarded with his life.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Ah! Yes\u201d he stammered, trying to recover his poise.\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes. That\u2019s right. I\u2019ve designed a water mill and a tea making machine to the cost of tea making.\u201d he said.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c That\u2019s very good. We are all concerned about what has happened to coffee. But tea seems to give hope.\u201d she said, her green eyes looking at him with awe.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Yes. i agree . Our future is very much at stake. We need\u00a0 good luck with tea or else we have to pack up and go home.\u201d he replied.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Well. You are right. In fact Mr. Stainton is very sure that we will have to pack up and return to England. He doesn\u2019t think that tea will take hold in Ceylon because it\u2019s been tried twice before. Even the Rothchilds failed with tea. They never give up easily. They got all the money in the world.\u201d she said.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c The Rothschilds did the right thing. They brought European planters with experience in Assam and Darjeeling. But tea did fail in the end.\u201d replied James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Daisy wanted me to tell you that she won\u2019t be able to come to meet to discuss your plans. That was last week. She was expecting you come last week I think.\u201d she said.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Thanks for letting me know. \u201c said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c She was not feeling well. She had a stomach bug or something like that.\u201d she added.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Oh. I see . It\u2019s not good news.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Yes. You have to be careful with water you know. \u201d said Mrs. Stainton.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I see. I must admit that I don\u2019t always drink boiled water. I just drink any water I find. \u201c said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c We try to make sure that drinking water is boiled just to make sure that guests don\u2019t fall ill.\u201d she said.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I must remember to check if our drinking water id boiled. It\u2019s kept in an earthenware jug.\u201d<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c It\u2019s us Europeans that need to worry. The locals seem to be immune to these things.\u201d she said.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I guess so. They are not immune to some of the other things like tuberculosis.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Yes. We die from their diseases and they die from our diseases.\u201d she said.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Fair exchange, no robbery\u201d said James smiling.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Mrs. Stainton smiled.\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c That\u2019s life I guess. What can I get you to drink.\u201d she said.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c My favourite is beer.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Alright. I\u2019ll bring you a beer.\u201d said Mrs. Stainton walking towards the bar.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I\u2019ll come along.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

James propped up the bar counter for a while observing the people and the lighting. The ceiling was definitely remarkable with a chandelier gracing the centre. The front doors opened out towards the middle of the town of Kandy. Looking out, there was the \u00a0 large lake with reinforced embankments which showed pretty good civil engineering skills.\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

He stepped out and walked along Malabar Street which flanked the hotel on one side. There were drains on both sides of Malabar Street. The houses on both sides of the street were well built with steps leading over the drain and into the house. The carpentry work was of a good standard. The doors were of sturdy tropical wood. Some had carved features on the doors and door frames. He saw a young woman and her mother walk out of one of the houses. They was clad in sarees. The mother wore her saree in different way. It looked as if the girl was wearing a skirt and a saree covered her upper body. They were both very fair skinned with fine features.\u00a0 He thought about Thangam and Daisy. If Daisy had come to the hotel, he may not be taking a walk. He walked back up and walked to the embankment of the lake and could see the temple of the tooth where Buddha\u2019s tooth was being kept.\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 He walked into the hotel and bought himself another beer and ordered dinner. He sat on a small table. Some Englishmen walked up to him and they shook hands and spoke for a few minutes. Most were planters but there was an engineer and a Government servant. Dinner was served. After dinner, he went up to his bed and a hotel worker who walked up to the room with him lit the lamp.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

It was a disappointing day. He was downhearted. But just as well, he told himself. He fell asleep. He heard a knock on the door.\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Hello. What is it.\u201d he said, feeling annoyed.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c It\u2019s me Daisy.\u201d came the reply.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

He jumped out of bed. Almost ran to the door and opened it. Daisy walked in and hugged him. He locked the door.\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I heard you were not well.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m feeling much better.\u201d said Daisy.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c But you must be careful.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I\u2019m sorry James. I\u2019m confused. I wanted you to be free of me. I don\u2019t want to make your life complicated.\u201d she said. He kissed her face. There were tears still flowing as he kissed her. He lit the lamp. He could see her well now. Her pink cheeks and green eyes made him happy. Their lips met and they kissed\u00a0 . James felt his excitement coming through his pyjamas. She had her hand touching it. She kissed him again and he felt the tip her tongue and responded, gently probing the softness of her lips. He lifted her skirt and slipped his hand inside her laced underwear and pulled it down.\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

She pushed her self forward to help him. But even though he bent his knees to insert himself, he could not do it. He kissed her on her chest, taking in the perfume that was mixed with the perfume of her body. He gently touched the space between her breasts with his lips.\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

They moved to the bed and made love. He hugged her body and kissed her everywhere. The perfume that she wore added to his excitement. The perfume of her body intoxicated him,especially when he kissed the lower part. He felt his member get stronger as he went lower and felt her softness with his tongue. She lowered her self and sucked him. They made love again.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry\u201d she said.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Why. I\u2019m enjoying it.\u201d<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m making your life complicated.\u201d she said.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Life is complicated\u201d he said.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen will I see you again.\u201d she asked.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNext week. I am returning from Kondagala Estate in about a week. We could meet next Wednesday.\u201d<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Okay. Will you stay for one day or two.\u201d she asked.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Maybe two. If you can make it. \u201c said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Alright. I must plan this out.\u201d<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c i could stay longer, if you want me to.\u201d he said.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c No James. He might wonder why I missed out on my bridge night which is Thursday.\u201d she said.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/u>\u00a0<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Daisy got her clothes on and they kissed and hugged briefly before she left.\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

James felt tired after the days travel. He might had more beers than he normally did.\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

He fell asleep, thinking about Daisy, Thangam and Samuel. It was confusing, he told himself. But it made sense, in some ways. He need not worry about Daisy. She had someone to be with her. She was an English woman. She has her own home. She may even be a rich woman, with a big house and property in Guilford. She was such a lovely person that he could not bring himself to keep her out of his life. It is a gift from God, he told himself. She came up to him the first time. came up to his table and spoke to him. If she had not done so, he may not have had the courage to even say \u201chello\u201d to her. \u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

James was up early and had his breakfast before setting off to Loolecondere. He stopped at Robert\u2019s bungalow.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

They sat outside and had tea and biscuits.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c This tea is delicious Robert. Is it the same as the last time we had tea?\u201d asked James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c No James. I got these leaves from the plot I planted on the right hand corner , over there, near the palm tree.\u201d Robert said pointing to the plot.\u201d<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c It\u2019s delicious.\u201d<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c The variety is the same as the one I grew in the nursery for Loolecondere.\u201d said Robert.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Okay. But this does taste different.\u201d<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I follow Cameron\u2019s method. Two leaves and a bud.\u201d<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c This is perfect Robert. I need to follow this method.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c But it means that you double the cost. Most of the leaves are left unpicked.\u201d<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Yes. Quite right. It means the price of tea from Loolecondere estate will be much more than tea from other estates. I agree.\u201d<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c But Cameron is certain that people will buy this high quality tea, regardless of the price.\u201d said Robert.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c\u00a0 I know what i should do. In fact I\u2019m already half way there. The tea rolling machine I designed is nearly ready. When the water mill is installed, my labour cost will come down very steeply. I just need a good tea maker to do the quality control. Sinniah is the finest tea maker anywhere. With him by my side, Cameron\u2019s formula will work.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I see what you mean. You are saying that\u00a0 the cost of the tea leaf, your raw material, will go up. But you will reduce the cost of the labour drastically by using the machines.\u201d said Robert.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c That\u2019s right. The raw materai cost will increase with tea leaves and a bud. But the quality of tea will be high. But the manufacturing cost will come down hugely with the machine I\u2019m going to use. The overall price would be about the same as for hand rolled tea..\u201d<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c It\u2019s a very good argument James. I\u2019m very much impressed by what you are trying to do. No matter how well you hand roll the tea, the tea it self is of a mixed quality with leaves from all parts of the bush. With your process, the tea itself is a high quality, no matter what process is used to make it into a drink.\u201d said Robert.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Exactly. Robert,\u00a0 I must be going. The biscuits were great and the tea delicious. Many thanks. Thangam will be waiting anxiously. I must admit that it\u2019s Samuel that I miss hugely.\u201d said James, getting up and stretching himself.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

They said good bye and James\u2019s thoughts turned towards Loolecondere.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

*\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 *\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 *<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/u>\u00a0<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

James recalled the events of the previous night, as the dog cart passed through the valley that was opposite the Peradeniya gardens, one of Daisy\u2019s favourite areas. He was somewhat taken aback by Daisy. She seemed to be more a little fond of him. He did not expect her to be taken up with him to such an extant.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

When he arrived in Loolecondere, Thangam was standing at the door with a big smile, carrying Samuel. Her hair was adorned with jasmine flowers. James felt like hugging the two of them and taking a whiff of the jasmine flowers on Thangm\u2019s hair. Samuel was straining to get down but she wanted to wait for James to come up to her and give her a kiss. James came up to Thangam and kissed her on her cheek. He wanted to hug her and carry her. But Samuel was straining to be carried, pushing himself forward, nearing falling away from Thangam. James felt a pang of guilt seeing the lovely smile of welcome from Thangam and the outstretched arms of Samuel. He had everything here. All the love and happiness a man would wish for.\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

James carried Samuel, hugged him, kissed him on both cheeks and forehead. James always enjoyed kissing Samuel on his head. The aroma of a Samuel\u2019s washed\u00a0 hair was something he very much enjoyed. The pure joy of Samuel\u2019s\u00a0 body against him was something special, a moment of delight. He walked towards the jasmine bush with Samuel. Samuel stretched himself to grab a few of the small white flowers with his hands. Samuel\u2019s chubby fingers held the flowers. Samuel stared at the flowers.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Smell it Samuel. That is your Mummy\u2019s favourite flower. Your Daddy\u2019s favourite too.\u201d<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

he said to Samuel.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Thangam stood there watching the father and son. She seemed to take pride in the the scene. A father and his child enjoying each other\u2019s company. She walked towards them and stood next to the father and son. James placed his arm on her shoulders and felt a sense of peace. He felt grateful to Thangam for giving him the joy of being a father. He was aware the these moments of peace and joy took him back to the days when he was a child and spent quiet moments with his mother and father.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Thangam leaned on him and put her arms around him. When she kissed him on his chest, she let go of him and said:<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I can smell perfume. Where did the perfume come from\u201d she asked, stepping back, away from him. James was shocked and flustered.\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I don\u2019t know how perfume came on my shirt. Are you sure it\u2019s not the flowers.\u201d he replied, quickly recovering himself.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c No. It\u2019s definitely perfume. Have you been with another woman.\u201d she asked, staring at him.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

James was almost about to confess. But he recovered his posture and said:<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c No. I was with Jenkins. There is no woman. i have not been with any woman.\u201d he said. Thinking quickly he added; \u201c It might be from the soap in the hotel. I took a\u00a0 wash in the hotel. It could be the flower from Robert\u2019s garden. We walked around his garden. He has a really good collection of flowers.\u201d\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Okay. I want to get the food ready. You might want to have a bath. There is warm water in the big cauldron. I\u2019ll take Samuel .\u201d she said , carrying Samuel and walking away toward the house.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

It was a close shave for James. He must be more careful , he told himself. He also felt guilty. He went to the bedroom . He carried the bag with the cloths he took\u00a0 for his visit to Kondagala Estate to the bedroom and inspected it carefully just in case there was something there like a handkerchief or piece of paper which might give him away. He had a bath and made sure that he placed his cloths in a cauldron and filled it with water to ensure that the cloths had\u00a0 a good soaking.\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

* \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 *\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 *<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 The following week, James made his way to Kandy on a Monday and took a coach to Kondagala Estate via Ramboda Pass. He was met by Jenkins. He spent the evening walking along the rows of tea bushes that had been planted. The new tea bushes were not growing as fast as expected. Jenkins was himself rather puzzled.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c You know James, this is very strange. I have not experienced such slow growth in all my thirty five years involvement with tea.\u201d said Jenkins.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c It must be the soil. The climate is no different to Loolecondere.\u201d replied James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c This is something I had not expected. As you say the climate is the same as the rest of the hill country except that we are more to the East are we not?\u201d he asked.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Yes. Loolecondere is more towards the centre of the hill country\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

They walked further down the path between tea bushes. Enough space was left between bushes to give the women tea pluckers room to stand and pluck the leaves. The wind blew strongly suddenly.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Ah! That blowing is strong. Is it normal?\u201d asked Jenkins.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c It\u2019s time for the rainy season to begin. April has been very hot. That is one of the reasons for the slow growth I think. The rain will come from the North East from next month. I guess it\u2019s a little different from Assam.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c It\u2019s a just a few months different. Pattern of the rain is the same. Two rainy seasons. The South West monsoon and the North East Monsoon. But of course the monsoons along the Bay of Bengal can bring a deluge of rain \u201d said Jenkins.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Some rumbling could be heard as the clouds blew in.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c You were telling me about the tea rolling machine that you are having constructed. When do you expect it to be installed ?\u201d asked Jenkins.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c In two weeks time. The installation will take about a week I think. The watermill will need some work. I have been making the spot a bit deeper to allow more water to pass through.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

They walked along the footpaths that were designed to help the tea pluckers to move around the bushes, plucking the tea leaves.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I\u2019m thinking of two leaves and a bud. This will make the tea expensive since there will be many leaves left unplucked but the tea tastes so much better.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Yes. I go along with that idea. We may end up with two types of tea. Two leaves and a bud style of tea making catering to the upper classes and the normal leaves catering to the others.\u201d said Jenkins.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c That would happen I\u2019m sure. But I want to concentrate on the high quality tea.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I agree with you. I would go the same way. But we have to face the fact that the price of tea will be much more. It may not be competitive with tea made in China.\u201d<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c My problem is bring down the cost of Ceylon tea by going away from hand rolling and using a machine to do that. I need your help with quality control.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Don\u2019t worry about it James. I will be coming over to Loolecondere as often as you want me to.\u201d said Jenkins.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Thanks a lot. I very much appreciate this offer.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I want to help you with your enterprise. Your approach interests me greatly. I will be doing everything I can to help you with your project.\u201d\u00a0 said Jenkins.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

They returned to the bungalow as the Sun was setting and sat on the verandah having their tea and biscuits.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Dinner will be ready in about an hour. Your hot water should be ready if you are going to have a bath. It gets chilly though. Not unpleasant really.\u201d said Jenkins.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/u>\u00a0<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

They talked about the dwindling of the coffee crops and the uncertainty of the tea enterprise. After dinner, they walked around the bungalow a few times discussing the tea drinking habits of the upper classes in England. They retired for an early night.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/u>\u00a0<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Breakfast was served in the verandah. The household staff were as efficient as as the people who looked after his house, thought James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Excellent breakfast. I see you have a very good team.\u201d said James<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Yes. I brought some of my people along with me. the workers are also from Bengal\u201d said Jenkins. \u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c It\u2019s a good idea. They know you and know what you want done.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Yes. Only downside is that these fellows from Bengal seem to have made friends in the local villages. They go and spend their evenings out in the villages.\u201d said Jenkins.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Oh, I see. The friendship could develop and the young men could get married to local girls and then things could get complicated.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I suppose such things do happen. It happens to you and me.\u201d remarked Jenkins.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Yes. I agree. We all need a little company. But I must say that the villages in Loolecondere keep themselves to themselves. Our workers do buy any vegetables and yams that the village people sell. \u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I do encourage my workers to buy locally rather than go to Kandy. We need to make the local village people feel that we are of some benefit to them. We are using government land but it really belongs to them I suppose.\u201d said Jenkins.\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Yes. The benefits of government services are not very much in the villages. The town people are enjoying roads and now railways. When is the railway having it s first cargo run.?\u201d asked Jenkins.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Next week or the following week.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I guess the people are going to take the opportunity to travel to Colombo.\u201d said Jenkins.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Yes. I certainly am very excited. I\u2019m hoping to send a shipment of tea in about two months.\u201d<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Ah. Yes. Your machine will be churning out the best of Loolecondere to London.\u201d said Jenkins.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I\u2019m going to need help with the shipment. It will be first shipment using the machines.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI will be at Loolecondere. You can be certain of that. Tea making has been my core skill. The fermenting is very important to my way of making tea. I\u2019m also very keen to make it a success because I will be adopting your methods in due course.\u201d said Jenkins.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Thank you. It will be a great help to me. My experience is very limited in that area of tea making.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c In many ways, your success will be our success. We planters are at the cross roads. Coffee is definitely out,\u00a0 thanks to the blight. Cinchona prices are down and no signs that it will ever improve. Tea will be our saviour.\u201d<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Yes. Tea will be our road to success. I\u2019m very confident. I know the risks. But I\u2019m confident.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0They went out and walked along the tea plantation tracks. The tea bushes were not looking lush. The green colour of the tea leaf was not the green colour that was expected. A healthy tea bush had tea leaves of a different colour.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Sad isn\u2019t it James. I took a lot trouble bringing tea plants and seeds from Assam. But this is a great disappointment.\u201d said Jenkins.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Signs are not good. It\u2019s no use uprooting it at this stage, is there?\u201d<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c No we will wait until a few more months before deciding on drastic action.\u201d<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Yes. It\u2019s too early.\u201d said James<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Are you leaving tomorrow as planned?\u201d asked Jenkins.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo I\u2019m leaving today. It\u2019s Wednesday and I\u2019m doing some work on the water mill site on Thursday.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Alright. Let\u2019s go inside. I\u2019ve got some tea leaves. i will show you about how I do the rolling and fermenting.\u201d said Jenkins.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

They moved into the house. Jenkins gave a demonstration of the hand rolling methods used in Assam. The leaves ended up looking like cigars. They discussed fermentation and the methods used\u00a0 for making Chinese green tea. The distinctive smell of green tea wafted around the tea leaves.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I guess the packing methods will also be different for green tea.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Not all that different. It\u2019s almost the same. The tea chests we use are the same. The paper used to insulate the tea from the tea chest is the same. Mind you, with the railway starting next week or the following week, we will need to look at the packing methods again\u201d said Jenkins.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Yes. Agree. Are you going to Ambepussa for the opening \u201c asked James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I want to go. Are you going?\u201d asked Jankins.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Yes. I want to go.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I guess we will meet there. What about travel and accommodation.\u201d asked Jenkins.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c The coach from Kandy will get us over there and back. I\u2019m not sure if the rest house or hotel in Ambepussa they are building can accommodate everyone.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Alright. We might meet in Kandy. Depending on the time we get there. I guess it\u2019s time for your trip back home.\u201d said Jenkins.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Yes. I will get my bag.\u201d said James.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/u>\u00a0<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

James arrived in Kandy by late evening. The lamps were being lit in the Queens Hotel. James stepped back to look at the impressive sign board that had replaced the old sign board which said Stainton Hotel. Looks like the place is going to be posh place, James told himself.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

He booked himself in and went to his room and left his suitcase there before coming down and having a beer. He spoke to one or two of the British men who were seated drinking their beer and eating snacks like potato wedges and fried prawns.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

He felt cheerful standing at the bar and looking at the new curtains which seemed to declare that things have changed in the hotel. The price had gone up ten percent too he noted. He kept looking anxiously towards the door watching out for Daisy. She walked in and saw him but pretended that she was coming in to see Mrs. Stainton. She asked the waiter where Mrs. Stainton was and walked away towards the kitchen, only giving James a quick glance.\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

She returned and stood talking to James. James placed the key on the table, The tag on the key said Room 10. She picked up the key and walked away.\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

When James entered the room she was in bed, only in her pants. He kissed her on her lips, as he removed his cloths and stood naked.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I love you\u201d she murmured, moving towards\u00a0 him.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c I love you too\u201d said James getting into bed and removing her pants. The perfume of her body made his erection stronger as he enjoyed the softness inside, exploring her with his tongue. She made him tingle with her tongue and feel the delight of being loved.<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

When she slipped out later, she gave him a kiss on his lips.\u00a0 She tip toed to the door , opened it slightly to make sure nobody was around , before dashing away.\u00a0<\/b><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

James went to sleep but his mind was disturbed by thoughts of Thangam. he would need to make some firm decisions. But there was no solution to be seen. He could not control events but events could overtake him.<\/b><\/span><\/u><\/u><\/p>\n

<\/u>\u00a0<\/u><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Taylors Tea Garden – by Ajit MuttuCumaraswamy CHAPTER ONE (13)   The news that Jenkins had arrived came to James through Sinniah.\u00a0 \u201c Thanks for letting me know Sinniah. I have to meet him.\u201d said James. \u201c He is in Kondagala Estate.\u201d said Sinniah. \u201c You must be knowing that Jenkins is a very experienced […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":65477,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"aside","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34884,20],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-65499","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-aside","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-ajit-muttucumaraswamy","8":"category-articles","9":"post_format-post-format-aside"},"yoast_head":"\nTaylers Tea Garden - By Ajit MutuCumsrawamy - Chapter 13 - The news that...... - eLanka<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Taylers Tea Garden - By Ajit MutuCumsrawamy - Chapter 13 - The news that......\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Taylors Tea Garden – by Ajit MuttuCumaraswamy CHAPTER ONE (13)   The news that Jenkins had arrived came to James through Sinniah.\u00a0 \u201c Thanks for letting me know Sinniah. 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