MASHI

AND

OTHER
STORIES

MACMILLAN

CO.,

AND

BOMBAY

LONDON

LIMITED

CALCUTTA

MADRAS

'
"

"

MELBOURNE

THE

COMPANY

MACMILLAN

YORK

NEW

BOSTON

CHICAGO
"

"

SAN

DALLAS

FRANCISCO

"

THE

CO.

MACMILLAN

TORONTO

OF

CANADA,

LTD.

MASHI
STORIES

OTHER

AND

BY

SIR

TRANSLATED

FROM
BY

MACMILLAN

ST.

TAGORE

RABINDRANATH

MARTIN'S

THE

VARIOUS

ORIGINAL

BENGALI

WRITERS

AND

CO.,

STREET,
1918

LIMITED
LONDON

COPYRIGHT

**
rv

1042650

CONTENTS

PAGE

MASHI
"
.
.

THE

SKELETON

31
...

THE

AUSPICIOUS

THE

SUPREME

VISION

49

61

NIGHT
...

RAJA

AND

RANI

77
.

THE

TRUST

87

PROPERTY
.

THE

THE

RIDDLE

ELDER

.107

SOLVED
.

SISTER

.123
.

SUBHA

145
....

THE

POSTMASTER

.159

THE

THE

RIVER

STAIRS

173
.

.185

CASTAWAY

SAVED

207
......

MY

FAIR

NEIGHBOUR

.215
.

MASHI

ffi

MASHI

'MASHl!'1

Try

'

left.

father's

if

mind

Never

'

house.

have

not

should

Mani
where

he

is

days

many
to

go

her

now.'

Sitarampur.'

'

Oh

yes

should

Just

'

leave

is

in

Does

'

But
cried

go
We

to

she
her

him

this

state

can

see

eyes

out

explain

must

The

!
?

How

near

She

sick

man.

maternal

she

can

bear

to

'

what

know

father's

her

there.

her

strong.'
to

she

longer

any

not

listen

you

Send

Sitarampur.
remain

not

herself

She

to

late.'

getting

that

forget

I
"

she

it is.

thinking

was

is

it

sleep, Jotin,

to

the

for

at

doctors

herself
the

merest

'

The

other

hint

of

day

having

house.'
in

that

aunt

is

this

addressed

statement

as

Mashi.

there

MASHI

distortion
slight

was

it.

The

from

Next

annaprashan
All

It will

follows

as

have

got

thought I

seen

Fridaywill

saw

Send

dear.

pleaseyour

be

some

"

news

cousin

your

little sister's

my

So I'm

ceremony.

right,
my

her

gold necklace.

mother.'

little sister, and

my

'

thinking

thinking of going myself.

I'm

'

was

least of

the

say

here.'

Yes

Mani

child, you

my

father ?

your

Anath
c

truth,to

actual talk with

I suppose,

'

of

want

I've
to

never

so

ever

much.'
"

think

the doctor
he

'But

'

This

she's
be

is the first

grand

Yes,

The

Usually

Haven't
?

him

you

heard

'

there's

special

no

can

girlafter
"

his state.'

see

I have

three

brothers,and

heard

that it'sgoing

If I don't

affair.

go, mother

will

'

be very
1

surelydon't

'

great favourite.

You

just now

that

if he did, you

Even

'

said

for

cause

about

says

mean

you

leavingJotin alone

of

what

to

do

Whatever

I don't

yes !

annaprashanceremony
it receives

its

name

on

understand

takes
that

place when

day.

your
child

mother.

is first

given

rice.

MASHI
I know

But

You'll

'

if you

enough

angry

is

there

have

if I go, there

will be

You're

"

right

great loss if you

to

write

to

saying that

him

line to

that

anxiety,and

for

even

'

no

there

do go.

certainlybe

it will

no

if I write

remember,

But

is in my

plainlywhat

father,I'll tell him

your

will be

father

your

Jotin justnow/

leave

specialcause

no

that

well

very

mind.'
'

Then

husband, and
Look

if you

deceive

to

you

When

bed
Her

what
'

in

the

Look

don't
"

are

Why

"

it for

stand

well

too

you

left her, Mani

friend

and

What

let

to

for

lay down

and

came

do

your

it is !

shame

annaprashan coming,
me

go

to

it !

Surelyyou're never

with

1 don't

that, I won't
knows

deal from

good

on

temper.

sister's

asked

matter.

here

want

you,
'

had

neighbour

was

my

him.'

bad

ask

'

surely

father

Mashi

only

my

do

Your

moment.

her

will

he

shall

write.

here, child, I've borne

but

you,

needn't

you

husband

anything

so

and

Here's

they

'

thinkingof going,
ill?

'

for him, and

I couldn't

if

MASHI

I tried.

It's

tell you
1

look

franklyI

You

are

But

me

1 must

go.

Isss !

What

in this house, that

woman

your

and

people do,

think

ill of me.'

plan.'

Nobody
an

'

you

should

one

it.'

pretend, as

lest any

Well, tell

can't bear

strange

can't

glum

'

deadly dull

so

prevent me.'

can

imperiousyoung

woman

you

!'

are

ii

Hearing

that

Mani

thought of going to
excited

so

pillow
4

that

towards

Mashi, open

he

had

wept

the

at

her

father's house,

sat

up

him, he

in bed.

leaned

this window

mere

Jotin

was

Pulling his

back, and

and
little,

said

take

that

lamp away.'
The
a

stillnight stood

pilgrim of eternity
;

witnesses

through untold

at
silently

and

the

the window
stars

gazed in,

of countless

ages

like

death-

scenes.

Jotin saw
of
dark
all

eyes

his Mani's
the

dark

brimming

eternity.

face

traced

night,and
over

with

saw

on

the

those

tears, as

it

two
were

ground
back-

big
for

MASHI
felt relieved

Mashi

thinking he

you

started

he

all

thought

to

be

ever

she

when

him

saw

quiet,

so

asleep.

was

Suddenly

Mani

that
in

happy

up,

and

said

was

too

Mashi,

frivolous

But

house.

our

'

see

you

'

now
c

Yes, I

see

trial tests

but
"

Mashi

'

Do

Let

sleep,dear

vexed, Mashi
'

"

'

well/

Once,

when

which

it

I could

think

to

be

you

win

not

'

silently.But
allow

I won't

can

felt that

Mani

that

day

'

Don't

talk.

me

you

to

that

say

; I

it.'

you

one

bore

minds, you

Our

'

let
little,

I used

No, dear,

'

heart, I

also bore
*

Very

Mani's

mistaken"

was

'

think

me

person.'

to

try

Baba,1

my

now,

know,

at

'Therefore

are

earth

her

own

mind,

and

of

her

'

right.'
took

never

of

clods

great shock

some

know

not

Yes, Jotin, you

not

by merely picking up.

possess

did

are

much

notice

waywardness.'
1

Baba

endearment.

means
literally

In

the

same

Father, but
*

way

Ma

is often
'

is used.

used

by

elders

as

term

of

MASHI

Mashi
but

once,

night on

she

go

lay

with

knew, that Mani

while
Yet

had

caringto

he

day

often

the verandah

not

yet

silent,suppressing
a
sigh. Not

remained

Mani
when

went

to

in that distress.

Again

that

Jotin :

child,my
silly

"to

for

cry

be said, and

and

Woman,

be denied

by

be

to

up

had

the

goddess
It

fate

of love

the

Jotin

throne.

her

of the wine

offered,and

was

cannot

misunderstood.
set

was

to

was

poured

worship went

the

to

want,

to

things

imagine that his,own

to

his share

sacrifice

learn

these

But

shrine
Mani

let her

wanted

had

attention

much

so

pay

her away

sent

again she

and

his brow,

pain lay hidden

what

divinity. Therefore

that

the

there

for him

hard

to

apt

his heart

in

had

dear

things/
are

the theatre.

to

go

fan him, he

knew

Don't

Many

soothe

and

come

gettingready to

was

splashingrain,

throbbing head, longing,she

would

Mashi

to

the

bedroom.

his

into

alone

say

with

wet

petulantly. She

to

Jotin spending the

seen

out

on,

hope

of

that

Jotin

boon

ceased.

never

Mashi

imagined
he

when
sleeping,
'I
with

know

you

Mani, and

more

once

cried

thought

therefore

suddenly

out

that

you

were

was

was

angry

not

happy

with

her.

MASHI

But, Mashi, happiness is like those

don't

all the darkness

cover

make

and

yet there

shines.

I do

fills my

that

Mashi
tears

in

when

She's

think

necessary
*

'

seems

you

if

as

O
heart
At

my

worry

I have

about

heart awakes

song

heart

came

to

my

the sound

Oh,

you

that

any

woke

which

I you

he

woke

Mani's

just when

loss,

heart

'

to

Isn't it

that, Jotin.
'

Suddenly Jotin recollected

minstrel's

was

life,
only to find

Was

ever.

I too

enough.

'

if her

enough

old

idol of my

signsof awakening
Don't

What

young

Besides, is happiness absolutely

Mashi, it

shows

so

'

for

heart

she's

am

I lost the

my

you

her

Jotin'sbrow,

soothe

thinking,Mashi,

when

him

gladness

in the dark.

was

young

this

comes

truth

which

to-night/

Young, Jotin ?

'

misunderstand,

we

whence

know

not

gaps between.

are

through

gaps

began gently to

will she do

do

remain

heart

unseen

in life and

mistakes

We

; there

They

stars.

had

not

the words
heard

when

of

village

long before
the

man

of

my

door.

of his departingsteps you

up in the dark

woke

up.

MASHI

io

Mashi, what

at

About

So

time

that !

two

sleep,then

to

Why,

awake

'

talking;

midnight,you

My

But

be

must

did you

why

want

'

how

know

you

thought it

o'clock.

three

or

Why,

know, beginsat sundown.

me

now

nine/

earlyas

least

is the

late last

to-day

so

night you kept

must

you

get

sleep

to

early.'
c

Is Mani

Oh

asleep?
she's

no,

'

busy making

some

soup

for

you.'
don't

'You

to

mean

Mashi?

so,

say

Does

?'

she
4

Certainly!
busy

the

It doesn't

such

things.

had

delicate

that

it

had

flavour,

not
to

woman

learn

of itself/

comes

in the

morning,

thought

you

had

it.'

made

Dear

would
does

long for
the need

With

fish soup,

such

take

'

could

thought perhaps Mani

The

food,

all your

she prepares

little woman.'

Why,

let

me,
me

all your

can't bear

no

do

Surelyyou
anything for

washing

herself.

anythingdirtyabout

don't
you

She
you.

think
?

Why,
knows
If

Mani

she
you

only you

MASHI

12

went
Mashi, sighing,

out

Jo tin's pulse began

well that

too

talk

intimate

play

of

for

not,

all

suits

men

hold

suitable

Not

two.

The

inattentive

requiresthe
bagpipes
be

must

But

with

small

the

be

Mani, made

in

had
would
when

certain

that

come.

it is hard

For

for

talk that

at

least

played singly,but
often

How

on
sitting

the

strained

some

longed

to

earnestlythat
talking is
two.

can

but
altogether,

snap.

get away.
a

easy

in

open

attempts

eveningfelt ashamed.

Mani

wished

even

chatted

monologue,

conversation, only to feel the thread

was

could

he

co-operationof

can

talk

You

women.

audience

Jotin,when

the very silence of the

he

often

pair of cymbals.

evenings had

verandah

that

he

for

chattering

couldn't

philosophicaldiscourse

talk

at

friends

men

is not

small

the

his

of trivialities.

ignoringyour

there

they did

to

easy

girl companions.

"

with

sorts

her

only himself, why

trifles as

an

again,Jotin had

hearing Mani

with

have

to

not

was

and

Again

knew

instruments

two

it

He

able

The

jealousyon

Jotin blamed

on

Mani.

laughing merrily

irrelevant

been

never

in unison.

them

felt pangs
and

with

while
Mean-

beat fast.

to

and
differently

tuned

were

had

he

call Mani.

to

third

with

And

Jotin
He
person

three,

MASHI
He

began

Mani

think

to

But

came.

of

minutes

him,

there

should

he

what

be

to-night would
few

but

when

talk would

Jotin felt afraid

were

say

manufactured

such

satisfyhim.

not

13

that

wasted.

this five
for

Yet,

left for intimate

moments

talk.

in

are

What's

Of

What
?

do

Not

to-day,my

But

the

Who

is

going

Mashi,
What

Jotin

All

and
But

take

to

you

loss

to-morrow,

early in

if I do

harm

have

to

right! there's
see

That

hold

by

with

some

can

served.'
re-

easily

morning.'

inauspicious

your

talk

still

the

to-day ?

go

day/

already been

has

that matter

don't

wants

other

child,some

compartment

Go

Sitarampur.'

to

does

What

days.

mean

you

Anath.'

going

'

be borne.

go

I'm

course,

going anywhere,

'

you

you

this,child, you'renot

'

you.'
time.

I'll

just

him.'

mustn't

Very well, I

say

won't

that
tell

you

him,

are

but

going.'
I

shan't

be

MASHI

i4

able

to

I must

annaprashan, and
'

Oh,

me

child !

my

this

once.

sit

by

and

To-morrow

long.

stay

beg

Quiet

for

mind

your

listen

to

you

Don't

him.

sister's

my

to-day.'

go
I

is

let

him

to

while

see

your

hurry.'
4

What

will be

Anath

me.

sit

by

train won't

in

minutes.

ten

that

in

do.

I shall

! the

this world
this
a

day

God

frame

man

you

but

of

mind.

! that

Mashi, you

Oh,

is

God

mustn't

That

! you

will

check

cannot

after

entered.
4

But

delaying a

Jotin

Mashi

Just look

you

leave

there

is

day

some

like that.'

! my

darling! why

There
it !

is

little returned

moved

exclaimed

what

no

to

to

the

Jotin would

be

in his
:

she has done

end

do

'

sick-room, hoping by that time

asleep.

to

soon

days !

me

livinglonger?

on

Oh,

go

will remember

you

curse

darling boy

my

this sin, yet I

Mashi

can

'

go

you,

of your

there

torturingis

are

warn

tillthe end

understand

you

let you

never

wretch

for

wait

tillthen.'

him

him

The

back

No, that won't

to

I do

can

'

bed

when

she

MASHI
What's

'

1 found

tried
milk

her

be had

to

for your

console

to

"

preparationof

great trouble
bed.

Let

sleepit

her

half feared

had

do

violence

certain

his

thingshad happened

burning

to

the

Mashi

What

is

close.

wild.

her

and

brought her to-day.

when

of relief.

amount

image

of

before

in

life.

his

Mani

to

her.

Such

And

the

miserable

was

filled his heart

He

would

bodily presence

heart's

that

didn't

Mani

at

overflowing.

'

"

idea

his milk

feel

more

pacifyher

to

pained

was

that Mani's

to

gladnessof

managed

careless

so

made

soup

had

off.'

yet he felt

come,

your

I haven't

So

Jotin

Though

be

that she could

But

With

there's

Why,

"

the

to

she

get burnt

to

soup

her, saying,

about

put her

'

long, Mashi

so

come

weeping bitterlybecause

milk

the

allowed

been

you

Mani

Hasn't

happened

have

Why

15

it,Baba

'

quite certain
I have

But

that
no

days

my

regrets.

are

drawing

Don't

grieve

for me.'
*

No, dear, I won't

only life is good

'

Mashi,

sweet.'

and

grieve.
not

tell you

I don't

believe

that

death.'

truly

that

death

seems

MASH1

the

Jotin,gazing at
herself who

Mani

guise.

She had

flowers

of

if

immortal

had

he

the veil of

under

throne

life and

death.

hands

'

in this
often

how

longershall

deep

you

you

forsake

night
dark
little

wrung

with

clasped

covering is

beautiful

one

heart, but

my
!

of

the confluence

Ah,

me

her

"

himself

to

as

his bride

of Mani's

at

darkness.

have

tresses

immense

last the veil is raised,the

At

were

world-image,

stars

Jotin said

stars

this house, the

into

the altar of the

on

the

sight of

The

of

in Death's

her dark

loving gaze

bride

was

It seemed

his first

transformed

became
girl,

rent

the

the

Mani,

eyes.

and

upon

darkness.1

filled with

became

youth

it

that

him

to

of the World-Mother.

more

once

coming

was

showered
blessing,

the hand

by

sky, felt

dark

no

'

IV

I'm

but

Mashi,
suffering,

imagine.

It

to

seems

me

boat, it
has

the rope
all my
1

the

The

was

bride and

snapped,and

marriage

the

ceremony

Still I
bridegroom
under

from

my

long beingtowed

so

burdens.

if my

as

graduallyseparatingitself
laden

nothing

see

each

veil thrown

pain

life.

see

were

behind, but

it, but

other's face for the

over

you

Like

it floats away

now

can

like

their heads.

with

it is
first time

no

at

MASHI

longer mine.

'

me

It almost

seems

has left

drifts

must

be

1 wrote

my

throat
'

There's

will

need

and

me

which

sorrow

juice,dear
did

yesterday;

to

Your

it to

I show

But

'

That's

up.

me

own.

my

Therefore

You

only this

I had

and

house

the rest/

earned
'

nothing. Why,

that it's difficult to

much

Jotin/

me,

nothingof

had

brought

this house

"

it to

show

died, I

Nonsense, child

little property.

also

Mani

-'

saying
c

of

boat

laden

pomegranate

mother

fed

was

that

Mashi,

gettingdry/

no

'When
You

pillow/

I can't recollect/

you?
'

'

another

me,

Mani

seen

away/

Just sipsome

to

like that

me

days !

two

give you

Jotin,let

I've not

But, Mashi,

for the last

once

even

17

you've added

find

out

where

it

to

so

house

my

I)

to

I'm

Yes,

sure

Mani's

know
yes ! I

love

for you

is

'

really

that,Jotin. Now

you

try

sleep/
6

to
never

Though

Mani,

I have

it is

bequeathed

practically
yours,

all my
Mashi.

property
She

disobeyyou/
c

will

MASHI

8
'

Why

are

worrying

you

about

much

so

that,

dear?'
c

All

will don't
'

do

for

that ?

as
'

But

Look

You

to

console

something better
That

'

I must

much

that

I shall

not

in

have

Mani's

for

Of

course

me

Jotin !
"

You

have

land

your

Give

yes !

give

you

such

"

than

more

lonely

good-fortune
given me

so

is exhausted,
away

house, your

your

"

'

fill my

to

that great
!

you.

thing
everymoney,

burdens

are

'

I know

of

you

have

life,but

lost your
Mani

is

taste
so

for

young

'

that
*

so

'

due
destiny's

name,

and
carriage,

you

won

if my

now,

enjoyments

the

had

complain. Yes,

heavy

too

not

with

could

done,

money

wish

money

previous births

in many

your

than

Haven't

house

Surely I'm
'

with

me

have

you

enough.

give to

you

'

Mashi, how

Oh,

think

you

here, Jotin,I shall get angry

want
*

also will have

you

Do

because

you

my

'

Jotin ?

moment

see

you

that

moment

belongsto

what

When

you.

mean,

you

I shall mind

mean

to

owe

for

think

What

Mani

I have

No

! you

mustn't

say

that.

If you

want

to

MASHI

20

by
then

went

wonderful

that

The

room.

believe

that

moment

very

my

door

Mani

But, Mashi, you're going

let her
will be

trying to

far,

you

"

; otherwise

enter

and

she

open.

ought
my

to

death

her.'

to

put this shawl

me

dreaming

was

it wouldn't

too

dying

am

terrible shock

Baba, let

that

see

was

pushing against it, but

was

washed.'

slightly
open,

was

and

long time,

clothes

get your

to

away

How

'

for

head, fanning you

your

over

your

feet ;

they are gettingcold.'

I can't

Mashi,

No,

bear

anything over

me

like that.'
Do

'

know, Jotin,Mani

you

for you

she

busy at

was

Jotin
with

When

also of her
that shawl

It seemed

been

its threads.

It

had

But, Mashi,

knit,

any

to

"

at

tenderly
loving

merely of wool,

as

his
caressing

thought
rate

it

Her

own.

feet,it seemed

been

asleep,

that the softness

Therefore, when

his

over

made

not

been

night after night with

woven

was

him

to

this shawl

only yesterday.'

touched

Mani's

touch.

night,Mani

finished

was

was

have

to

shawl, and

wool

the

ought

It

the

took

thoughts had

how

it.

his hands.
of

'

she

made

she

Mani
never

Mashi

but

drew

if,night after

tired limbs.
didn't

know

liked it.'

MASHI
It

'

doesn't
I had

course

mistakes

many
'

to

Let

send

feet

in

long

teach

her.

be

learn

to

Then

mistakes

Paris

the

warm

take

Of

thing.

there

are

good

in it.'

there

it to

21

going

not

It will

Exhibition.

spiteof

Jotin'smind

we're

keep

to

my

its mistakes.'

began

to

pictureMani

at

task,

her

and yet patiently

blunderingand struggling,
going
on
night after night. How
sweetly pathetic it
And

was

again he

went

the shawl

over

his

with

caressing
fingers.
Mashi, is the doctor

Yes, he will stay here

'

But

tell him

adds

awake.
took

Do

It doesn't

the

you

know,

Mashi, that

the

sky.

remind
minute

I suppose
that any

or

of it
two.

the

full

the

to-day ; justcall
.

doctor

has

told

can

have

her

wedding
in the

to

you

am

I want
me

few

to

for

silent ?
so

I tell you

only

day,

shiningin

keep

you

but

will

excitement

if
Mashi, to-night,

do

Why

properly

moon

be

night will

very

and

rest

will be that

To-morrow

my

perhaps has forgotten.

Mani

her

night of

the

of that

stars

remain

me

give me

real

bring me

Let

of Baisakh

and

to

pain.

place on

month

for him

my

to

'

to-night.'

it is useless

draught.
sleeping
only

downstairs

weak

truly,

minutes'

MASHI

22

talk

with

will

her, there

be

don't

sleepingdraughts. Mashi,
I

quitewell.

am

to

Mani.

see

see

No,

days. Why

are

tears, but

my
bear

it any
Call

'

that

I'm

the floor

given you
dying !

crying,

"

wretch

heartless

to

'

all

I can't

his all !

Oh

Keep

will wait

Don't

and
come

come,

at

the

him.'

bedroom

his

wedding

our

"

Shombhu

Mani's

to

may

anything,call

want

went

of

her

she

to-morrow

If you

Mashi

exhausted

plentyleft.

are

I'll remind

going, dear.

door.

bear

longer.'

Mani.

night,so
4

I find there

I want

why

to-night?

I had

Oh, Jotin,I thought that

"

it has

quietall these

so

troubled

so

you

any

that !

as

can't

been

have

You

is full

That's

Mashi,

no,

like

cry

heart

my

life before.

crying !

you

last

on

in my

been

never

To-day

for

need

no

sat

down

once,

last request who

kill him

is

who

you
has

already

'

Jotin hearingthe

saying,
'

Mani

of

Did

you

'

Ask

your

'

Ask

whom

'

Your

started
footsteps

'

Shombhu.

'

am

sound

mistress
?

'

mistress.'

to

come

call
?

'

me

'

up,

MASHI

yet returned.'

'

She

'

Returned

From

Sitarampur.'

When

did she

Three

days ago.'

For
head

has

not

began

thought

about
Which

'That
and

the

She

stood

Mashi
she

cannot

in

which

the

kicked

off

long time,

the

Mashi

and

name,

out

I had

Mani

wouldn't

outside

her.

Mashi, did

other

night?

toppled

silent.

open
to

She

my

tell

'

at

last.
"

the

blow.

Now
door

the

door,

an

inch.

I know

tillthe last.'

realised that the heaven

buildingfor Jotin
down

than

more

enter.

outside

acknowledge it.

avoid

pushing

was

unable

has to stand

been

is best to

from

dream?'

kept

had

had

the dream

door

that Mani

Mani's

cried

Suddenly Jotin
you

after

forgottenall about

had

his

his feet.

over

back

came

mention

not

he

and
reclining,
was

and

all over,

slipped down

was

that

Mashi

Jotin did

He

he

shawl

When

go?'

swim.

to

woollen

'

where

Jotin felt numb

which

pillows,on
the

From

moment

23

If
When

out
sorrow

God

of

falsehood
comes,

strikes,we

it

MASHI

24

births.

through all my
it

to

it with

carry

sure

you

will be

you

with

all

are

you

tend

What

can't you
as

son

a
*

No,

house
when

'

Don't

'

Yes, but

'

to

from

are

you
house

my

arms

your

to

come

can

my
had

you

imagine how

even

to

sleep.'

my

Jotin !

name,

old-fashioned

again with

those

'

Mashi.

beautiful

old-

manners.'

with

that
the

I should

misfortune

think

of

'

!
girl-child

weak, and

me

burden

and

come

wanting

are

all trouble.'

Therefore
you

will

old-fashioned

an

child,I

My

Why

Lakshmi."

"

Mashi, you
me

to

beauty which
I

you

I can't wish

save

much, Jotin, but try

so

that is

home

mean

you

woman

come

You

son

name

But

your

I should

Do

you.'

'

am

I shall

daughter,and

again as

young.

talk

1 shall

fashioned

birth,I

next

saying,Jotin?
born

were

to

the

my

wonderful

that

you

Come

filled this life with

love.'

my

not

I shall dress
c

as

will last

you

'

no,

in

In

me.

that

pray

I have

born

say I shall be

to

got from

I have

Mashi, the love

"

all

sorts

am

so

woman,

I have

tried

of trouble,
"

I have

all my

only to

my
life

ness.
weakto

fail.'

save

MASHI

Mashi,

apply
keep
a

I have

the

for my

Whatever

you

everythingto
'

Mashi, I

have

tried

not

Perhaps

truth

Where

'

my

will be

thing

one

I have

kind

and

no

to

happiness,or

had

Because

wait

to
at

me

rate.

any

long.
Who

last.

"

'

there, Jotin !

one

in the

see

at

violence.

by

is that ?

There's

other

'

room.

'

it seemed

is

When

so

given

see

anybody.'

quite clear

to

'

that

me

No, Jotin,it's nothing. So keep quiet!

doctor

of

me,

No, dear ! I don't

But

but
yourself,

for

claims

content

Mashi, just go

thought
'

have

darling,you

tyrant in my

my

that, Mashi; who

'

oneself/
say,

boast

can

enforce

to

false it is

how

learnt

others.'

been

never

lies could

is

may

grasped anything

never

I have

looking after

be

always to

do.

what

then

I shall show

Look

much,

coming
the

doctor

here, you
you

Mashi,

The

now.'

entered, he said
mustn't

excite

assistant will remain

/No,

to

will

they

But

learnt.

have

birth.

next

is able to

man

life

this

in

time

had

not

lessons

25

him.

stay

near

You

with

I can't let
you

go

him.'

go.'

the
to

patient

bed,

and

26

MASHI
1

All

No,

let go

Baba
right,
! you

no

made

hand

shall God
All

take

me/

right,'said

the

for that

time

merely to
add

send

away,

now

No

falsehood !

more

I protest,

'

busy

with

your

remain

can

you

talk

not

The

afraid

die.

not

his

physic; why
shape of
!

is

now

am

away

to

medicine.'

medicine

to

do
?

doctor

It is
you

whatever

else,none

one

alone
No

'

as

him

from

Nonsense

in the

nuisance

another

him

I need

is

I have

'

give

; besides

end.

your

To

over.

deceive

Death

Mashi,

Send

is

take

medicine

my

I can't

must

you

to

side.

only

doctor,

for you

for

Time

'

my

hand, and

your

It's time

her.

by

till the very

not

But, Jotin Babu,

there.

you

by

sit

must

hand,

your

been

'

! I will sit quietly

in that corner/

doctor, this excitement

is

doing

harm.'

you
'

Then

go,

"Mashi,
Now

doctor, don't
he

has
and

come

gone

take

my

'

All

right,dear

No,

Mashi,

don't

head

Now,
ask

shall

awake

little longer. Don't

Somebody

is

wake.

coming.'

me

any

That's
.

sleep,I

never

excite
.

in your

to

good

sleep!

to

sleep.

I still need
you

lap.'

Baba, try
me

more

hear

to
a

'

If I

keep

sound

THE

SKELETON

SKELETON

THE

IN

the

used

night

rattled

were

for

School,

by

from

osteology

of

need

we

Many

and

leaving
The

no

the

and

room.

refused

side, I heard

day,
had

osteology

not.

the

In

from

the

brains,

our

behind.

trace

other

guests,

of

science

us

from

vanished

has

they

know

then.

since

passed

skeleton

the

room,

sleep

have

far

do

who

make

to

who

those

in

Medical

How

those

from

hidden

years

meantime

tell

bones

lessons

Campbell

sciences.

not

which

these

determined

were

the

all

In

taking

the

in

student

skeleton.

day

were

guardians

it is better

and

We

us.

the

In

boys

breeze

the

in

rattle
bones.

our

masters

succeeded

old

its

human

we

which

in

one

hung

would

it

about

played

the

to

there

sleep,

to

the

us

next

room

In

to

all

these

come,

the

house

our

to

was

night

the

pass

unfamiliar

now

and,

as

of

hours
31

I
the

tossed

crowded
in

with

the

same

surroundings,
from

side

night chimed,

to

one

32

THE

after another,

by
of

minutes

of the

death.
the

the

lightof

great

the

the

going

of

going

thoughts of
I

nature,

thought,

in eternal

lightof

ness,
darklittle

our

much

by night,were

or

had

the

to

me

of the

out

after

room,

family,so

arena

At

bereavements

lamp losingitself

lives,by day

human

the

by.

near

went
spluttering,

lamp naturallyled

In

and

and

two

or

in

recently happened
out

of

corner

choking

altogether. One

out

clock

church

the

in the

length the lamp

some

SKELETON

the

thing.

same

body

which

trying

was

clothed

had

like,it suddenlyseemed

walking round
the

and

of

walls

the

breathing. It
the

round

room

in my

seemed

of this

with

ran

imagine

was

could

that

have

been

its

hear

find, and

pacing

steps.

fancyof
the

rapid

searchingfor

was

not

mere

what

somethingwas

ever-hastier

my

sound

felt

less,
sleep-

throbbingof

reallythe

temples was

like

cold shiver

could

brain ; and

excited
veins

it

the

bed, groping along

if it

as

mind

my

to

that

my
I

to

it could

me

round

seemed

that this

quitesure

to

room.

which

something

recalled

thought

While

skeleton.
the

of

train

My

the

which

running footsteps. Nevertheless, a

all

over

me.

hallucination,I called

To
out

help to get
aloud

Who

rid
is

SKELETON

THE
'

there

The

and
look

the

seemed
footsteps

replycame

for that

pillow a

my

of

sort

night !

what

The

business

seemed

reply

skeleton

heart

; the

to

it
'

once

Of

get

about

the

you

from

my

question!

bones

my

six-and-twenty

my

Should

In

encircled

that

of

it.

said

voice

I,

desire

not

to

perfectlyreasonable

'

with

on

Years

to

them.

But

I have

only

moaned

placesof

the

in the

as

search, while

your

I felt that

dead.

But

I'll sit down

little chat.

man

be to

I try

little sleep.'

right;

talk

of

time

'

more

Well, go

Said
All

What

youthful charm

course/

desire.
to

casual

this

almost

come
*

the

were

bloomed

years
see

said in

for

the

clutching

so,

will that skeleton

use

mosquito-curtainitself.
that

to

come

'

now

Of

side,
bed-

my

fear before

any

tightly,I

nice

'

at

I have

imagination;

little more
:

way

show

to

own

my

stop

of mine.1

absurd

of

to

It is I.

'

skeleton

It seemed
creature

33

ago

fancy you

while, and

I used

during the
in

the

I would

to

last

wind
talk

lonely.

are

will have

we

sit

by

men

and

thirty-five
years
in

the

once

burningmore

with

old times.'
some

one

sat

down

just

near

my

THE

34

curtain.

That

the

Resigningmyself to

with
'

SKELETON

much

as

will be

as
cordiality

nice

very

situation,I

I could

indeed.

Let

plied
re-

summon

of

talk

us

something cheerful/
4

The

funniest

life-story.Let
The
'

church

When

was

in the

was

those

was

if

as

of

the

sharpest of

hooks

my

childhood's

home

of escape.

means

after my

can
feelings

be likened

from

has

to

the

hope
'

is

mother-in-law

my

evil eye ?

Very

Well,

"

enjoyingthe

are

you

"

much

indeed

'

him
died

behalf.

my

of

My

Do

are

story ?

no

relations
husband's

great
not

you
you

had

months

two

face with
"

with

away

friends and

father,after scrutinising
my
said

me

For

peacefulcalm

the

my

on
pathetically

hook.

snatched

husband

marriage,and

moaned

itself,and

and

My

two.

death

from
"

own

living,and

the

caught with

stranger had

of

land

My

fish

of

the hour

thing like

one

of is my

that.'

chimed

husband.

my

only to
it

clock

think

can

tell you

me

I feared

young,
that

thing I

care,

see,

she

?
listening

'

said I.

'

The

beginning

extremelyhumorous/
'

Let

me

proceed

father's

house

conceal

it from

in
me,

then.

great
but

came

back

glee. People
I knew

well

to

tried

that

my
to
was

SKELETON

THE

36

walked, I felt that, like

When

scatteringsplendour,my
of

waves

spend hours

to

gazing on

hands

my

the

set

side.

every

reined

have
gracefully

could

movement

every

on
beauty radiating

diamond

I used

hands

"

which

liveliest of

male

creatures.

that

But

has

while

was

That

is

why

of

like

once

vision

mine,

to

sweep

stuff
osteological
'

have

I could
had

you

it

remained
it is

that

of which

sleepfrom

'

I cannot

night.
1 had

My

body,'cried I,

your

that the

In
to

me

dream
; that

made
I

garden

up

the

if

under

stars

with

perfect

background

that.'
the voice.

on

his mind
alone.

was

that the whole

of

vision

than

more

zenana

sit in the

trees, and
with

the

'

only thingthat

went
girl-companions,'

had

wretched

is full.'

brain

radiant

say

only brother

marry.
used

no

your

loveliness

it all the

loveliness,
glowing againstthe black
of

I feel

vestigeof osteologyhas

no

head, and
is

libel.

most

rosy

your

by

sworn

full of

shameless

warm

with

out

that
still,

in my

now

of

banish

to

of

againstme,

you

I hate you

men

for all

to

refute the

to

all

with

eyes
of

unable

skeleton

staringold

false-witness

borne

mine

I would

and

stark

not

Alone

the shade
world

was

to

of the
in love

sleepless
gaze

were

SKELETON

THE

drinking

in

in sighsas
languishing

on

brushed

that

past

; and

me

feet rested, had

consciousness
that

me

blades

used

why,

not
'

out

my

of the

Medical

behind
did

and

not

It

eyes.

graduallymoved

to

get

ever

in

court

Shekhar.

sighed

Shekhar
*

Are

"

thinking of

Wait

day,

in

was

you

was

the

when

at

from

with

man

young
I held

the

host

my

feet

?
listening

my

of

man,

open

taste

it, until he
Shekhar

only

family

strange

for his

corner.

I had

whom

as

passed

him

seen

from

garden, then

my

to

were

our

the world

on

away

And

see.

men

young

he

lost

heart, I know

became

enough

obscure

an

friend, so

one

look

'not empty

in

world

my

often

brother

My
to

my

sad.

already

care

was

quite lost

have

it

It seemed

in the

College,he

curtain.

which

brother's friend,Shekhar, had

had

was

other

or

on

touch.

feet ; and

my

grow

When

doctor.

he

to

lawn

the

men

young
at

pretext

some

their

again at

all the

wind

the

conscious, would

it been

of grass

that

beauty ;

my

37

was

so

;
was

his

I could

evening

imaginary

were

each

one

What

are

you

'

as

replied:

Hear

whole

wishing

was

was

'

the

bit.

rains,I

the
was

story first. One

feverish.

The

doctor

THE

38
to

came

see

SKELETON
That

me.

was

first

our

recliningopposite the window,

was

blush

up into my

gazed

face,I put myself into his place,

myself in imagination. I

at

gloriousevening lightthat
the unrestrained
and

The

out

put

beneath

"

Might
a

"

Ah

"

have

about

before

never

feelinga

trembled
heat of my
Don't

"

head,
the fore-

pulse?

seen

doctor

wrist.

my

wrist

from

I looked
l

sapphirebracelet."

asked

"

thoughtI,as

patient'spulse.

they felt

as

pillow,

countenance.

"

laid

eyelids castinga

I feel her

it, if only there had been

on

soft white

tired,well-rounded

the coverlet.

face

wan

bashfullylow,

tone

in the

saw

playingover

the whole

over

doctor, in

brother

my

curls

lowered
bashfully

the

patheticshade
'

delicate

droopingflower againstthe

with

the

evening sky might temper the pallor

the doctor, coming in,
complexion. When

looked

like

that

so

of the

of my

and

meeting.

He

awkward

so

His

fingers

measured

the

fever,I gauged the pulse of his heart.

believe

you

me

said
Very easily,'

I ;

'

'

the

human

heart-beat

tells its tale.'

'

After

Widows

jewellery.

are

had

supposed

been

to

dress

taken

in

white

ill and

only,

restored

without

ornaments

to

or

THE
health
the

attended

who

receptionbegan
to

only one

remained

these

in
secretly

braided
of

jasmine

in my

under

the

of

to

'

myself

play

sigh would

garland
little

seat

from

there

what
to

and

about

myself
also two.

the doctor
in

madly

I lavished

caresses

grow

see

were

fell

soon

not

one

though

as

time

that

I watched

love.

on

self,
my-

heart, moaning

my

the

toes

See

mid-day
note

on

p.

was

38.

never

downcast
the

on

would

doctor
At

see.

with

dainty little

my

did

the

that

breeze.

I walked

wondered
been

the

usual

my

would

then

was

wander

evening

of

charmed,

was

Anyhow,

When

with

myself to

! for

no

But, in spiteof all the

like the

and

beauty

own

eyes.

see

gazed,

hair

perhaps thinking

you

Ah

own

my

I used

Are

one's

wearisome

with

betake

hand

my

myself1
about

; twine

did

blossoms

dress

to

trees.

Well

sight

there

patient.

one

used

into which

knot

mirror

'

evenings

and

reduced

were

little world

canary-colouredsari

white

till they

doctor

one

imaginary evening

last in my

at

of

number

the

that
my

dwindle

to

And

only

'In

39

times, I found

several

courtiers

SKELETON

have
the

alone.
eyes

the

earth, and
felt had

he

would

be

sky

THE

40

filled with

glareof

the

Outside

With

passingkite.

hawker

would

lie

it with my

on

pass

Banglesfor sale,crystal

"

head

carelessness the other

studied

sound,

I, spreadinga snow-white

lawn,'would

the

of

cry

bangles."And

without

sun,

garden-wallsthe

our

his musical

with

the

the distant cry of

then

and

now

save

SKELETON

sheet

on

arm.

my

would

arm

on

rest

the soft sheet,and I would

on
lightly
imagine to
had
one
myself that some
caught sight of the
wonderful

claspedit in
if I ended

'

both

palm, and

rosy

'

half

Not

I could
in the

the

would

kiss

away.

would

"

its

on

What

it do ?

'

ending/I repliedthoughtfully.
remain
the

little incomplete,
but

of the

rest

me

laugh

with
go

the

make

night putting

its

our

then

medicines
or

house

room

him

poisons, and

how

that would

to

kill

serious.
would

the doctor
on

the

had

ground-

chamber.
consulting-

ask

sometimes
and

for

as

soon

too

Where

grinningteeth

As

on.

story
in ?

come

he took
little practice,

floor of

drug

bad

would

that

So let

used

imprinteda
How

had

one

touches/
finishing

be the skeleton

some

slowlywalking

was

easilyspend

Where

got

of his and

doubt

no

But

'

hand, that

my

story here ?

the

It would

of

pose

man.

jokingly about
much
The

of

this

subjectwas

THE

congenial and
talks

ended
'

little world.
there

"

Not

is not

of death

idea

only

left.'

the

night

and

things that

two

story is

My

much

of

much

These

eloquent.

the

the

were

41

wax

with

me

death

and

filled my

would

he

familiarised

love

so

SKELETON

nearly

now

left either/

is

muttered.
*

After

if he

brother

for

to

this

the

my

beside

My

"

"

brother

Oh,

do

reallygoing ?
*

"

To

be

where

me,"

was

in,

came

for me,

my

at

last asked

is the

and

After

information.

doctor

him

going

"

brieflyreplied:

tell

he

he

borrowed

much

carriage?

your

day

and

point,I

Dada,1

way,

evening in

"

the

which

as

evening.
too

talk

By

the

curiositybecame

up

some

he

carriagefor

it seemed

and

One

me.

had

doctor

the

something

smartly dressed,

brother's

went

from

keep

somewhat

My

of

ashamed

were

trying to

"c

that

strangelyabsent-minded,

grown

'

I noticed

time

"To

importuned.

his death."
"

Where

is

"

married,"

he

said,

little

more

explicitly.
'

"

Oh,

indeed

"

said I, as

loudly.
1

Elder

brother.

laughed long

and

THE

42
'

graduallylearnt

who

would

But

why
?

me

did

he
I

be

to

was

of money.

largesum

heiress,

an

by hidingall this

me

begged and prayed him

it would

in all my

man

doctor

insult

ever

because

not

that the bride

bringthe

Had

marry,
are

SKELETON

break

trusted.

life,and

in

known

to

Men

only
I made

moment

not

heart?

my

have

from

one

this

discovery.
*

When

the

laughterthe
be married
'

while

; it

How

"

'

With

such
'

said

joyfuloccasion

I,

"

wedding

at

of music

this will
without

once

never

him.
there

that

is

no

"

"Is

marriage then

laughter.

do.

brother

ordered

"

lose

"

Who
music

lightsand

my

doctor

the

on,

into renewed

out

I bothered
he

went

sigh he replied:

1 burst

made

thoroughlyirritated
band

illumination,no

to

are

"

only

is it," I

and

him, ripplingwith

to

Well, doctor,so you

"

gaiety not

countenance
c

?
to-night

My

in after his work

came

start, I said

ready to

was

doctor

about

all the

ever

"

No, no,"

heard

of

"

it

so

much

trappingsof

that
a

gay

wedding.
'

All

the

bride,of what

time

would

kept

on

gailytalkingof

happen, of

what

I would

the
do

THE

44

It

"

was

beautiful

was

The

scent

with

rejoicing.

of

When

of

my

eyes, and

that

they would

see

lipslike
thus

chamber

when

that smile
of

trace

Alas

gold !

When

within

me,

osteology

from

And

as

to

I woke

get

lifelong
from

I closed

then

alas

But

at

skeleton.
used
griefs
open

Well, well,how

any

for

the
of

of

silk and

rattling

in

my

throb,and

the

there

the

one,

I had

sign of

did you

bridal-

Where
to

smile,

learning

busy naming

that last smile, which

bridal-

this

urchins

by

one

pointerwas

see

wine, that

me

the sound

my

to

on
lingering

bridal-robes

three

youth
his

with

found

and

eternal

my

found

rehearsed, did you

'

away

rose-coloured

carry

joysand

with

master

fade

of mine

slowly entered

for the

petalsof

its

people came

chamber

my

to

grow
to

moon

with

"

face.

bosom

the

illusion ;

illuminatingmy
!

began to

world
kin

some

should

lightof

garden

smiled.

I fancied

filled the

bela

and

home

perceptionslike

when

of the world.

; the

my

my

the weariness

of the music

sound

dimmer

associations

me

gentlesouth

fainter ; the

and

dimmer

The

jasmine and

the

fainter and

night.

kissingaway

wind

SKELETON

so

my

bones.

carefully

that ?

like the story ?

'

SKELETON

THE

It

At

Are

has

this

you
The

been

delightful/

there

morning

first

the

point
'

asked.

light

entered

45

I.

said

began

crow

There

the

was

room.

to

no

caw.

reply.

THE

AUSPICIOUS

VISION

47

THE

AUSPICIOUS

KANTICHANDRA
death

he

mind

to

body

was

sought
the

sight

keen

Mian

of

of

hunting

his

slender,

aim

unerring.

took

and

the

In

of

month

the

few

sporting

companions.

an

of

army

near

bathing-ghats.
impossible
land

long,

the

guns

chance
One

his

like

the

Singh

musician,

the
He

had

of

and

They

lack

no

village

and

trembled

water

every

evening

with

draw
to

musicians

the

it wellAll

water.

the

boats,

also, filled
found

to

gone

in

were

women

or

had

Nydighi

boats

in

bathe

to

of

swamp

servants,
The

Kanti

Agrahayan

shooting

day

Hira

others.

many

agile

dressed

Saheb

Khan

out

nigh

He

His

followers.

idle

and

and

him

his

gave

birds.

and

hard

with

Chakkanlal,

Saheb,

beasts

wife's

his

and

partner,

and

and

countryman,

wrestler,

second

after

yet

young

no

long

was

VISION

firing
killed

of

the

sleep.

morning

as

Kanti
49

was

seated

in

his
E

boat

THE

50

favourite

cleaninga
he

what

he

saw

birds

the

white

two

choked

weeds

Many

into

the

the

the

ing
Look-

the

to

ducklingsclaspedto
almost

stagnant.

current.

The

girl put

and

water,

of her

cause

at

was

anxiously. Evidentlythe
was

suddenly started

littlestream

The

breast.

her

he

gun,

villagemaiden, coming

edge, with

VISION

the cry of wild duck.

thought was

up,
water's

AUSPICIOUS

watched
of

presence
and

care

them

the sportsmen
the wildness

not

of the ducks.
The
she had

It

girl'sbeauty

almost

the
clearly

She

seemed

reached

to

not

face in such

He

spot.

palace.

golden

bud

A
vase.

herself

in
glittered

the

autumn

fresh,simple face
1

The

not

figurewas
childish

so

that

for

had

she

while.

expected to

And

yet its

than

it would

is lovelier
That

workshop.

youth.

had

surroundingsbetter

the

of

was

if

as

"

impressionthere.

no

stopped
gun-cleaning

fascinated.

its

face

left

know

to

Her

age.

her

had

the threshold

Kanti's
was

her

guess

world

freshness

rare

Vishwakarma's

woman's, but

that

from

justcome
difficult

was

had

on

the

He

such

see

beauty suited
have

bough

suited
than

day

the

blossoming

dew

and

morning

set

divine craftsman

in the
in Hindu

midst

was

mythology.

sun,

in

reeds
and

like

THE

52

eagerlyat
it got

bird, and

the

warning tap

the

on

little

checkered

lap.

its head

in
softly

and

the

who

at

the

Forest

showed

intrusion.

handed.
who

had

should
the

He
hurt

the voice
within.

Kanti

call of

She

like

of

took

up.
up

her

noon

Housewife.
a

sense

red-

caught
it

not

he

how

he

was

Sudha!

'

from

'

came

dove, and
c

what

an

ran

propria
ap-

'

returned
1

looked

Sudha

'

Sudha,' l thought Kanti,

name

she

he wondered

As

and

And

silence

thief

girljumped

again.
'

had

Divine

the

felt like

came

girl's

whispered

her with his gun, had

the dove.

the

movements

thickets.

longed to explainthat

The

the

wind

north

in the

now

upon

He

slow

river-bank

pity of

begin,there

house.

The

the

in

The

heart.

chewing the cud,

was

the flies with

eager

Kanti, coming
of

cow

Queen,

the

yard,instantly

zizyph, played on

tail.

on

peacefulmid-day

sensitive

rustlingbamboo

dawn

placeby

beneath
shade, flickering

the

lazilykeeping off
of

in the

Kanti's

on

far ofF

it in its

householder's

lightand

Not

then, when

nose.

the

of
foliage

and

now

every

set
picture,

surroundingsof
impressed itself
delicate

VISION

forward, she kept

too

This

AUSPICIOUS

Sudha

to

the
means

boat, handed
nectar,

ambrosia.

his gun

to

THE
his men,

and

house.

VISION

AUSPICIOUS
went

found

He

outside, and
in

saw

of

reading

face, seated

on

shone

bench

Kanti

something

the

in

the
with

book.

devotional

which

tenderness

of

door

kindly, thoughtful face

his

the

front

middle-aged Brahmin,

peaceful,clean-shaven

the

to

over

53

of

the

I ask

for

face

maiden.

sir ?

some

water,

man

welcomed

of

full of

with

thirsty.' The

the

bench,
hands

own

and

elder

and,
hospitality,

eager

on

his

had

Kanti
him

inside

went

little brass

bell -metal

vessel

of

then

drunk, the Brahmin

himself.

his father's

home, and
be

and

eaten

introduce

to

name,

can

with

May

'

water.

begged
his

said

very

wafers

sugar

After

own

am

seat

fetched

plate

I
him

offering him
and

him, and

saluted

Kanti

and

name,

said

in

Kanti
the

usual

the

service,sir, I shall

any

gave

his

address

of

'

way

deem

If I

myself

fortunate.'
4

require

Banerji ;

'

1 have

'

What

'

It is my

is

(Kanti smiled
'

and

for whom

service, my

no

only one

that, sir ?

'

care

he

thought

I have

at

Nabin

present.'

said Kanti.

daughter, Sudha,
as

son,' said

not

who

is

of her

yet been

growing

'

up

babyish face),
able

to

find

AUSPICIOUS

THE

54

If I could

worthy bridegroom.
debt

married, all my
But

is

there

for

search
'

If

have

of

about

back.

went

into

marriageof

nothing

but

When
his

The

Brahmin

was

at

in

some

mistake, and

'

reply.

desire
If you

You

mean

his

men

heard
virtues

to

marry

will

in

low

of

fortune

for

"

Brahmin

proprietorof
could

this

Kanti

family,

wealth

hardly
must

and

utter

have

been

lengthmechanicallyrepeated:
daughter ?

my

deign

Sudha

himself.

by

overcome

well-known

boat

salutation,

daughter for

thought there
at

the

to

to

give

her

'

to

me/

Kanti.
'

your

salute

answer

came

bent

his

first he

He

word

You

in

man

much

so

landed

that

"

of

some

beauty and

piece of good

also

was

of

hand

the

onlybelongedto

position

the old

day

undreamed-of

but

sent

the

promised visit,Kanti

begged

to

daughter.

next

and

not

then

praise of

the Brahmin's

on

He

repeated his

villageto inquire,and

the

boat, sir, we

my

the

daughter.' So saying,Kanti
and

paid.

Gopinath here,
in

me

see

talk

be

elsewhere.'

would

you

would

husband

would

bridegroom here, and

charge

my

her well

only see

this world

to

suitable

no

leave

cannot

VISION

'

he asked

again.

said

Yes,' was

'

the

will

'But

VISION

AUSPICIOUS

THE

55

reply.
first

not

you

and

see

speak

to

?'

her

Kanti, pretendinghe had

said

Oh,

'

that

shall do

we

said

voice

in all the

you

which

wish

arrived
and

his

the

elephant, with

ceremony,
Kanti

as

the

did

bridegroom

drums

and
torchlightprocession,

'

Mazumdars

wedding

time

due

cause

blessing!

the

Magh,

man

ously
gener-

never

is my

of

next

In

delay.

to
on

with

for

she

may

mansion

for

fixed

the

skilled

so

are

you

This

regret.

borrowed

was

As

trust,

on

old

the

well
good girl,

arts.

brick-built

been

not

her

moment's

The
had

is indeed

household

taking

of

moment

emotion

with

husky

Sudha

My

'

the

at

already,

her

seen

Auspicious Vision/
In

not

and
the

music

ceremony

began.
the bridal

When
scarlet

screen

looked

Kanti

and

for the rite of the

bedecked

with

with

sandal

to

see

called

betrothal

After

each
the

other

the

prospectivebride

again till that

AuspiciousVision.

part

In

the

that

of

the

bashful,

wedding

paste, he could

recognisethe villagemaiden
1

with

Auspicious Vision,

bride.

his

at

up

face, crowned

downcast

covered

couple were

of his

coronet

scarcely

fancy,and

and

bridegroom

the

wedding

are

not

ceremony

in

supposed
which

is

AUSPICIOUS

THE

56

VISION

the fulness of his emotion

mist seemed

becloud

to

his eyes.

after

chamber,
an

old

should
so

gathering of

the

At

the

wedding

villagedame

he started back.

Something
piercedinto
seemed

to

It

that

the

not

was

within

his brain.

was

over,

himself
did

he

girl.

same

his

darkness

dim, and

bridal

As

breast

lightof

The

the

Kanti

bridal veil.

from

rose

grow

ceremony

insisted

off his wife's

take

in

women

the

and

lamps

tarnish

to

the

face of the bride herself.

old

The

married

scoundrel
him

to

he remembered
him

felt angry

first he

At

any

follyto

another.

But
old

the

daughter at

all

the world, and

him

had

man

not

reflection
not

shown

all his

was

show

to

his

took

and
girl,

one

calmer

on

that it

"

thought it best

He

fault.

shown

had

that

his father-in-law.

with

his

own

arrant

placeagain with

apparent calmness.
He

swallow

could

get rid of its

the

of anger

blaze

He

taste.

of

the

could

festive

with

powder
not

throng.

himself

as

well

; he

could

not

bear the merrymakings

He

was

as

with

in

body
every-

else.

Suddenly

give

little

he felt the
start

and

bride,seated
a

by

his

suppressed scream

side,
;

THE

leveret, scampering
feet.

her

across

he

had

into

to

the

caught

and

came

her

the

by

lead

to

arm

What

is your

name

'

he

then

of

with

and

came

Kanti

away,

be.7

her

"

faces

her

hurriedlyinterposed,saying, Let

ever,
how-

in front

maidservant

'

her

to

not,

their

an

girl!

signs

unconcernedly sat

leveret

mad

them

pair,looking into

girl

it with

the

Oh,

the

the

up

caress

heeded

curiosity.When

childish

to
'

She

brushed

it followed

made
they..,

as

room.

wedded

took

She

57
had

room,

upon

murmuring.

the

but

the

began

women

leave

the

Close

and

arms,

affectionate
cried

into

before.

seen

her

VISION

AUSPICIOUS

went

on

to

ask

her.
The

gave
to

backwards

girlswayed

All the

reply.

no

forwards

and
in the

women

but

began

room

titter.
Kanti

put

ducklings of
The

another

question:
up

grown

yours

girl stared

at

him

?
as

Have

those

'

unconcernedly

as

before.
The

bewildered

Kanti

another

effort, and

wounded

dove,

laughterin
At

the

but
room

last Kanti

screwed

no

avail.

betokened
learned

courage

for

after

the

tenderly

asked

with

up

that

an

the

The

increasing

amusing joke.

girlwas

deaf

AUSPICIOUS

THE

58

dumb,

and

of

birds

she

other

the

Kanti

the

but

was

when

day

received

now

lifted

by

the

relief,

intense

looked

Then

came

his

from

her

radiance,
fulfilment.

the

heart

gracious
knowing

his

of

as

animals

and

chance

that

of

name

the

Sudha

from

and
face

that

and

Nabin's

With

of

saw

sigh
he

bride.

his

The

smokeless

he

calamity,

Vision.

the

black

eyes.

face

Auspicious

true

shock.

from

escape

into

more

once

second

before

from

screen

on

It

locality.

all

called.

was

of

of

companion

the

the

rose

VISION

lamps
it

blessing

in

would

its

light
fell

true

find

THE

to

USED

and
visits

paid
and

me,

the

and

bore

The

village
the

my

yoke,

object
My

of

of

no

and

father

in

side

would

could

too,

in
that

her

father's

therefore

punished

was

for

me

complaint.
beauty
like

house
she

happened

fagged

her

only

knew

Surabala

it

without

"

rooted

to

times

at

barbarian

young

glory

So

praise

her

became

idea

she,

to

self
her-

to

say

understand

general.

and

pet

'

ownership,
;

When

would

special right

wont

was

of

my

but

mother

punishments

my

born

been

with

her.

her

The

people

all

had

pair

had

her

eyes

beauty

pride

tormented

by

enough.

of

that

side

then,

that

with

marriage

house,

us

school

dame's

same

lovely

well

and

had

her

child

that, in

in

at

mind

above

play
to

What

was

my

the

setting

meaning
in

to

go

Surabala

NIGHT

SUPREME

but
that

me

Surabala

that

solely
the

to

bear

particular

neglect.
was

the

land-steward
61

of

the

Chaud-

THE

62

SUPREME

NIGHT

huris, a familyof zemindars.

soon

I had

as

train

in my

of

learnt
of

District
I

become

the

proposal.

bailiffs.

Bengal,
"

millions

the

greatest respect.

that

These

had

they

officers

the

Head

to

are

the

not

in the
the

high

in

our

pantheon.

For

more

offer

formerly

due.
Superintendentof

the

to

330

good Ganesh,

was

in

honour

of the

edition

people now

everything that

For

gods worshipped
Hindu

from

knew

money.

peoplehave

success,

; hence

of

seat

court

with
propitiated

even

miniature

of deities of the

than

be

these

even
underlings,

court

modern

faith in them
success

be

always treated

given a

the

to

gainingmaterial
of

life's

my

if I could

father

I had

reason

heart

to

even

and
giftsof fish,vegetables,

my

the Nazir1

was

my

that

saw

that

Magistrate;

Judge's Court,

childhood

this

Calcutta, had

to

away

Nilratan

Nazir.
Magistrate's

the

officers with
my

run

somewhere.

me

determined
secretly

was

of

Clerk

the

to

and

management

became
Englishthere,and finally

the

ideal

I disliked

heart

villagehad

our

estate

plan,as

good hand,

for
collectorship

rent

of

his

was

write

to

in the work

me

secure

But

learnt

It

bailiffs.

genuine
the
to

giver
these

Ganesh's

Fired
a

by

of Nilratan, I

example

opportunity and

suitable

There

the

I first put

ran

acquaintance,and

afterwards

my

father for

education.

my

studies

my

I had

for

the

be

carried

out.

all.

at

everything like

We

of

or

Also

no

such

For

hard

showed

one

did

had

learnt

not

these

abate

not
to

hot

was

blaze

stood

we

of

by

arranged

leader,

we

sneer

precociousboys of Calcutta,
The

strong.

very

delivered

speeches,

without

noon

the

the

roadside
chairs

and

got

ready

thingsthe cityboys

used

to
to

door

breaking

distributing
benches

lecture-hall,and, if anybody whispered

against our

as

how

from
begging for subscriptions

hand-bills,or
the

not

associations

our

in the

fast ;

the

faith

our

went

door

our

was

life suddenly

enthusiasm

lads

country

hence

'leaders'

to

it

way.

at

we

that

give my

I knew

But, nevertheless,my

and

on

benevolent

whatever
to

me

But

country.

could

and

carried

Thus

doubt

no

urgentlynecessary

me

from

regularly.

societies.

for my

village

funds

some

and
addition,I joined political

In

task

got

Calcutta.

of

house

seized

too

to

away

the

in

up

63

NIGHT

SUPREME

THE

in

word

fight him.
laugh at

us

provincials.
I

had

come

to

Calcutta

to

be

Nazir

or

THE

64
Head

SUPREME

Clerk, but

Mazzini

or

laid their heads

I had

Surabala's

father

togetherto

unite

Calcutta

to

come

Surabala

in my

past the

of

remain

to

for

age

would

old

not

father's

told

so

before

marry

it

now

was

almost

was

was

secret

my

life and

die

to

father

my

that

finished

had

fifteen ;

then.

But

marriage.

of

age

all my

unmarried

in

us

father

my

opinion I

marriage.

country

my

and

the

at

eight years

was

and
eighteen,

vow

become

preparing to

was

Garibaldi.

this time

At

NIGHT

my

education.
In two

had
I

been

was

or

three

married

to

pleadernamed

that Surabala

I learnt

months

Lochan.

Ram

for raising
subscriptions
busy collecting

then

fallen India, and

this

did

news

not

worth

seem

my

thought.
matriculated,and

I had

Intermediate

the

died.
maintain

leave

to

After

good

of second
small
I

town

alone

mother

my

and

collegeand

in the

look

in the

is

for

father

my

had

I had

to

fore
there-

employment.

I secured

matriculation

in the Noakhali

thought,here

out

at

appear

world, but

sisters.

two

deal of exertion

master

to

Examination, when

not

was

about

was

the post
of

school

District.

justthe

work

for

me

THE

my

SUPREME

and

of my

pupilsas

began

future

the

enthusiasm,
I

am

twisted

by

the

bowed

with

has

creature

One

not

close

to

The

the

on

the

big

tank.

As

it
and

sunset

cud

to

chew.

was

tail

my

and

have

to

Such

caper.

bachelor,this

in which
at

cast

shed

the school

sat.

distance
and

work

from

beside

betel-nut,cocoa-nut,
near

very

together,and

thatched

town,

were

large ancient

some

the

buildingtwo

on

day,patiently

at

lodged in

portion of

trees,

plough

then

prance

home

the field of

of the

clods all

stood

Around

madar

my

lived in the school-house,to

me.

school-house

inhabited

outside

the

bullock, get

to
spirit

largecottage

the

and

Indian

of the teachers

thrown

got

months

I enter

yoke

get any

can

fires.
guard against
was

few

quiet of

the

head, and

be satisfied if i

pending
im-

the

anything

in

master, break

my

that

pressing affair

of

the

bear

to

like

India.

headmaster

but when

plans;

vast

neck

In

genius.

I have

work,

and

talked

every

flagged.

too,

no

form

my

future

The

algebra. And

or

grammar

may

India.

train up

more

of

whenever

angry

was

65

found

then

and

work,

to

generalfor

examination
than

shall

inspirationI

advice

one

NIGHT

mm

cool shade

to
trees

the

school

close

grew

around.
F

One

thing

indeed

Ray,

that

his wife

with

him.

not

lived

Surabala

the fact

mention

he

at

had

linked

The
my
of

visit

to

him.

Surabala

that

way.
Babu.

Lochan

Ram

to

fit
to

life in
any

my

such

subjectwas
two

while

hour

an

one's hooka.
heard

engaged, I

footfall ;

eyes

at

freelypour
it for

over

; but

matter

could

one

much

very

in

side

-room

possible
jingleof bracelets,crackle

dress, and

All

was

the

over

sorrow

puffingat

thus

opening of

that he

that

sentimental

softest

curious

Not

heart-broken

or

While
the

with

present-dayIndia.

forth one's
or

known

think

not

of
has gone
out
subjectof our conversation
the unhappy condition
mind
; probablyit was

concerned
the

Babu.

first introduction

holidayI paid a

One

did

lived

"

I had

remember
clearly

not

ever

that

knew
I

my

Indeed, I did
been

Lochan

Ram

childhood.

in

I also knew

earlyplaymate,Surabala

my

whether

say

pleader,Ram

school.

our

near

it worth

considered

long

so

local Government

The

"

mention, and

forgottento

acquaintedwith

I got
cannot

I have

had

mentioning.
Lochan

NIGHT

SUPREME

THE

66

were

the
once

and

felt certain

watching

me

that

through

of
two

small

window.
there

flashed

upon

my

memory

THE

68
to

But

you.

you

to

! that's
to

life's

is

and

has muttered

mankind

few

not

the

exact

not

be

of

of

is

her

been.

stranger,

sin !

while

"

texts,
religious
from

society;

home,

working

was

ties.

domestic

from

preach a

to

come

of

nowhere,
and

in

the

one

of

rest

within
far

mine

could
the

not

that

of

Surabala,
Lochan's

Ram

his.

means

any

The

thought

improper,
"

but

it

unnatural.

Thereafter
of

by

sense

and

to

it may

though

not

than

more

wish

no

only expressing

am

shelter

admit, unreasonable

have

ethical code,

new

mind,

my

mind

my

reigning there

kind

of all my

have

might

off Surabala

reasonable.

banish

was

things,closer

sharer

much

have

not

forbidden, to talk with her

set

revolutionise

asunder

was,

to

I have

tear

she

"

think

to

carried

has

to

besides,the

is

her

on

all

of

me

distant,so

so

she

Lochan, coming suddenly from

this Ram

swoop

to

sorrows,

she is

look

to

Dearest

improper,and

or

been

have

not

might

What

the world

joys
now,

that

she

might

true.

me

than

me

And

what

'

Ah
been

NIGHT

SUPREME

work.

class hummed,

could
At

when

not

noon

Nature

set

when

my
the

outside

mind

boys

to

in

simmered

any

my
in

THE
the

when

sun,

entered

the

wished,
I

the

say, that

can

I did

correctingthe

When

in my

by

school

was

the

and

tank

to

thing

I could
I

the

be

to

and

her, and

he

scolds

vain

other
is

lived
I

had

who
to

"

no

"

has

lots
his

by

very

of

He

no

whom,

quietly

money

he

different

wise

dinner

when

bangle!

is

happily.

ended

husband,

earning
when

chance

villageschool

was

right

longings.

Ray,

maidens,

Surabala,and

givesher

of

of

web
the

the

and

pleader;

he

when

"

Surabala's

I sat

as

do

to

Garibaldi,

Lochan

paid

palms,I

cocoa-nut

over

master

live

to

one

gloaming

sense

marriage,Surabala

Government

humour

bear

not

and

Ram

hundred

married

cooked

future

Surabala

second

pleader

his

hearts

be

specialcall

from

those

societyis

the

married

must

before

has

our

have

becoming
And

of

meaninglessbreeze

the

human

right time,

break

we

to

the

betel- and

the

nobody

the

at

In

me.

that

muse

mistakes

But

life in

yet, if any

; and

listened

sighingthrough

gone

all my

I could

over,

visit,it bored

used

this

for ; but

pass

exercises

grammar

largelonely house

to

then

of India.

hopes

me

wish

not

blossoms

nim

I wished

what

not

the

tepid breeze,

the

on

I know

"

of

scent

sweet

room

69

NIGHT

SUPREME

is
is in

as

badly
good

is sleek and

SUPREME

THE

70

NIGHT

fat,tidily
dressed, free from
he

never

the

and

stars

few

in her

the tank

eveningsby

gazing at

sighing.

Lochan

Ram

for

his

passes

of worry

kind

every

days by

house

called

was

big

was

town

our

Surabala

elsewhere.

case

lonelyas

as

from

away

school

in my

was

building.
I remember

drizzle

heavens
All
about

the

black

in the

sky as

descended
the

aspect of the

the

school

the

closed

began

clouds

began

early.
to

run

in

accompanied by

torrents,

night

the

advanced
At

fury

first the

of

wind

wind

blew

towards

to

sleepon

such

and

easterly;

was

and

storm.

the

south

south-west.
It

was

idle

remembered
was

more

while

to

try

in

her

house.

stronglybuilt
I

plan to

I meant
I could

to
not

night.

than

her

bungalow.

invite her

pass the
summon

school

Our

to

the

was

Often

courage

much

and

school-house,

nightalone by the
up

Surabala

in this terrible weather

that

alone

often did

But

At

was

if

graduallyit veered,
and

It

morning.

detached

increased.

water

sky

grand
making ready for some
afternoon,the rain
day, towards

display. Next
As

the

headmaster

our

day

from

o'clock.

ten

at

The

Monday.

was

clouds

with

overcast
to

it

for it.

tank.

THE
When

it

of

roar

sea

the

was

SUPREME

wave

rushing on

us

Surabala's

was

In

it the

alreadyreached

mounted
The

the

of

highest part
feet above

seventeen

I climbed

As
it from

up the

fibre of

my

soul

thrilled with

at

we

; all else

two

It

was

blotted

if

harm

us

made

our

torrent

covered

sky

had

we

held

ourselves
a

even

Only

feet swirled

she

once,

and

was,

every

my

whole
I had

there

with

no

stood
the

utter

the

had

stars

lightsof

would

have
But

word

inquiry after

gazing

stood

area

water.

then.

converse

to

in

yards

; all the

formal

we

reached

person

Who

cataclysm;

darkened

bring

health.
At

of the

out

three

was

than

more

recognisedme.

some

of

time

been

had

not

island

an

it.

on

consciousness.

the

dou,bt that she, too, had

On

was

bank, another

knew

body

bank

plain.

the

opposite side.

the

was

the

to

When

broke

wave

one

wading

was

knees.

my

ran

stood

way
I

as

second

and

room

the

tank, and

bank,

the

"

house.

our

the

morning,

suddenly heard,

I left my

of

71

the

embankment
flood

in

half-pastone

was

tidal

towards

NIGHT

at

the

been

the earth
been
we

could

neither
the

no

of

other's

darkness.

dense, black, wild, roaring

of death.

To-day

Surabala

has

come

to

my

side, leaving

SUPREME

72

THE

the whole

world.

In

from

life in another

of

span

orb, and

time, she

lightand
amidst

terrible

this

that tender

bud

wafted

the

me

and

to

from

from

torn

and

May
live

stalks

the

made

this

that

I have

flood

abated

shed

Head

point of
we

without
:

nor

May

to

shall

we

the earth,

kinsfolk

and

This

of

Surabala

husband

by

brink

the

the

out,

her

to

Clerk,

bloom,

sit apart,

now

come

and

without

I reflected

flung

one

Nature's

structi
de-

tasted eternal bliss.

night wore
back

Nature's

and

wave

which

never

wave

night,standing on

my

more

long and happily,girt round

The

side

my

in death.

one

children, household

went

in full

extreme

on

by

the flood of death

and

One

wide

full of

so

of

this

on

of birth had

flower,now

same

else.

be swept away

alone

gloom

stream

me,

side

my

earth,

stand

desolate

before

come

to-day,after

left that

The

none

by

; and

beings,to

human

death-convulsion.

had

stood

has

had

me.

of mystery, from

primevalrealm

peopled earth

luminous

besides

none

this Surabala

childhood

dark

some

she has

To-day

far-off

our

NIGHT

spoken, Surabala

word

I, too, returned

house, and

havinguttered
True,
a

I have

Garibaldi

ceased, the

tempest

word.

become
; I

am

to

no

Nazir

onlythe

or

second

of

master

for

brief

its

NIGHT

SUPREME

THE

space

But

school.

beggarly

beamed

73

upon

one

my

had

night
whole

life's

course.

That

of

my

my

one

allotted
humble

night,
span,

existence.

out

has

of

been

all

the

the

days
supreme

and

nights

glory

of

AND

RAJA

BIPIN

his

KISORE

twice

natural
the

result

house
He

for

not

like

life's
the

long

command

fool

He

handicap.
of

of

man

music,

wheel

The

it.
live

in

long

born.

young

in

squander

earn

not

in

spoon

to

to

could

he

was

delicate

adept

an

road

he

how

how

as

golden

knew

that

was

where

was

unfit

well

as

'with

he

hence

money

born

was

'

mouth

RANI

in

wonted

and

of

life's

along
He

car.

style

ance,
appear-

business,

rolled

Jagannath's

his

comely

could

magnificent

living.
Luckily,
got

back

his

intent

was

Party.
Bipin

to

any

excesses.

was

Court

him

B.A.

77

Wards,
Theatre
looks

endowments,
his
He

the

Though

of

prepossessing

of

having

Amateur

an

musical

his

admitted

Chittaranjan

the

by

and
'

the

organising

Captivated
Kisore

Chittaranjan,

from

property
upon

Raja gladly

Raja

however,

son

of
the

crew.'
not

was

of

rich

given
man,

AND

RAJA

78
he

used

and

dine

to

became

of

enamoured

Often

did

that

for

of his

The

much

Raja was

thought

women

man

upon

good
is he

that
earth

the

of

think

the

merits

otherwise

the

who

has

blabbered

her

anxietyto her, but

if her husband's

husband,
luckless

with

away

know

him,

smiled,

only

The

dependents have

only
monial
matri-

behind
is

meals
a

not

favours

the

ears

moment

cares

there

regard,is

woman's

her

one

; and

That

women.

this

at

they love

deserve

little

never

He

deserts.

into

husband's
she

his heart

whom

only objectof

and

of

folk

men's

man

hour

do

on

youthfulwife.

scripturesof

incantations.
usual

Dewan

her

at

could

him

"

other

whose

be many
in

The

the

his inordinate

was

pleasedin

and

recorded

him

feel.

his

may

old while

in the

raved

she

sooner

seeming jealousyof

never

master

drink.

with

wastinghimself

was

the easier she would

The

nightsgrow

Kumari

Basanta

baboon.

suddenly

unto

discussed

hours

Bipin Kisore.

said that he

and

he

one

only blemish

the

perfectcharacter
Rani

And

operaticcompositions.

remarked

fondness

and
and

Bipin

to

of

merits

appointed

Bipin like

cool

meals

he listened

sleep at

appointed places.

at

even

and

RANI

world

the

of

brass button
mouthful

or

sex

might

did

not

hyperbolic laudations

in

wife's presence,

just

provoke

to

softer

the

Chittaranjanit

to

often

he

would

of

Bipin

unpleasant. Thus,

seem

indulge

at, but

cavilled

be

79

of
partiality

inconsiderate

This

not.

RANI

AND

RAJA

in

displayof

his
her

fulminations.
delightful
But

what

death
as

to

is their

hanger-on,
still.

wilful

and
and

comforts,

'

royal couple,was

of

Rani's

the

the

forgetto

to

wretched

wilful
after his

look

Bipin'sinfinite chagrin

to

house,

apatheticand

more

grew

of the
from

cue

neglect

contrived

They

servants

their

took

wont,

apathetic

The

Bipin.

poor

the

to

sport

was

and

untold

sufferings.

said

'

do

you
whole

You
all

through
is

the

the

rebuked

Pute,

servant

always shirkingwork

are

day

under

Rani

the

Once

the

taken

day

'

in

up

'

and

what

do

Pray, madam,

the

serving Bipin

Maharaja'sorders,'stammered

Babu

the

poor

valet.
The

eh ?

Nawab,
the

took

retorted

Rani
'

cover

hands

the

orts

as

food

Bipin often

Your

Bipin Babu

enough

was

From

hint.

Bipin Babu's
to

This

'

the

they were,
for

scoured

him.

his

for Pute.

day

next

very

and

With
own

is a great

at

times

He
he

left

forgot

unpractised
dishes

and

not

8o

AND

RANI

without

meals.

RAJA

went
unfrequently

in him

whine

to

in him

not

with

and

himself

lower

to

menials.

He

did

and
Now

the

after due
the
of

rehearsal.

"

Krishna/ and

sweetlyhe

The

audience
The

asked

stage

the

how

she

beautiful

liked it.

:
jocosely

Have

different

'

to
was

And
a

case

The

of

'

is
do

rare

I look

'

'

voice ?

added

the Rani, and

'

tables

were

now

turned.

Oh,

panegyrics of

of

not

yours

ously
glorinoble
said

fair p
is

again fell t
Bipin Kisore.
He

began to deprecate. The

weary

"

Raja

Am

sweet

and

replied:

of

The
?

Rani

Arjuna

scion

the

joy.

Rani

the histrionic abilities of

now
praise,
never

how

not

dilatingon
The

voice

like

part

looked

he

the

to

"

the

in

Arjuna.' Oh,

'

Raja came

look

does
His

family.

fitted up

was

of

Indeed, Bipin acted the part of

! He

tensifi
in-

ready

was

Raja acted

that

how

the

disfavour

applauded in transports

play over,
her

sang

took

while

Subhadraharan

Bipin

was

bounds.

no

The

It

he

thus

Rani's

palacecourt-yard. The

how

'

of

opera

it ;

And

last knew

at

not

was

Raja.

mind

not

the

grew,

it

by petty squabblings

everythingin good part.

Raja's favours

the

to

report

But

who

used

Raja,who

indulgingin high-sounding
Bipin before his consort, now

AND

RAJA

RANI

81

suddenly fell reflecting

that, after all,unthinking
people
What

made

of

much

too

Bipin'sactual

extraordinaryabout

was

voice?

short

one

of

and

mysterious way

those

his appearance

before

while

unthinking
he

merits.

himself

he
but

men,

or

in

was

sudden

of

developed symptoms

!
thoughtfulness
From

the
made

was

the

Raja :

Bipin
the

of

day following,every
undoubtedly

the

*; for all

means/

The
the

turned

there

is

with

Kachari

md

Bipin'smeals.

It

'

Babu

for

might

he

Once
ot

of the

heard

her

What

'

on

him

Raja,and

I have

Bipin Babu
cleanse
1

his

the

he
is
own

can

to

that

'

the

the

after

veritable Nawab,
himself ?

'

Pute

servant

see

the

to

Bipin Babu

This

for

Raja

According

livelongday.'

dishes

'

the occasion

and

angered the

exclaimed, highly nettled

a

not.

do ?
look

Ha

'

proposed

being reprimanded by

ani's behests

vait

and

man

royal weanling.

'

properly laying his cloth,

plied:

once

performanceon

in

Raj

Raja ejaculatedcurtly:

be another

on

lodge

to

was

Rani

told

Rani

wrong

is,he

now

subject. The

heard

Raja

The

ment
arrange-

petty officers of the

of the first-rice ceremony

The

good

'

Can't

The

as
cuteberry: offices
Kachari, generallyanglicised

Pshaw

servant,
and

courts.

!
he
as

before,took
his former
The

sat

and

cue,

liked

Bipin lapsed back

Bipin'ssongs

gainsayingit.

no

Bipin

of

music

RANI

in

would

Not

Raja began again his

sleepingat regularhours.
end.

an

of

listen from

adjoiningroom.

an

sweet

her husband

discourses

the

to

they were

"

When

the wonted

to

evening,she

an

screen

and

into

wretchedness.

was

with

the

his

Rani

there

"

AND

RAJA

82

sweet

behind

wards,
long after-

old habit of
The

dining

music

Bipin'sevening services

were

came

no

more

needed.

Chittaranjanused

Raja
zemindari
earlier

affairs

Rani

was

replied:

made
from

end

no

of

efforts

her husband's

On

without

the
a

fellow would
Nor

was

the

thought as
a

he

came

ing
read-

consort

what

his

she

read,

aback, but promptly

over

We

few

to

from

songs

have

had

not

any

musical

your

she who

had

herself

eradicate

the

hobby

mind.

morrow

get

his

askingher

! it was

woman

after

day

abruptlyof

tired

you

Poor

hobby/

his

song-book.

since

music

On

conning

am

Bipin Babu's

found

and

little taken

One

noon.

the zenana,

to

something.
the

at

look

to

to

morsel

this the

Raja
how

dismissed
and

henceforth

only

matter

where

Bipin
"

the poor

!
of

regret

to

THE

TRUST

PROPERTY

BRINDABAN
and

KUNDU

said

off

am

Jaganath
back

wretch

all that

have

be

it will

time

'

on

food

your

enough

me

ing,
cloth-

and

yourself

give

to

paid

have

you

spent

father,

the

sneered

When

'

rage

moment/

this

Kundu.

in

father

his

to

came

Ungrateful

PROPERTY

TRUST

THE

these

airs.'
food

Such

Our

clothe

respects
live

of

up

to

it

in

attempt

long

an

was

as

keep

that

ideal

due

That

partly
society

he
to

was

and

soul

and

outlay.
in

these

could

the

around

demands

body

87

his

very

feed

to

small

high.

Brindaban

cost

incredibly

unreasonable

to

have

managed

showed

in

customary

was

not

old

degenerate

certain

to

So

on

equally

the

partly
her

of

behaviour

was

as

could

rishis

themselves

Jaganath's

fully

clothing

household

Jaganath's
much.

and

not

bad

ence
influ-

him,
of

and

Nature

together.

single, things

went

THE

88

TRUST

PROPERTY
after his

smoothly enough, but

depart from

to

cherished

comfort

spiritualto
of

the

His

clear that

was

moving

He

of

away

son's

from

the

ways

put

to

up

cold, thirst and

and

heat

of food

minimum

the

imitatingthe

unwilling

was

standard

rarefied

material,and

the

world.

hunger.

It

were

the discomforts

with

and

high

his sire.

by

of

ideas

the

marriagehe began

and

clothingrose

apace.

Frequent
and

the

wife

last Brindaban's

At

son.

the father

quarrelsbetween

the

were

became

seriouslyill and

when

prescribeda costlymedicine

his

the

doctor

patient,
Jaganath took

incompetence,and
At

first Brindaban

treatment

to

about

him

abused

died, he

it

turned

to

;
no

his

father

to

allow

the

with
quarrelled

he

his wife

When

purpose.
father

for

him

then

But

in.

proof of sheer
out
immediately.

as

besought his

continue

it,but

called

kabiraj1was

called

and

him

murderer.
c

Nonsense

even

after

'

! said the father.

swallowing all

costly medicines

kings and
expect

emperors

your
1

wife

could
are

to

die

Don't
of

kinds

immortal
with

by
Country doctor, unqualified

any

more

medical

peopledie
drugs

life,how

save

not

If

is it that
You

don't

pomp

and

training.

did

than

ceremony

before

from

overwhelmed

Neither

had

taken

their exit from

the

the

at

sat

his

mother
grandmaking
time-

the

was

die

unwillingto

according

English had newly

time

the unorthodox

proper

family. But, alas, the

the

speak of.

we

old folks

days, the good

remote

this

been

not

before

medicine

The

custom.

country

at

and

of

he

nor

world, and

this

generationwas

to

mother

any

custom

ancient

those

his

great

incapableof

griefand

with

thinking.

to

derived

words, had

these

mother
grand-

your

'

might reallyhave

consolation

younger

89

and

mother

your

her, do you

Brindaban

honoured

PROPERTY

TRUST

THE

of the

ways

Even

in

fied
horri-

were

generation,

new

draw

speechless,
trying to

come

comfort

from

their hookas.
Be
to

that

his old
The

it may,

as

fogy of

father

that,should

modern

the

father

'

he

ever

give his

son

holy

of

blood

similarlywished
from
as

his

wished

that, should

his act

father,his

act

he

shedding

as

in

his

turn

accept anything

ever

might

publicly

singlepice in

one

Brindaban

cows.

said

off/

am

instantly
agreed,and

future, the gods might reckon

the

Brindaban

be held

as

bad

matricide.
The

people

of

the

villagelooked

upon

this

THE

90
small

revolution

of

monotony.

his

only son,

All

TRUST

only

And

father for the

sake

in

these

sound

was

you

But

your

when

can

wife

'

find

second

for love

or

perfect,but

was

the

trouble

not

misguided

the

the contrary, he looked

can't

Nor

mind

heavilyon

the

place,his

absence

his

by

great anxiety. The

and

son

When

he

the

thought

had

abated

ate

heir

had

his scanty

of

there

father

Brindaban

somewhat

fear of

In

was

one

tender

the

On

weigh
the

first

hold
the house-

freed

was

haunted

This

death
son

him.
banish

never

his mind.
the

did

beingpoisoned

always

after

the

mercy.

reduced

that
and, now
daughter-in-law,
it disappearedaltogether.
But

as

fare,he could

poison from

logic

much.

very

it

home

delay.

get another

Then, again,the father

expenses.
from

son

of his father.

from

dies/

suspect that

we

separationfrom

did

wife

Their

money/

upon

reason

without

hopelessnessof getting another

utter

possible

your
one

him.

quarrel

to

was

And

When

father dies,you

replacehim
doubt

of

too.

console

to

opinion that

degeneratedays.

they said,

no

did his best

one

every

long period

Jaganath disinherited

when

in the

they gave

to

great relief after

unanimous

were

with

as

PROPERTY

was

fear

of

his

gone,

spot in the old man's

THE

92

bitterlybecause
within

the

stood

in

short

them

away

be

not

dhoti

in his

safe,and

Gokul

did

not

His

longer could

No

Even

home.

body

and

return,
home

empty

the old

poor

Jaganath

seemed

emptier

to

habits.

of

and

"

up

their

day, when

praisingthe
No

so

one

have

old

go

is

cal
gentleman'seconomito

in

say his real name,

without

people gave

current
superstition

of it.

very

composed by

verses

ventured
to

boys,at sightof

him

Bengal

his

called him
that

if

meal

that

after their

names

man

miserlyindividual,he has to go without

and Jaga"^j^would
Jaganathis the Lord of Festivity,
of

all

play,and, retiringin

fancy. Elderly people

It

the

The

safe distance, chant

should

lest he

own

at
peacefully

stay

man

in hand.

give

local poet,

destroyed

in the

hooka
village,

him, would

name

again,he

village
enjoyedtheir aftersiesta,
Jaganathmight be seen roaming over

dinner

fully
care-

a
registered

if he

even

the

upon
He

back

come

ever

in the middle

folks
respectable

day

bedroom.

tears

now

day.

every

gazed

he

as

reprimanded

aged rapidly.

the

years ;

pieces

year.

Gokul

But

two

the

lying in

that, should

one

of

space

into

his dhoti

torn

Jaganath's eyes

put

should

had

he

dirty remnants

vow

PROPERTY

TRUST

Jaganash,2
pronounces

his meal
mean

that
the

the

day.

despoiler

but

the

It may

old

call him

be that

93

generation preferred

younger

vampire

the

had

man

the

why

reason

to

PROPERTY

TRUST

THE

hard

was

to

guess.

bloodless,dried-up skin

of

the

physical resemblance

to

the

some

vampire's.
ii

One

afternoon,

usual

saw

the

them

of

his

the

quite

close

chadar.

back

of

and

made

old

the

him

and

result
to

and

glee.

the

that

swearing,the gamcha

head

turban.

of

the

body,
from

had

Jaganath

the
new

next

on

boy,

but

came

his

Sudden

head

to

boys,who
gone

it

own

sprang

down

ran

his

fright
foot, to
shouted

far, cursing

his shoulder

moment

away

live lizard

jungle.

shiver

run

shake

to

of the other

Before

not

approached,

the

man

allegianceto

sworn

did

old man's

the

disappeared,and

all

by

novelty
startling

the

began

was

off towards
poor

and

he

as

the great amusement

with

mango

Won

prank.

others, he

man

to

on

by

as

explainingto

and

new

had

boys

the

The

it

some

his character

Unlike

from

out

of

ideas,the

him.

shaded

villageboys

the

scheme

the force of

rambling

was

boy, apparentlya stranger, assuming

captaincyof

the

Jaganath

villagelanes

the

through

topes, he

when

was

transformed

suddenly
seen

into

on

THE

94

The

TRUST

novel

great relief

boy

had

at

last

'

coaxing and

conversation
your

"

Nitai

'

Where's

Who's

your

"

Won't

tell.'

'

Why

'

Because

'

What

'

made

After

promises,he

to

him, and this

'

run

to

have

must

from

send

to

such

been

home.'

'

it ?

school.'

it would

boy

to

me

Jaganath that

send

to

'

away

do

you

'

'

father wanted

to

be useless

school,and his

fool
unpractical

an

Well, well,'said Jaganath,

to

and

come

Don't

installed

tree

by

stay with

me

'

to

not

himself

the

in
as

would

how

forthwith

Jaganath'shouse.

though

wayside.

it

And

you

'

mind,' said the boy, and

little hesitation
a

any

fair

followed

boy

thought so.

have

like

you

I have

extravagance

father ?

won't

It occurred

'

home

your
tell.'

My

since

him.

come

my

as

Pal/

Won't

father

many

which

name,

"

with

to

came

long

was

freedom

such

persuaded the boy

What's

It

Jaganath.

to

taken

the

was

of this manikin

attentions

deal of

good

PROPERTY

were

not

He

he

felt

the

shadow

only

that.

as

of
He

began

proclaim his

to

thought

have

beforehand
not

had

been

of his
child

he

for

to

in full
he

wrong,

old

the

It

man.

the better

man's

another

where

concerned, he had

was

reckoning

Jaganath to get

now,

would

you

anything went

child ; but,

own

that

quarrel with

enough

easy

food

regardshis

as

his

paid

and, when

95

coolness

had

scrupleto

did

wishes

such

clothingwith

and

PROPERTY

TRUST

THE

acknowledge defeat.

in

The
Nitai

of

people
Pal

unexpectedly made

was

felt

Jaganath. They
and

near,

his

property*to

hearts
to

the

do

of him

boy

an

and
'

Young

the

he

The

old

was

envy,

as

he

you
the

was,

this

end

their

made

determined

they

took

man

care

rib in his breast.

to

that
say

he

to

would

him

all the property

go

ingly
tempt-

possess.'

boy fullyunderstood

the

promise.

villagepeople then began to

after the father

man's

old

by

bequeathingall

the old

used

man

I will leave

grandeur of

with

with

times, the boy threatened

away,

the

brat

unknown

injury,but

though

as

At

this

Furious

sore.

that

sure

of

much

so

prospect of his

the

was

when

villagemarvelled

the

of

the

compassion for

the

boy.

Their

make

inquiries

hearts

agonisedparents,

melted

and

they

TRUST

THE

96
declared
them
his

that

the

much

so

that

one

Damodar

and

was

even

take

him, saying:
find

can

to

run

you

not

"

it

justice.
from a wayfarer
lost son,

the

village.
restless

very

future

Jaganath reassured

hide

where

you
the

even

on

did

leaving his

of itself.
to

abuses

of

towards

away,

mean

cause

they

this,became

heard

to

seekinghis

was

coming

care
c

which

learned

Pal

he

ready
to

rascal

sense

man

now

Nitai, when
wealth

with

rather than
the old

day

was

heat

the

betrayedenvy

and

be

must

son

suffering.They heaped

head, but

One

PROPERTY

nobody

villagepeople

themselves/
This
said
'

'

whetted

the

Oh, where

of
curiosity

People will know,

tillit is

show

Do

the

and

boy

he

me/

if I show

you

Wait

now.

night/ said Jaganath.

of

the mysterioushidingdiscovering
He plannedto himself how,
Nitai.
placedelighted

The

as

he

hope

soon

his father

as

would

have

hide-and-seek.
him.
ransack

would
At

noon,

without

away

him,

his comrades, and

be

would

it be fun ?

the whole
rare

gone

bet with

Nobody

Wouldn't

be

had

His

and
village,

able

to

play
find

father,too, would
not

find him

"

that

fun also.

Jaganathshut

the

boy

up in his house,

THE
and

TRUST

disappearedfor

home

again,Nitai

No

sooner

It isn't

night now,
The

him

worried

When

with

he

came

questions.

Nitai

than

now

go

said

father,
Grand-

'

night yet,1repliedJaganath.

little while

we

97

time.

some

it dark

was

shall

PROPERTY

later

the

grandfather
;

boy

come

exclaimed

let's

go.'

gone

to

and

said

people haven't
village

It is

'

bed

yet,'

whisperedJaganath.
Nitai

have

to

gone

have.

bed

Let's

The

the

grandfather
; I

advanced.

of
eyelids
him

.the
to

keep

stillness,
except the occasional

sleepingvillage.Not

all the other

chorus,

or

by

unusual

Across

dogs far

perhaps
the

hour.

many

the

sound

Jaganathfast by

it

Nitai
the
a

boy's arm,

sound

trembled

lanes

of

would

flappingof

dog,

joinin

night-bird,

footstepsat
with

and

disturbed

howl

near

of human

fear,and

that

held

arm.

field

jungle, where

and

was

night,
mid-

At

house, groping through the dark

the

to

awake.

of the

the

scared

weigh

to

boy, and

poor

of

when

They
they

sure

Sleep began

Jaganath caught hold

left the

am

now.'

for
struggle

hard

moment,

now,

start

night

heavilyon
a

but

waited

they went,

stood

and

at

last

came

dilapidatedtemple
H

THE

98
without
Nitai

of

tone

like what

had

he

mystery about

seek

It

not

was

From

with

was

the

removed

and

deserted

of

of

it

in

the

Fear

boy.

and

that

saw

all sides of him.

assan? and

the

curiosity

there

by

were

In the middle

front

in

room

to

Jaganath descended
boy

an

his comrades

revealed

was

the

lay spread

templeslike

underground

an

him.

on

from

the floor inside, Jaganath

Nitai followed

ghurrasl

much

not

there.

Looking around,
brass

nothing

was

was

quitepossiblethat

assailed his little heart.

ladder

exclaimed

placefor playinghide-and-

bad

middle

eyes

It

'

Often, since running away

lamp burning

astonished

here !

There

imagined.

slab of stone, and

What,

disappointment.

him

track

passednightsin

; still it

might

PROPERTY

it.

it.

home, he had
this.

in

god

in

TRUST

of

it

were

arrangedvermilion,sandal paste, flowers,and other

his curiosity
articles of puja. To
the boy
satisfy
dipped
drew

his

hand

their

out

into

of

some

the

They

contents.

ghurras^

and

rupees

and

were

gold mohurs.
Jaganath,addressingthe boy,said
Nitai, that
1

I would

give

water-pot holding about

2

prayer

all my

you
three

gallons

carpet.

'

I told you,
money.

of water.

sit there like

To
made
he

TRUST

THE

ioo

poor

PROPERTY

god, and

feel very

Nitai

recited

mantras
"

uneasy.

Grandfather/

whispered.
But

Jaganath

mutteringhis

I do

all this

to

treasure

Kundu,
the

or

or

to

on

the

any

him

repeat the

that I will make

the

of

the

other

the

to

or

son

the

Kundu,
of

grandson

over

Jaganath

grandson

said

to

or

Chandra

Gokul

of his who

progeny

son

may

heir.'
rightful

be the

boy repeated this

The

felt

he

grow

stiff in his mouth.

the air of the

the earthen
The

two.

become

The

boy

dry

burning.

lamp

as

He

lamp

was

and

began

the ceremony

laden

with

the

dust, and

smoke

of
breath-poison

was

his hands

and

to

was

felt that the roof of his mouth

the
had

feet

were

nearlysuffocated.

became

dimmer

altogether.In

then

went

that

followed,Nitai could

out

the

again,

over

his tongue

When

cave

and

over

and
stupefied,

until

over,

made

Chandra

Kundu,
to

went

Gokul

great-grandson

Kundu,

and

boy

solemnlypromise

Brindaban

of

the

after him

followingvow

reply, and

not

he dragged each
great difficulty

before

ghurra

did

incantations.

with
Finally,

of

hear

hear

and
the
the

dimmer,
total
old

man

and

darkness
climb-

TRUST

THE

ing

going

to

'

ladder.

the

up

'

No

Remember

the

Brindaban,

and

Grandfather, where

and

voice

was

came

Gokul

the

grandson

boy implored

the

heard

and

"

his

more

stifled,

to

go

he could

far far below

interior
or

is

Yaksa

poetry.
under

In

cover

circumstances

as

It seemed

of

with

and

loose

wailing.

come

ear

to

almost
from

the

to

the

him

that

abysmal depth of

the
a

has

stone

away

placed his

listen.

supernatural being
Yak

then

hands

night was

himself

he

from

"

the

bricks

The

tear

came

"

Bengal,

such

to

and

"

in the

up

broken

again

tried

'

top of all he planted turfs

the

not

and

Nitai's

still.

wealth

jungle weeds.

ground, and
earth's

to

piled
On

knelt

then

stone.

everythingwas

"

he

Now

spot.

He

Father

"

placed his

it.

over

spent, but

treasure,

of

son

with
heavy objectfalling

some

thus

of grass and

and

you.

I want

'

the

on
'

then

Then

mortar

Yak

the

In

slab.

ear

once

of

sound

earth.

you

Jaganath.'

ladder.

the

yak? Jaganath began

from

of

find

to

Chandra,

name

placed

Having
a

able

will be

one

Jaganath replaced the

bump

you

father/

to

down

are

greatlydistressed.

withdrew

then

agonised voice
back

101

going now,' replied Jaganath ;

here.

He

said he,

am

remain

PROPERTY

described
to

mean

in this story.

in
a

It

seemed

Sanskrit

ghostly

the
to

mythology
custodian

of

THE

102

him

that

TRUST

the

PROPERTY
flooded

night-skywas

with

that

one

sound, that the sleepinghumanity of all the world

awake, and

was

its

on
sitting

was

beds, tryingto

listen.
old

The
earth

frenzy kept
He

wanted

heaping

on

somehow

sound, but still he fancied

to

could

he

hear

Father.'
He

his

higherand higher.

stifle that
"

in

man

Be

the spot with

struck

quiet people might

"

heard

imagined he
The

hear

left the

up

the

horizon.

eastern

temple,and

into the

came

fields.

open

There,
Startled

too,

at

the

somebody

called

sound, he turned

"

out

back

and

hear

my

Father/
his

saw

his heels.

at
'

might and said :

you/ But still he

Father.'

lighted

sun

Jaganath then

son

'

all his

Father,' said Brindaban,

hiding himself

in your

house.

'

I
I

boy

him

have

must

is

back/
With
old

man

dilated

eyes
leaned

distorted

and

forward

and

mouth,

exclaimed

the

Your

boy?'
'

and
Your

Yes, my
I

boy

Gokul.

myself go by

fame

has

the

He
name

is Nitai
of

spread so widely in

Pal

Damodar
the

now,

Pal.

neighbour-

THE
that

hood,
lest

we

obligedto

were

103

cover

refused

have

should

people

PROPERTY

TRUST

to

origin,

our

up

our

pronounce

names.'

old

Slowly the
his head.
as

His

imaginary objectin

He

air.

the

above

arms

convulsively,
of

hold

catch

trying to

was

his

twitch

began to
fingers

he

though

lifted both

man

fell

then

some

the

on

ground.
When
his

he

both

were

inside

wailingsound
'

Do

you

carefully. Do

you

'

they

hear

any

'

No, I don't,'said Brindaban.

Just listen

very

Father

"

"

hear

body
any-

'

No.'

This

seemed

From

About

at

four

up

his hands

hear

used

raving dotard.

years

away
more

state

light

of

from

his

and
of

in the air he

on

this world
eyes,

and

'

his
was

his

difficult,he

more

delirium.
seemed

about

go

later, Jaganath lay

the

in

any

to

wailingsound

the

became

suddenly sat

he

you

gradually fading
breathing

greatly.

Do

When

death-bed.

him

day forward,

that

They laughed

relieve

to

askingpeople :

both

When

temple.

said

it,he

out
calling
4

again,he dragged

senses

ruined

the

towards

son

his

to

came

to

Throwing
grope

about

THE

io4

for

something,
ladder

my

and

air

The

slightly

no

practices

stories

in

to

future

heard

ghostly

in

light

no

fell

region

see

once

where

no

eternal

world's

the

in

his

to

bed

his

on

that

out

the

custodians

Bengal

by

the

it

victim
in

this

miserly

one

time.

in

this

passing
till

then

and

he

wealth

way,

stir

became

people

"

to

that

rich

suddenly
them

in

'

past

When

all

this

promise

usual

were

selves
them-

they

over

the

Many

becoming

superstitious

make

was

past,

however,

existence.

must

you

not,'

idea
of

yak.

belonging

author,

the

state

the

of

criminally

under

future

thing

Our

Such

persons

treasure

of
of

happily

now

accounts.

before

childhood

story,
at

current

birth

Guard

me.

from

we

in

to

re-acquire

me

was

into

found

the

from
resorted

would

exacted

he

rare

means

were

treasure

breathe,

described

departs

see

there

of

out

hide-and-seek.1

incidents

by

were

removed

has

climb

to

where

been

ever

of

game

ladder

the

disappeared

has

you

to

and

more,

one

find

dungeon,
no

who

Nitai,

'

to

terrible

PROPERTY

muttering

Unable

across

TRUST

the

by
birth.

'

'

true

coming

THE

RIDDLE

SOLVED

105

THE

io8

of

remission
due

to

any

tenant

In

the

of

large number

entirelyrent-free,and
below

the

in

he

grant

paying up.
of

the

perty,
pro-

his father

that

Brahmins

His

rates.
prevailing

had
land

hold

to

largernumber

justly

rents

management

discovered

Bipin Bihari

much

the

would

singleday'sgrace

one

of

circumstances

no

taking over

allowed

SOLVED

singlepice out

one

him.

On

RIDDLE

at

rents

father

was

the importunate solicitation

incapableof resisting

of others

such

"

Bihari

Bipin
could

not

and

"

he

persons

of

the weakness

was

said

this

could

abandon

the income

reasoned

with

who

were

and

gettingfat

worthless

people,and

had

much

become

gentleman
four

times

could

not

his father

bounden

his expense

at

He

the
Firstly,
the

cessions
con-

lot

were

wholly undeserving of

objectsonly

such

on

Secondly livingnowadays
,

costlier than

Wants

ancestors.

thus

enjoyment of

chanty. Charity bestowed

idleness.

be.

never

of half his property

himself

in actual

encouraged

of his character.

to
as

duty

possiblycould.

to

done.
to

scatter

On

call back

days of

in

So

many

he

left

giftsright and

as

become

days pust.

the contrary, it

his

For

apace.

positionhad

his

up

expensive as

afford
had

increased

had

keep

in the

his

was

of them

as

as

he

THE

Bipin

So

effect what
a

man

Bihari

lost

conceived

he

had

out

little by little.

his father's grants

and

The
at

Benares

journey
to
son

that

in

him

reached

portion of
turbed,
undisthat

arrange

Krishna

Some

post.

Krishna

to

permanent.

Gopal
made

even

their

placeto represent

that

gifts he

Gopal

grievances

wrote

had

made

zemindar

had

statutes

the

payment
Since

the
how

relations

ed,
jf

'we

to

his

from

to

now

and

keep

we

allow

henceforth

shall be ruined

if

we

compensated

many

customary

impositions illegal.

rest

content

what

give

us

be

just

Unless/

over

be left to

anything

concessions

them

go

will

with
c

more.

strict watch

Recent

tenantry.

nothing

won't

tenants

must

his

In

changed.

was

the

by

just dues,

our

can

zemindar

all such

stipulatedrent,
con"5r

had

times

made

received

presents he

The

the

days,he said,the

the

for

We

to

care

be deemed

the

returned

remain

to

was

his displeasure.Bipin Bihari replied,

intimating

former

now,

good

He

duty.

small

very

allow

tenants

person.

pointing out

he

he

not

through

to

Only

did

wails of the

carryinginto

of his grasp,

took

should

those

even

he

in

his

be

to

principles.

gone

109

time

no

of strict

What
him

SOLVED

RIDDLE

the
us

extra

Our

commercial.
strictly
on

making giftsand

the

and

of

keeping up

murmured

well,' he

best, I

might

son

insist on
rather

my

me

refuse

to

I
to

younger
old-

Our
If I

now.

interfere,

the property, and

manage

No, thank
devote

preferto

Well,

"

suppose.

do

going back.

not.

left

won't

methods

fashioned

much.

so

himself, 'the

to

generation knows

findingthat

at

uneasy

changed

have

should

times

became

Gopal

Krishna

are

be rendered

will
position

our

property

our

difficult/

very

my

of
preservation

the

and

endowments,

SOLVED

RIDDLE

THE

no

the service of my

you

I would

"

the few

days that

God.'

ii

So

thingswent

in order

after much

in
litigation

by

less constitutional

of

the

Only

fellow

Bibi,remained

methods

submitted

tenants

called

to

He

free and
rates,

Most

outside.
his will

of

out

of

son

lands

to

should

be
at

some

was

keenest

quiteunderstand

granted rent-free

some

Courts, and

fear.

Mirza

refractory.

could

Mohammedan

the

Asimuddin,

Bipin's displeasurewas
man.

put his affairs

BipinBihari

on.

against this

his father

having

Brahmins, but why this

holding so

rents

riddle

lower
to

him.

much
than
And

land,
the prevailing
what

THE
?

he

was

The

little

He

din's

All

holdings.

had

family

the

to

idea

no

been.

To

his

widow

the

won

of

compassion

was

these

but

back,

they
have

might

that

perhaps the
kind-hearted

the
him

zemindar, by representingto

Asimud-

made

motive

tolerabl
in-

was

tell him

had

They imagined, however,

write

it

about

years

many

what

to

as

Bipin

himself

world,

and

read

to

they could

that

Gopal

Krishna

widow,
whole

the

his clerks

of
inquiries

made

grants

learnt

villageschool.

the

Babu

that

defying

had

he

in

Mohammedan

low

airs and

because

at

of

son

giving himself
simply

SOLVED

RIDDLE

her

and

woe

misery.
To

Bipin

of

had

He

undeserved.

these

comparative

ease

him

to

impudently swindled

out

of

part of his lawful

Asimuddin

than

sooner

came

was

vowed

He

too.

open

The

in

the

at

had

days

gone

he
an

Their

by.

day

present

utterly

dition
pitiablecon-

the

the

be

to

seen

conclusion

and

their

that

his tender-hearted

they

father

income.

stiff-necked

that

give up

seemed

not

people

drove

arrogance

favours

these

would
inch

sort

of

fellow,
his

lay down
of his land.

life

Then

hostilities.

poor

old

widow

tried

her

best

to

pacify

THE

RIDDLE

It is no

with
good fighting

ii2

her

son.

often

she would

alive

kept us

do

Oh, mother

you

know

One

by

'

one,

all that

Asimuddin

her

with

Bipin

tenderness
c

Asim

charge I
were

he

of yours.
small

you,
be
him.

little

and

were

What

looked

my

him

Do

son.

right of
duty

wealth

to

::

destroy
your

though
support

younger
don't

"

spoke

To

as

he
as

"

brother

grudge

him

son.'
the

part of

annoyed Bipin

woman

you

with

not

you.

him

known
un-

interview

and
intensity,

Take

fruits

some

an

at

ne'er-do-well

is your

do

his all,he

garden, and

on
assumption of familiarity

'

his

more

of

sought

it is your

garrulous old

little.

sake

in its

of it,my
particle

This
the

bless

Vast

the

Bibi collected

She

whom

though

Babu.

commit

one

instituted

cases

lost, the

her

went

son

it wouldn't

"

'

his.

was

maternal

Allah

May

What

'

he

more

vegetablesfrom
to

pray ?

lost the

afternoon,Mirza

One

he desires.'

as

For

him

Surrender

protested Asimuddin.

The

has

upon

curtail his favours.

obstinacyincreased.
staked

kindness

depend

us

the zemindar

His

of these matters,

against him.

and

let

long ;

so

part of the lands

him
4

him.

to

say

still,
though he may
to

SOLVED

know

of

these

not

things,my

THE

good

to

any

'

he

SOLVED

condescended

113

If you

to

say.

to
make,
representations

send

woman

have

RIDDLE

your

son

me/

Being
knew

for

assured

about

these

wiping

her

nothing

returned

home,

the

and

way,

second

the

that

time

with

her

silent prayers

offeringher

Bibi

affairs, Mirza

eyes

she

all

apron

Allah.

to

in

The

dragged
litigation

Criminal

Civil

the

to

where

High Court,
he

But

way.

debts up

was

opportunity to

up

to

auction

It

the

by

there.

the
The

in

date

The

and

bank

hubbub

month

sale

of

was

and

now

stone

this

putting

he had

that

tained
ob-

had

they

left.
had

swollen

going

sellingwere

jack-fruits

boats

Among

in

this

took

fixed for

the

plunged

"

tiny river,now

great.

large quantitiesalso.

in

village market

partlyin

Asadh.

the

with

met

creditors

was

the

to

passed

decrees

the

Buying

for

being the

His

the side of

rains.

partlyon

ears.

Monday.

was

assembled

by

man

stick and

every

months

ruined

execute

againsthim.

thence

last Asimuddin

at

his very

to

Courts, and

Eighteen

partialsuccess.

lengthfrom

its weary

on,

moored
the

modities
com-

preponderated,
Hilsa

The

fish

sky

was

were

it

seen

cloudy.

THE

14

RIDDLE

of the

Many

had

pour,
stall-holders,
apprehendinga down-

stretched

bamboo

across

had

with

credit

and

pawn,

and
then

Towards
walk

lathis?

stopped awhile
made

All

on

what

or

towards

him
a

he would

by

three
the

for

out

was

retainers

armed

noise, he directed
On

his

he
arrival,

the stall of Dwari, the oilman,

about
kindlyinquiries

his business.

raised his dao

Bipin Babu, roaring like

people caught hold

market

not

brought

These

Babu

market.

before

had

he needed.

two

the

overhead,

he

had

with him.

sudden, Asimuddin

but

therefore

Attracted

his steps towards

and

"

evening,Bipin

by

cloth

shopkeepers allowed

He
dao

of

for the purpose.

too

No

buy

attended

with

up

come

him.

nowadays.

brass thali

piece

polesput

Asimuddin
copper

SOLVED

of him

and

ran

tiger.

The

half-way,and

He
forthwith given
was
quicklydisarmed him.
in the market
in custody to the police. Business
then

went

We

on

as

cannot

usual.

the

and

show

'

I have
1

creature

got him

Thali

plate,

are

we

fight.

Bipin Babu

this incident.

pleasedat
that

that

say

'

at

The

wardly
in-

not

was

It is intolerable

hunting down

should

turn

badmash^ Bipin chuckled

last/
2

Dao

knife,

Lathis

stick.

THE

n6

RIDDLE

dangled on

his breast.

invited

to

him

seat

Court-room

The

great

for many

Court

When

walked

for

Outside

he

in

wrapped
with

He

seemed

to

his

with

the

of

saw

his old

father

banian

tree,

piece of

kissed

little way

barefooted

'

to

come

No, thank

tell you

you/

here what
1

garment

with

trousers
close-fitting

and

this his turban

name

came

his watch,

and

Krishna

I have

father's feet

his

fro in

poppingout
the air.
Bipin

house
pleader's

the

shone

tranquil compassion

his

to

his

form

slender

he did

his nose,

to

and

string of

his turban, and

hurriedlystraightened
father

off,

his forehead.

As

pocket, swung

namabali.1
His

radiate from

his forehead.

his

Deputy Magistrate to

flowing chapkan,touched

off and

called drew

got up very agitatedand

Bipin,hampered by
and

in this

whisperedsomethingin

gentle lustre, and

be

to

case

and

in his hand.

was

witnessed

So

few minutes.

standing under
beads

for the

begging

him

excuse

own.

suffocation.

to

been

his

years.

ear.

out,

the dais, beside

not

chaprassicame

Bipin Babu's

Deputy Magistrate

crowded

had

the time

near,

The
on

was

sensation

SOLVED

got

begged
close by.

Gopal replied,I
'

to

of Krishna

say/
printedover

it.

his

will

THE
curious

crowd

Bipin'sattendants
Then

lands

that

'

Benares

would

But

on

were

word.

drop

back

his

this

'

and

"

What

From

may

your
?

'

keen

so

you

'

'

There

them, but of them

about

all that has

with

tell them

boy

deserving.

and

'

shaky fingers

explainyour
that

him

moments.

tremulous

these

give

some

his

you

happened,

people ?

to

through

to

made

have

grant because

silence for

beads

from

only this,father,'

many

shall I say

Gopal kept

people,you

you

against Asim,

case

it be necessary

Should

It is

After

rapidity,he spoke

with

son

are

passing the

Then,

much

specialfavour

not

were

Why

lands, what

Krishna

why

the

him/

all the way

your

among

now

if I

him

restore

from

me

revoked

Brahmins

said

do what

must

gain by knowing it,my

you

I have

Mohammedans

tell

you

the tenants

many

never

thought

You

come

Bipin persisted.

he went
I

have

you

Would

What

away

people the objectsof

these
'

taken

time.

this,father/ said Bipin, very

that

surprised,

this

back.

them

acquitted,and

have

you

117

gathered by

said

Gopal

get Asim

to

Is it for

had

pushed

Krishna

can

you

SOLVED

RIDDLE

voice

conduct

Asimuddin

to

is my

brother/
exclaimed

Musalman's

Bipin
womb

'

in

painful surprise,

THE

n8

Even

so,

Bipin

stood

'

RIDDLE

son/

my

home, father
No,

"

repliedthe

the
relinquished

once

cannot

home

go

leave

He

suggest/
his

what

'

say

tonishment.
as-

Come

it afterwards.'
old

to

serve

my

hence.
of

his son,

walked
difficulty,

having

'

man,

sense

your

in mute

to

I return

blessed

then

with

tears

world

again.
do

to

you

words

will talk about

we

reply.

time

some

he found

son/

my

the calm

was

for

there

Then

SOLVED

God,

Now

duty

may

and, checking

off with

tottering

steps.

Bipin was
say

what

nor

the older

in
the

was

to

do.

point

of

Returning
He

'

between

looked

This

my

to

pietyof
He

flected
re-

than

morality.

his

This

having

not

actions.

and

cloth

brother

was

what

Asimuddin

saw

constables,awaitinghis trial.

two

emaciated

dirtypieceof

and

Court, he

the

paleand dry, and

were

to

himself.

to

concluded, of

result,he

the

was

better he

education

to guide one's
principle

outside

said

much

pridehow

knowing

not

So, such

'

generation/he

with
father

dumbfounded,

his eyes
worn

'

worn

to

out.

His

lips

unnaturally
bright.
shreds

Bipin

covered

shuddered

him.
at

the

thought.
The

Deputy Magistrateand Bipinwere

friends,

THE
and

the

Asimuddin

Why

ended

case

The

in

However,

just

the

before

could

happened, he

the

In

few

his former

to

villagepeople were

119

fiasco.

restored

was

all this

SOLVED

RIDDLE

condition.
understand.

not

greatlysurprisedalso.

news

of

trial

soon

Krishna

got

arrival

Copal's
abroad.

People

began to exchange meaning glances.

The

in their

affair.

of them, Ram

other

or

virtue

and

them

thought
bad

as

pietyof

good

dissimulation
Krishna

that

and

'

while

Taran

of

the

Babu

for many
do

not

greatlylifted
to

him

the

Now

found

the

don't.'

out.

they like/

as

difference

is

he

just

between

good practise
The

revelation

piety,benevolence,

that
difficulty

that

in this world

nothing

were

reasoning,we

relief

bad

Gopal's far-famed

gratitudewas
vast

only
is that

man

magnanimity

Ram

The

be

much

as

bad

how
Some-

shams.

were

might

men

glee, everybody

Krishna

to

in life.

start

One

that, if a searchinginquiry

pious

hypocrisy,settled

his benefactor

myself.

and

his

pleaders

always suspected

tell their beads

with

as

whole
beholden

was

and

had

he

made, all

Let

Babu,

fullyconvinced

was

were
c

Taran

for his education

Gopal

he

guessed the

shrewdness

days

years.

know,
off

but

cloak

had

of

oppressed

By

what

the

burden

his mind.

cess
pro-

It

of

was

THE

SISTER

ELDER

121

THE

ELDER

SISTER

in her mind, all the

tenderness

i24
over

soul

gushed

abroad.

part of

wont

was

smell

caught the
the

almost

Thus
her

faded

passed
musing

room,

arms

her

the

the
of

old

them.

upon

noontide

memories

an

letters

some

gazing

hushed

box

wooden

photograph with
sat

pillow,

empty

ting
head, and, shut-

from

out

husband

alone

and

in

shedding

of sadness.

tears

It

was

no

age and

had

made

sort

of way.

the

neither

excessive

her

home

on

husband

was

tie,love's knot

whose
throb

existence
with

So it

an

easy,

side had

then

Sasi had

any

lived

had

without

break,

away

from

great impulse of

separationstrained

As

not

been

there

and
tighter,

grew

early

an

commonplace

suddenly called

in Sasi's soul.

and

long companionship

years

business, and

love awoke

in

at

passion. They

together nearly sixteen

when

Sasikala

married

Their

days go by
On

of

symptoms

been

children.

had

had

this between

yoke

new

Joygopal. They

the

outstretched

of her husband's

handwriting,and
she

now

whereon

kissed

door, brought

old and
in his

bed

the

loving

husband

own

herself with

lie, she

to

her

towards

Throwing

that

on

forth

of her

felt,now

the

passion,

made

her

long

years,

pain.

happened

that

after

so

many

THE
and

such

at

ELDER

an

this

the

sweet

That

youth.

unconscious

bed

dream

of

and
on

saw

amid
to

wandered

bank

hopes

spring

disputationor
her

With

she

vowed

impatience again,
wishes,

submit

heart

to

whatever

husband

ill ;

for

the

was

the

dearest

was

he

would

idle

tent
peni-

show

husband's

with

of

the
all-in-all,
the

the

teased

never

her

object of love,

her

in

she

of
singleness

wished

began

should

often,

and

now

met

quarrel,had

commands,

grove

She

she

very

oppose

been

she find

could

next

she

many

How

never

all his

bear

and

insipidnor

that

budding

up the stream,

happiness.

all the

to

its murmuring

be

petty

some

husband
heart

vain.

in

come

not

lonely

had

she

long way

of

her

in her

her with

that, when

husband, life should

in

hitherto

foothold

no

herself

to

say

but

vanished

the

of

mother

separation,
began

golden mansion

the

bride

suddenly aroused

many

either

of

of which

love

She

music.

being

125

spring noon,

the

chamber, lying on
dream

and

age,

children, Sasi, on

SISTER

tender

good

or

husband

husband

was

divine.
Sasikala
of

her

only
no

the

was

parents.
small

anxieties

only and much-petted daughter

For

property
about

the

this

of

though

reason,

his

future.

own,

His

he

Joygopal

had
had

father-in-law

126
had

THE

ELDER

to

support

enough

SISTER
in

them

villagewith

royalstate.
And

was

in her

sore

very

for, improper, and

nor

age

father.

Sasikala's

to

Sasi

in his old

then

son

tell the

To

mind

at

parents'love

The
advanced

centred

her

and

years,

in this

when

the

parents;

tiny fists all

weak

the

seized
and

hopes

Joygopal,Joygopalfound

their

with

his

expectations

placein

of

son

newly arrived,

diminutive, sleepy brother-in-law

of

truth,

unlooked-

this

of

unjust action

timely
.un-

pleased.
Joygopalparticularly

was

two

born

was

tea-garden

in Assam.

His

friends

hard-by,but
resentment,
a

urged

whether

of

his wife and

and left for

in-law's,
husband

between

incident

This
her
pass
When
ease,

baby

brother.

the

lips is

the
his

and

The

felt

sister found

the rice is cold, the

rapidrise in

to

to

the first separation

was

very

and

hundred

boys are

may

keenly

more

too

not

within.

slept at
reasons,

life.
with

angry

which

soreness

sucked

body.
any-

his father-

wife in their married

the

little fellow

big

children

Sasikala

made

of

pay heed

not

It

Assam.

employment

generalfeelingof

the chances

Joygopal would
tea-garden,
sent

for

look

to

out

knowing

or

He

as

him

his

such

late for school,

to

herself

worry

her

127

night,with

others, day and

and

petulanthumours.
But

in

Before

her

her

short

time

committed

death, she

died.

child's mother

the

infant

her

to

son

daughter'scare.
Then

did

his sister's

tiny

mouth

her, and

mouth,

refuse

the

dawn, he would

her

with

brook

soft

; later on,

roll

he

things,eatingforbidden
places,would

set

Sasi could

then

herself
Since

up

resist

child had

the

became

the

his

thrill

noisy

heryY/Yandjijima,

by doing forbidden

longer.

no

own

within

like

She

wayward

forbidden

to

regular tyranny
this

his

her side and

food, going

no

completely to

rest,

would

awaking before

babble

call

would

hair
;

up
to

over

and

within

her

touch, and

in hours* of work

and

giveit

he

right good-will

eyes

seize

to

easilyconquer

whoops

with

nose,

would

he

little fists and

his

loud

With

upon

get her

to

try

child

motherless

the

heart.

flinghimself

her

SISTER

ELDER

THE

her

over

surrendered
little tyrant.

mother, his influence

over

greater.

ii

The
two

child

years

reached

was

named

Nilmani.

old his father fell

When

ill.
seriously

Joygopal asking him

to

come

as

he
A

was

letter

quickly

THE

128

as

ELDER
after

possible.When

leave

and

SISTER
trouble

much

he

got

last hour
arrived, Kaliprasanna's

had

come.

Before
with
his

charge of

the
estate

So

his

to

home
After

When

divided,after

mind
grows
In

is

when

But

come,

would

be

may

and

gether
to-

put

beings are

by

moment

again.

met

human

two

livingthing,and

re-unite
; for the

it

moment

changes.

Sasi reunion
of

stirred

age-longhabit

in her
and

seemed

mind

how

that

long

let the

never

this

she

by

closelythan

more

love for her

Of

wife

separation,and

vowed

appointment, and

after his property.

entirelyremoved

much

quarter of

they never
long separation,
time
place,and to the same

same

numbness
was

his

up

long time husband and

material body breaks
it

the

left

again.

at

gave

look

to

and

his son,

Joygopal

daughter.

Joygopal

came

Kaliprasannaentrusted

he died

husband

soever

in their
the
to

The

emotion.

new

old

longing
win

before.
whatever

her

Had

marriage
born
husband
she

not

days might

they might be,

brightnessof

of

this

she

glowing

be dimmed.

ferently
reunion, however, Joygopal felt difWhen

they

were

constantlytogether

THE
before

he

been

had

interests
a

and

left

were

in his
in

rent

great

himself
abroad.

deep

this

in the most

the

last two

he

wrought by

stirred

the

love

her

he

"

here

wife tried hard

Sasi would
him

come

before

to

cannot

with
her

As

passion,

new

woman's

shadow.

nature

are

man's, by ambition.
returned

part of her life was

no

For

his breast

unsubstantial

an

quitethe

he had

days went

his
bettering

this

after

had

This

was

thoughts.

life his infant brother-in-law

with him, but it

hold

his

as

him

His

in

intensityof

; in

his

of

same

breadth.
to

else

like

his wife not

went

habit

powerfullyin

so

nothing

Joygopal, when
found

found

careless fashion.

stimulus

greatest changes in

The

if she

he

in

Formerly

and

the

life seemed

his old

all.

not

with

been

have

dailyhabit

breach

this

indolent

had

compared

then

was

first when

his

by

habit.

new

years,

had

his

at

time

was

by

that

wife

there would

of

web

wife

his

to

and
life,

waters

in

patched up by

condition

129

Consequently Joygopal

But

And

bound

the

out.

in

SISTER

idiosyncrasies.His

livingtruth

ELDER

years,

of old.
added

To
new

whollyunfamiliar

communion
share

two

her

with

his wife.

love for the child

be said that she succeeded.

the

child

husband

in her

with

arms,

and

smilingface
K

THE
Nilmani

"

face
of

would

kindred.

clasp Sasi's neck,

Sasi wished

show

capture

man's

very

keen

any

enthusiasm

what

at

care

for Nilmani.

understood

once

brother

husband.
secret

to

the

care,

the

Sasi

him.

soothe
disturb

with

an

And

up

that

the

child

show

not

all

at

heavy-pated,
love should

of love.

ways

did

Joygopal
she used
care

to

came

objectof

to

her whole
when

not

screen

keep

to

"

him

of

be the

her

treasure

her isolated love.

Nilmani
child

Nilmani's

to

soul try

heart and

of displeasure,
and
expression

fluttered

not

happened

cry

sleepat night,and Joygopal

Joygopal's

growled
spirit,
take

much

to

was

greatlyannoyed when
would
quickly press the

breast,and with

to

so

greatest

the child

Joygopal was
her

learnt

look
unloving, repelling

the
Thus

so

could
the

Henceforth

with

from

the

in

quicklyunderstand

Sasi

cried ;

child that

little brother

him.

on

Women

of her

was

obligation

he had

could

his

hide

Joygopal

Joygopal
there

and

no

her

arts

But

How

it.

grave-faced,
dusky

away

the

mind.

about

understand

her

admit
that

Joygopal all

be wasted

SISTER

shoulder, and

her

on

might

ELDER

like
the

at

the

in

tortured

child,Sasi felt humbled

guiltything. Then
child in her lap,retire to
a

she
a

and
would

distance,

THE

32

ELDER

SISTER

in

Nilmani's
It seemed

stick

frail and

as

For

Looking

through

the child
as

neither

The

might

be

bubble.

speak

face,you

grave

him.

its top.

at

that

he could

his sad

at

blown

quickly evanescent

as

long time

had

bubble

sometimes

of

largestpart

Creator

big

feared

doctors

the

was

if the

as

slender

head

walk.

nor

think

might

that his parents had

unburdened

all the sad

weight

of

years

the

of

advanced

their

upon

head

this

little child.
With

his

sister's

and

care

nursing,Nilmani

passed the period of danger, and

arrived

his

at

sixth year.
of

In the month
dressed

Sasi had
and

coat

Nilmani

as

up

red-bordered

and

chadar

l
bhaiphoto
day,

the

Kartik, on

little Babu, in

dhoti^and

giving him the brother's mark,' when

in and,
came
neighbour Tara
another, began a quarrel.
or
reason
*

'

Lit.

which
her

'Tis

'brother's

the

mark/

sister makes

Hindu

brother

use/ cried she, ' givingthe

no

and

utters

mark

beautiful

formula, puttingthe

for wishing long life). On

(figurative
their brothers

and

make

them

presents

these
of

touching

and

of sandalwood

"

paste

barrier

in

on

clothes, etc.

spoken
out-

for

one

brother's

ceremony

the

Yama's

occasions,the

her

was

forehead

in
of

doorway

sisters entertain

'

THE
"

mark

with

brother

ELDER
much

so

this Sasi

Sasi and

put the

for

of her

husband's

the

foul

said

'

in

leavinghim

and

arrears

'

Won't

'

Sue

be

It

but

home,

the

her.

the

cousin

'

could

That

home

He

days.
safe in
could

fall into

to

it.'
'

ment.
Sasi in astonish-

asked

said

Joygopal.

duty to
not.

domesticityof

her

in secret, if I had

of

useless,a simple waste

Sasi

quite

property.

it himself

these

Hasilpur

taluk

then

in

felt

the

to

gossip. Joygopal

the

and

inklingabout
sue

weeping

went

this,

leprosyin

with

trusted

son,

Sasi's supreme

was

word,

to

be

charge of

you

one's

it would

of

purchase

the least

had

him

can

allowed

have

not

she

name

spread

could

who

stricken

then

aunt's

is my

Upen

be

might

Nobody

heard

those

told

and

husband,

Sasi

that

And

mouth.

in the

When

sale

for

up

purchase it

cousin.

curse

lie

property

to

rumour

conspired together

had

Nilmani's

of rent, and

uttered

such

husband

her

ment,
astonish-

with

repeatedthe

Tara

pain.

minor

arrears

she

the

ruining

and

show

thunderstruck

was

rage, and

to

133

in secret.'

At

that

SISTER

trust

her

life which

love
had

Besides,

money.'
her husband's

last

At

her

seemed
once

happy
hateful
seemed

THE

134
her supreme
of

snare

ELDER

refugewas

SISTER

which
self-interest,

had

brother

and

woman,

and
single-handed,

she

could

the

she

thought,the
and
an
loathing,
how, she would

appear

The

Nilmani's

hundred

seven

before

how

not

The

filled with
her

more

terror,

imperilled

of

and

Saheb? nay,

the Lat

to
herself,

her brother's

save

would

Maharani

taluk*

was

thought that,if she only knew

the Maharani

property.

knew

for

infinite love

She

to

she

heart

her

more

them,

She

sides.

cruel

surrounded

helplessNilmani.

little brother.

write

all

sister,on

save

than

nothingmore

allow

surelynot

Hasilpur,with

an

fifty-eight
rupees

of

income

be

to

year,

sold.
When

Sasi

thinking of bringingher

thus

was

cousin

Maharani

herself,Nilmani

with

fever and

to

'

Why,

for

Matilal

Sasi fell
oath
'

on

her

own

lay with
1

The

seized

bad

feet, and
head

sort.'

charged him

with

an

whereupon Joygopal said

Nilmani

Viceroy.

When

doctor, Joygopal said

better

Well, I shall send for the doctor

Sasi

suddenly

villagedoctor.

in the

isn't
his

at

was

the

convulsions.

Joygopal called
Sasi asked

by appealing to

book

husband's

in

her

from

town.'

lap,nor
2

Land.

would

THE
Nilmani

let her

clung

to

escape

Thus

by

while

he

whole

day

very

had

told Matilal, who

to

should

not

loosen

of

account

doctor

had

that

regularlycall

would

leave

to

lawsuit, and

was

patientat

himself

he

Joygopal

and

see

scruple,took

to

he
see

and
doctor
He

quickly

The

fury,he

the

under

the

undertook

he

"

had

of the

treatment

day Joygopal

next

ordered

of

care

his wife to

brother,
The

left the

not

and

As
the

house.

lodgings for her,

found

her

installed

home

at

was

sick

her

doctor's

the

Straightto

went

sleep.

Sasi, without

with

boat

his

in

wandered

morning dawned,

the

as

least

town.

having

elderlywidow,

an

boy.
Blazing with

arrived.
return

home

with

him

once.
4

if you

Even

his
replied

but

on

Nilmani

night

soon

who

she

patient.
At

at

the

that

say

that

that

the

he

minute

would

passed,

gone

added

day

pretence

slepthe

had

he

He

distance.

sightfor

some

to
nightfall

home

at

135

dress.

the

after

not

lest

of her

SISTER

of his

out

her
even

his hold

came

ELDER

has

no

I will

wife.

cut
*

You

father,no
save

him.'

me

to

pieces,I

all want

mother,

to
none

won't

kill my
other

return,'
Nilmani,
than

me,

THE

136
Then

'

to

ELDER
remain

you

'tis my

lengthfired

at

brother's

'All

If you

Tara,

'

want

do

house

What

home.

at

After

her
selling

from

the

jaws

big property
their

than

by Joygopal

When

he

Nilmani

would

sister.'

His

Let

At

us

into his
And

one

it

husband,' said

not

Then

she

in

of

the

heard

that

income

with

the

of

else

no

property

her brother.
from
Let

piningfor
So

he

his

his
us

herself

illness,

go

in

home,

nephews

and

repeatedlysaid

Her
the

of ours.'

their home

was

good crying.

besides

which

help of

the

whole

Where

the

transferred

been

name

:
plaintively

was

her,

brother

her

to that old house

home, sister,

was

leaving

Dwarigram, where

year, had

own

to

had

she

recovered

cry

good

Sasi saved

now

had

this Sasi wept.

But

no

go

your

with

nieces, his companions.

'

this incident.

money

Rs.i5"DOa

heart

over

the

they had

belongedto them,

The

husband.'

of death.

Jemindar.

the

Why,

Joygopal.

is the

stood,
dwelling-house

more

was

all,Joygopal is your

ornaments,

which

house

see,' said
great stir

By spending all
and

back

come

'

quarrelwith

to

so

Tour

'

up.

right,we'll

neighboursmade

your

don't

here, and

house/ cried Joygopal indignantly.

my
Sasi

'

SISTER

brother

had

world.

Sasi

thought of this,wiped
Zenana

of the

knew
her

and

him

against

Sasi

Joygopal put

wife

Prajapati!

the

Babu

Tarini

kept

Joygopal.

to

into

brother-in-law

and

wife, after

and

again for

home.

of

decree

The

time!

second

separation,

second

Having

got back

long absence, Nilmani

his

greatly incensed

property,

instantlywrote

his

husband

her

disputewith

by force, and brought them

Husband
met

forsake

should

However,

diverted, and

boat

in

Sasi.

Babu,

Magistrate

Deputy

woman

of

regarding matters

and, entering the

tears,

The

That

engage

137

Magistrate,Tarini

wife.

Joygopal.
home,

her

Deputy

his

appealed to

SISTER

ELDER

THE

after

his

old

was

happy. Seeing
perfectly

companions

unsuspecting joy, Sasi felt

as

if her

would

heart

break.
IV

The
the
the

cold

shoot.

wide

Saheb

The

The

villagemaidan.

the Mofussil

pitched his

and

weather

villageto
the

on

touringin

Magistratewas

other

tent

ing
dur-

within
Nilmani

met

boys

gave

him

berth, varying Chanakya's coupleta little,

Saheb

the

and

adding

the

toothed, and
1

the
The

to

the

beasts.'

horned

Hindu

god

list of

of

marriage.

the
But

clawed,
grave-

THE

138
natured

gazed

Nilmani

Saheb

Bengali:
The

amused

was

You

'

read

did

fixed
silently

Nilmani
the

and
the

at

told

and
A

his gaze

the

on

his sister the

pagri? went
of

crowd
about

stood
seated

to

him.
at

At

it would
or

the

of

seat

be

She

said

literaryword

chapkan is

face.
Magistrate's

in trousers,
salams

long

for

coat.

meeting
chapkan?

constables
Saheb

the

of

the

saw

any

him

Saheb, into your

The
8

of

view

of the
there.

straight
up

came

books.

village.

veiled,and
closely

woman,

chair,

inwardly,and

swelled

and

had

tent, in

in open

honour

Saheb.

the

to

outside

state

came

accompanied by Nilmani,

wordpustak,

good thing if

Nandis

this moment,

Magistrate.

the

placingJoygopal in

community, Joygopal

Chakrabartis

do

enthusiasm.

court-table

about
the

taken

thought

pustaks

Fearingthe heat, the

questioned him
the

What

story of his

his

pay

shade, and

Having

asked

'

suitors, chaprasies*and

himself

the open

'

Joygopal,dressed

noon,

and

up

pathsala?

understand

not

Magistratewith great
At

came

the Saheb.

asked

Nilmani

As

he

imperturbable
serenely
curiosity

nodded.
boy silently

read ?

you

in

SISTER

the Saheb.

at

The
in

ELDER

will
colloquial

Turban.

to

hands

be boi.
Servants.

the
I

THE

140

home

return

can

least

back

his

Unless

'

brother

your

to

And

cSaheb,

keep

without

the

nothing else

take

not

with

to

not

him

get

there.
else will

none

you,

'

queriedthe

husband's

my

Saheb.

house,'said Sasi

fear for me.'

smiled

to

do ?

you

nothing to
Saheb

The

Nilmani

would

what

is

I dare

does

he

as

him/

save

1 will retire

there

long

so

home,

own

you

be able

"

with

SISTER

misgiving/

Sasi said:

'

ELDER

and,
little,

do, agreed

to

there

as

was

charge of

take

this

lean,dusty,grave, sedate,gentleBengaliboy whose

neck

ringed with

was

Sasi

When

"

about

dress.

her

clutched

was

amulets.

take

to

Don't

come,' said the Saheb.

behind

darling brother

my

Saying this
and

withdrew

; and

him.

sister !

'

you

streaming

tears

Do

will

go, my
meet

brother,

your

made

and

sister

round
a

burstingheart

at

out

his

put his left arm

the Saheb

child wailed

stroked

dress, hastily

releasingher

justthen

The

him

embraced

Sasi turned
arm

she

back, and

round

with

babay
frightened,

'

again!
head

"

be
With

veil,Sasi said

her

leave,the boy

her

once,

'

Sister,oh, my
and

with

stretched
out-

and
solace,
signof speechless
withdrew.

in

Again
wife

and

after

of

The

learnt

cholera

For

long.
that

morning

one

had

and

night,

the

in

Prajapati

last

not

husband

house

of

decree
did

villagers

141

ever-familiar

old,

union

this

the

died

that

met.

But

SISTER

ELDER

THE

been

soon

Sasi

had

instantly

cremated.

None

Hush

At

they

kept

people

but

out,

about

word

be

it.

shut

would

the

on

up

point
her

neighbour

Only
of

bursting
saying,

mouth,

'

parting,
would

none

sometimes

would

Tara

"

uttered

Sasi

again.

meet

can

gave

tell.

her

Where

word

to

that

brother

her

word

was

SUBHA

WHEN

the

girl

could

who
dumb

have
Her

father

was

the

lay

All

parents.
she

did

people,

and

forget
1

tried
her

Sweetly

she

its

live

felt

like

herself

If

could

in

earliest
to

curse

from

feel

freely

her

her

ordinary

only they

endure

145

of

that,

not

anxiety

apart.

Sweetly

did

from

speaking.

heart

think

to

own

with

youngest

the

she

her

sent

she

the

upon

understood

withdrew

to

She

married

now

therefore

had

she

so

her

Subhashini.

seemed

and

had

God

that

house,

world

future

and

weight

speak,

She

presence.

father's

all

the

not

her

childhood

silent

and

uniformity

been

had

difficulty,

like

short.
sisters

and

cost

it discussed
her

elder

two

usual

because

for

of

girl

youngest

prove

Sukeshini

were

sake

Subhashini,1
would

she

sisters

the

his
Subha

called

daughter
her

for

named

Her

elder

two

of

name

that

guessed

and

Suhasini,3

the

given

was

would

it.

But

Lovely-locked.

smiling.
L

SUBHA

146
who

forgetpain ?

can

minds

aching

were

herself.

To

fault in her

is

If Subha
of

lacked

large dark

thought that
When

we

medium

is

process
then

we

of

found

not

In

them

forth,or goes
the

who
the

from

trembling of

eyes, endless
the

birth

in

to

any

their

lipslearn

no

eyes
a

swift

expression,
deep

other
a

as

need

shadow

the

no

upon

shuts, shines

and

like

restless

sky.

They

speech

than

languageof

and

inexact,and

all quarters of the

had

the

be

hangs steadfast

like the

play dawn

words,
must

or

opens

have

heavens, wherein

pair

lashes ; and

in

black

itself throws

or,

illumines
lightning,

long

is often

in darkness,

settingmoon,

lack

not

thought

thought

out

body.

mind.

But

mind

regarded

own

easily. There

error.

better

leaf in response

which
translation,

fall into

did

with

our

express

translating
; the
them.

like
in her

rose

her

Bani-

rather

mother

her

shaded

eyes,

be ; and

can

her

stain upon

closely

more

personalshame.

speech,she

lipstrembled

her

of

as

deformity in

son

daughters;

aversion

with

Especially
a

as

father, loved

other

his

day her parents'

daughteris a

source

kantha, Subha's

her

her

upon

mother

and

account.

part of herself than

intimate

than

her

on

looked

mother

her

Night

sea,

the

clear

sunset,

as

light

SUBHA

48
vast

one

soul.

This

the

were

languageof

there

the

long

the world
cicalas

the

her

that

lashes

about

of

speech

shaded,

her.

From

the

chirped,to

less
rest-

of Nature

movement

girl'slanguage ;

eyes, which

trees, where

beat upon

and

murmur

dumb

the dark
the

of sound, which

wave

was

the

quiet stars

and

nothing but signsand gestures, weeping

sighing. And in the deep mid-noon, when

the

boatmen

was

dinner, when
when
still,

the

the

busy world

fisherfolk

and

were
ferry-boats

lonely,awful

its

there

and

the

the
spreadingsunlight,

tree

cast

But
In

girl,sittingvery

but

Subha

had

never

words, she
her

two

Sarbbashi

cows,

heard

their

her footfall.

small

gentlemurmuring

she fondled

would

them
her

come

friends.

and

or

better
to

the

they

better than

than

or

her

she

Though

scolded

Panguli.

from

names

lovinglyand

murmured

they understood
Subha

where

altogetherwithout

not

was

they knew

When

under

its shadow.

the stall were

They

Nature

one

"

pressive
im-

vast

dumb

silent

other

great

suddenly

the

only

were

were

the

became

beneath

giant,then

heavens

birds

idle,when

and
toil,

their

to

gone

slept,and
villagers

paused in

dumb

had

all

had

shed, and

no

stood
under-

speech.

coaxed

men

lips,

them,

could

do.

throw

her

SUBHA
round

arms

cheek
her

Sarbbashi's

kind

them

paid
others

words

dumb

that

friends

of

would

of due

out

and

in

their

dumb,

close

Coming
horns

these

to

though

as

was

her

quiet

her, they

to

softlyagainst her
fashion

puzzled

and

heard

she
come

It

girl

day,

every

time.

turn

The

anguishof spiritfrom

sadness.

rub

face.

her

her, she would

hurt

they guessed her

look

lick

irregular. Whenever

were

her

Panguli would

regular visits

three

that

and

eyes

rub

would

; she

neck

againsther friend's,and
great

any

149

try

arms,

comfort

to

her.

Besides

these

kitten ; but

Subha

friendshipwith
same

and

had

settle down
of

Subha

had

animals, and

jump

into

show

its

her

drew

her

also among
to

say

what

the

speak,

left them

without

any

Gosains, Pratap by

the
name,

long effort,his parents

soft

youngest
an

had

higher

the

were

could

was

lap,

tion
apprecia-

him, for he

gift of speech
He

chance,

back.

comrade

it is hard

with

language.

and

the

showed

it got

Subha

sleep as

to

would

slumber, and

its neck

fingersover

relations

kitten

to

aid

an

time

equalityof

same

though they

Every

day, the

goats and

were

the

not

them,

attachment.

night or

there

two,

and

his

common

boy

of

idle fellow.
abandoned

girl's

the

the

After

hope

SUBHA

50

that he would

disapprove

of

with

one

every

them, they
else.

them, they become

needs

town
so

an

leisure,who

want

Pratap'schief
managed

to

might

be

It

thus

was

he
when

affection
a

off,would

him

small

preparedit for

prove
burden

great help

by
to

any

means

the world.

for her

and,
is

turnity,
taci-

Subha,

her

Su.

line.

his

allowance

to

he

Subha

tamarind, and Pratap,a little

of

desired

Pratap,to
that
But

she

Pratap

betel,and

I think

And

gazing a long while, she

some

and

companion

by callingher

cast

him.

He

ever
What-

companion

called

one

every

sit beneath

to

distance
with

as

we

employed.

so

Pratap respectedSubha

and,

fish.

this way,

silent

catchingfish,a

is

his

of

hand.

Subha.

met

liked

about, he

was

that, if

catch

time

that he

breathe,

is to

afternoon

any

often

most

of

every

so

one

to

was

lot

almost

best of all.

used

ambition

waste

seen

one

showed

companion,

Just as

gentlemen

all ;

to

chain

all may

three

or

to

work

no

where

give time

can

lazy and

are

two

folk

own

generallypopular

are

Having

space

villageneeds

their

publicproperty.

open

losels

living. Now

advantage,that, though

this

have

his

make

ever

took

Subha

and
that,sitting

ardentlyto bring
be

of
not

was

there

was

real aid, to
a

useless

nothing to

SUBHA

do.

Then

for

some

she

My

! I

this !

have

place.

Then
dive

might

golden

dumb

risen

of

into

bed

jewels!

slowly from

done

have

world, and

palaceof silver,whom

child ?

of the

moon

of

king

might

Once

Yes,

that

Su,

our

shiningcity

be, it

born,

means

is

not

into

not

the

into

Banikantha's

of

astonishingthe

she

grew

sible.
impos-

new

the

could
upon

was

royal

of

house

family, and
Gosains'

Gradually

up.

she

boy.

she

began

consciousness
inexpressible

central

full, swept

placesof
through

herself, questionedherself, but

she

else but

anything is reallyimpossible,but

tide from

the

there, on

see

that

find herself.
a

paltry fishing,

that

Gradually

like

landing-

the

to

But

Patalpur,1but
no

river, bringing

the

his

nymph,

water

crown

lower

the

in

been

had

that

exclaiming:

could

been

Pratap, leaving

Not

to

had

little Su, Banikantha's

knew

prayer

astonishing

an

into

Su

our

snake's

only daughter

Su

by

Pratap

! if Subha

think

gem

of

dreamt

never

might

the

startle

might

the

that

power,

in

Creator

the

to

"

Only
she

turned

rare

miracle
a

she

151

no

the

sea, when

her.

She

answer

saw

came

understand.
a

time, late
1

The

Lower

on

World.

night of

full moon,

SUBHA

152
she

her

slowlyopened

Nature, herself

full moon,

at

looking down

was

limits

being

them.

passedbeyond
could

speak

not

troubled

joy and

she

heart

Her

Mother

her ;

illimitable

own

At

sadness
the

loneliness,
nay,
she

heavy, and

was

stood

Her

reached

skirts of

the

there

lonelySubha,

sleepingearth.

its brim

to

of her

even

the

on

like

life beat within

strong young
filled her

door, and peeped out timidly.

this silent,
troubled

silent

girl.
thought of

The

with

an

even

talked

was

anxious
of

well off ;

her

People

care.

did

Bani

wide

With

dawn.

wished

like
open,
to

them, and

and

enemies.
went

Then
for

away

said

the
few

We

"

Calcutta."

to

gathering for days,

mother

parents

Banikantha

returned, and

They got ready to go

Subha's
heart was
heavy
wrapt

blamed

outcasts.

lack

not

and
interfered,

go

her

twice daily;
they had fish-curry

days. Presentlyhe
must

them

making

he
consequently
women

marriagefilled

dumb

she

learn

they vouchsafe.

to

her

With

But

afternoon

as

not

had

mistbeen

father

her

their faces

something.
One

fear that

dogged

animal.

scanned

tears, like

with

vague

she

this strange country.

and

largeeyes
though

she

word

did

in the

midst

of

SUBHA

all this,as

caught

going

me

altogether!

to

his fish.

As

face,asking
to

she

sat

finished

Subha

tried

It

go

to

wet

with

was

settled that

looked

hand

their

the

eyes

which

the

tenth

of

dear

river.

Earth,
'

Do

arms

hold

her

about
me

; she

him.

towards
his

cheek

they

should

It

was

claspedtheir

for

tears

as

her

threw

me,

fast.'

leave

me

as

I have

you,

beside

put mine

about

her

about

arms

mother.

was

and

room,

strong, silent mother, and tried

she

from

night

couch
her

fed

fell fast

left her

grassy

if she

necks

That

her.

to

She

comrades.

Subha
on

cow-shed

the

to

faces, and

moon.

down

let

not

went

spoke

the

flung herself

feet and

his

at

morrow

her childhood's

to

into

room
in his bed-

her, and

the

on

Subha

her

with

day

tears.

Calcutta.

bid farewell
them

comfort

to

That

smoking

gazed

she

as

I done

have

Banikantha,

down

dropped

again

tree.

her

was

nap,

weeping

out

Banikantha

grew

his

his mind

Pratap.

at

longer beneath

when

burst

looked

you

forget

What

and

in the hunter's

doe looks

silent agony

then,

don't

you

turned

he

stricken

Subha

so

no

having

Then
a

in

'

you

'

Mind

So

'

bridegroom,

your

married

be

are

to

he laughed :
fishing,

Pratap was

Su, they have

153

to

Put
you,

say
your
and

SUBHA

154
One
dressed

day

in

her

up

with

great

hair, knotting it up

her
about

with

natural
Her

the

friend

dizzy

with

Behind

bride.

select

to

the

stage, the

the

He
she

long time,

have

must

the
pearls,
oyster's

value, and
The

he

made

almanac

took

placeon

over

their dumb

an

heart.

was

at

structi
in-

her

after
so

tears, and

the

ning
scan-

bad/

thought

put it

to

her

the heart, which

leavingher parents, would

useful
child's
no

Not

He

the

saw

into

her

man,

arguingthat

distressed

presentlyprove

were

daughter's

her

great

of her

tender

credit in the account,

to-day was

with

his sacrifice.

called

sent

observed

note
special

took

regarded
dis-

parents

for

beast

she

The

presence.

her

with

tears

they

mother

before

weeping twofold,

Her

increased

aloud, and

examiner's

the

fear when

anxietyand

arrive

god

tears.

scolding. The bridegroom came

inspectthe

to

kill her

to

swollen

grow

harshly,but

her

her

hung

filled with

eyes

fearing
theywould

mother,

mother

imprisoned

did her best

Subha's

beauty,

She

care.

in laces, she

and

ornaments,

weeping, scolded

in Calcutta,Subha's

house

possession.Like

the

only increased

her

tears

other

comment.

consulted,and

the

day. Having
auspicious
girlinto

another's

marriage
delivered

hands, Subha's

THE

POSTMASTER

157

POSTMASTER

THE

THE

of

village
small

like
His

office

shed,

no

fish

far

not

all

sides

The

men

leisure

an

Among
at

At

two.

dense

for
in

and

managed

to

he
the

this

slimy

village.

remote

in

thatched

dark

felt

He

Calcutta.

were

in

the

they

surrounded

pond,

folk.

the

of

art

he

nor

had

he

tried

his

hand

either

much

at

159

to

Calcutta

with

others.

proud

or

had

ill

but

do.

writing
the

had

desirable

postmaster

of

movement

is

associating

the

factory

hardly
Nor

appears

rate,

indigo

were

decent

any

company

That

growth.

moreover,

strangers

times

in

green,

employed

At

was

by,

near

had

to

water

living-room

adept

ease.

little

of

by

companions
boy

belonged

from

village

the

established.

out

and

the

Englishman,

an

in

duties

indigo factory

an

postmaster

his

up

Though

was

office

post

Our

on

there

proprietor,
a

took

Ulapur.

one,

the

get

first

postmaster

leaves

verse

or

and

the

160

THE

clouds

of the

such

"

to

POSTMASTER

sky
the

were

enough

were

sentiments

give expression.
fellow would

poor

life,if

new

had

in

and

all,and

some

genie

of

swept

away

the

replacedthem

Nights

trees, leaves

the

from

road, hiding the clouds

Arabian

with

the

giftof

the

as

sought

that

knows

felt it

have

night

one

God

But

he

which

to

joy

filllife with

to

macadamised

view

with

of

rows

tall houses.
The

his

cook

Ratan,

meals, which

own

orphan girlof

an

jobs for

in the

from

Batil

sang

sect

bush
their

when
meeting-place,

bamboo

the

his

Ratan

you
1

did odd

Smoky

began

call

fires

are

faquirsof
their

in

had

the

postmaster
'

out

sir ?

felt

have

the

daily

attempted

ghostlyshiver
would

lighthis

Ratan/

waitingfor

sit outside

call me,

cicalas

of the leaves in the dense

back,

would

the

curl

to

the

and

poet, who

any

and, instead of coming

Did

the smoke

shrill songs

movement

little lamp, and

to

share with

to

who
village,

; when

thickets,would

down

run

used

villagecow-sheds,1

the

every

watch

the

evening

chirped in

to

he

had

He

him.

When
up

small.

salarywas
postmaster's

in

at

once,

would

this

call,

reply:

'

lit in the cow-sheds

to

drive off

mosquitoes.

'

What

are

161

POSTMASTER

THE

doing ?

you

'

postmaster would

the

ask.
'

would

be the

And

going to light the

be

must

answer.

postmaster would

the

fire be for awhile

kitchen

last

At

tobacco.

lightthe

This

opportunity

an

Ratan/ perhapshe would

anything of

her

mother

He

used

his

work,

to

she

rod.
events

one

she

had

home

in

others,

how

on

like

squat

to

with

Such
from

and

twig

mind

mind.

vividly.

evening

the

floor

after
out

her
near

crowded

in

little brother

that

bygone cloudy day

some

him

on

the

make-believe

little incidents would

her

of her than

memories

for

partly

pictures in

on

played at fishingwith

pond,

fertile

more

the

Well,

'

evenings stood

two

or

called

She
and

"

was

fonder

recollected

would

Ratan

her.

That

been

had

postmaster'sfeet,as

she had
the

come

and

memory.

upon

him

clearlythan

more

the

father

Her

didn't.

'

master
post-

remember

you

partly remembered,

subject. Ratan

the

conversing.
*

live coal

give

begin, do

mother

your

puffed-out

flame

would

of

pipe first.'

my

with

enter,

let the

Oh,

"

lightme

would

Ratan

say

cheeks, vigorouslyblowing into

to

fire/

kitchen

Thus,

drive
as

out

edge

of

fishinggreater

they talked, it
M

THE

62

would

often

would

feel

Ratan

would

POSTMASTER

get

lazy

too

then

of

remnants

do

to

the

postmaster

cooking

any

bread, which, with

morning meal,

the

all.

at

hastilylightthe fire,and

unleavened

some

late, and

very

toast

the

cold
for

enough

was

their supper.
On

evenings,seated

some

corner

of the

would

call up

his

exile

of his

memories

heart

"

but

always haunting him,

talk about

with

himself

found

presence
about

the

which
he

so

all her
each

life.

In
of

one

allude

And
his

to

fact, she
them

had

he

in the
it

came

people as

if she had
sister,1
as

mother, brother, and

not

factory,
though

simplelittle girl.

girlwould

were

could

aloud

of the

pictureof

in his

them
naturally
recalling

that the

them

for whom

which

of the

men

too

home, of his

own

memories

sad,

was

in the

shed, the postmaster

big empty

his sister,of those

and

mother

his desk

at

painted in

known

complete
her

little

heart.
One
a

was

damp
warm

during

noon,

cool soft breeze

grass and

the children

call

the

brothers

and

servants

elder

break

in the

blowing;

leaves in the

breathingof
Family

the

hot

the tired earth

master

sisters.

and

mistress

rains,there
smell

sun

on

father

of

the

felt like the

one's

and

body.

mother

and

THE

164
Thus, in
far

POSTMASTER

the double

as

It seemed
would

all

end.

heavilyclouded

One

little pupilhad
for her

been

She

found

her

retire
'

name
'

"

Were

Ratan

'

She

voice
plaintive

said
hot ?

; is it very

head

In the loneliness
of the rains,his

nursing.
the
to

forehead

'

slowly entered

the

at

'

out

on

The

her

asked

postmaster
well.

his

about

was

and

once

not

am

Feel

in
my

'

of his exile,and

body
ailing

of soft hands
presence

of mother

took

suddenly heard

turned
?

the door

usual,she

as

she
resting,
she

longed to

imaginethe

nearness

not

He

and
impassable,

stretched

was

Dada
sleeping,

you

and

master

when
tip-toe,

on

night

in punts.

hearing it

and, thinkinghe
pallet,
to

and

croakingof

the

became

season

morning, the postmaster's

dog-eared book,

room.

as

hollows

long waitingoutside

call,but, not

her

up

heard, and

was

be done

to

the

Day

water.

villageroads

marketing had

got

Canals, ditches,and

overflowingwith
The

of

showers

the

though

the patter of rain

frogs.

had

time, Ratan

consonants.

as

never

were

short

very

and

disappointed. Ratan

of

needed

remember
with

in the

gloom

little tender

the

touch

bracelets,
tinkling

lovingwomanhood,

sister.
ceased

on

And
to

the exile
be

the
was

littlegirl.

POSTMASTER

THE
She

at

in the
the

stepped into

once

villagedoctor,

cooked
asked

It

Are

was

weakened
'

No

an

body,

transfer/

He

for
application

unhealthiness

from

no

up

old

her

sometimes

Ratan

the

her

great fear
be found

last,after
With
the

an

room

Dada?1

as

was

old
was

Calcutta

to

chair,

his

call.

would

She

find

the

master
poston

his

the

air.

stretched

or

she

But

in

and
the

the

the

her

application.The

over

heart
"

"

Were

"

call came,

she

Ratan
you

one

her

might
At

consonants.

come

girl

again

over

double

call did

overflowing
with

again

awaitingher call,the postmaster

lest,when

week,

of the

Ratan

the door.

furtivelyto

his

lessons

wanting

I must

ground

nurse,

old

same

awaitinga reply to

read

'

staringabsent-mindedly into

pallet,and

was

off

the

place outside

sittingon

While

duties

inside

peep

'

place.

her

longer heard

sick-bed.

his

decision.

wrote

once

then

and

postmaster, with

leave

transfer,on

of the

Relieved
took

at

pillow,

better,Dada

the
to

his

now

every

little

able

was

night by

of this/ said he with

more

get

and

before

time

some

all

up

feelinga

you

patient his pillsat

the

gave

gruelfor him,

his

post of mother, called

the

intervals,sat

proper

165

evening.

rushed

into

callingme,

THE

66
The

POSTMASTER
said

postmaster

'

going

am

morrow,
to-

away

Rat an.'
'

Where
I

are

'

When

'

will you

Ratan

asked
of his

he had

transfer

resignedhis post,

For

long time

word.

lamp

The

from

in

leak

went

one

floor beneath
After
kitchen

to

of

think

had

entered

suddenly asked

him

home

The
said

spoke another

the

earthen

and

thatch
vessel

water
on

other

she

days. Many

the

the

not

new

things

so

When

the

his supper,

Dada, will you

to

was

little brain.

her

finished
:

off

went

; but

meal

the

on

had

your

so
rejected,

going home.

was

of

rose,

it as

postmaster

the

that

dimly burning, and

corner

Ratan

prepare

quick about

master,
post-

it.

while

been

of them
on

an

The

tell her

to

on

had

and

neither

dripped steadilyinto

to

question.

accord, went

own

'

back.
other

no

for
application

his

back

come

coming

not

am

'

home/

going

am

going, Dada

you

take

me

girl
to

'

postmaster

he ;

but

explainto

the

That

whole

he

laughed.
did

not

girlwherein
night,in

'

think

What

an

idea !

it necessary

to

lay the absurdity.

her

waking

and

in her

'

THE

dreams,
her

On

in

the

reason

the

was

as

of his

time
from

bathing in
of

ready

bath

anxious

about

kindly

said

'

No,

at

had

fetched

the

no,

you

all about

Ratan

heart
a

but

for

not

be

I shall tell

These

you/

the

face

need

You

words

inscrutable

scoldingfrom

burst

need

not

I don't

me

water

noiselessly,

master's

her

She

bear.

the

After

entered

doubt

many

it.

want

complaint, but

without
not

about

after

woman's

the

some

ask him

away,

no

borne

had

could

she

meant,

of

the ways

master

look

to

successor

Ratan

going

my

For

not

She

said

master

kept

in

plunge

his

to

and

village.

might

silentlyinto

The

are

he

stuck

sunrise, that it should

call for Ratan.

orders.

were

before

long

earlyas

looked

my

she

departure,so

as

came

and

of the

postmaster

drawn

water

taking

custom

river

the

had

He

other, the girlcould

or

the

morning,

ready.

of

habit

'

pitchers,instead

river

be

bath

his

Calcutta
in

idea

an

gettingup

found

167

postmaster'slaughing reply haunted

the

What

'
"

POSTMASTER

these

words

weeping,and

out

tell

kind

her

anybody

want

to

thing
any-

stay

on

here.'

The
never

postmaster
seen

Ratan

was

dumbfounded.

like this before.

He

had

THE

68
The

incumbent

new

before

depart. Just
said

it will

Here

his

Oh, Dada, I pray

don't
ran

in any
out

away
The

bag,put

When
and

he

her
the

an

with

he

world.
boat

felt

had

But

anything,

me

she

his

up

his shoulder, and,

over

the boat

go

of

of

back, and

had

way,

stream

of

and

sobbed

pain

tears

At

one

waif, forsaken

got well into the middle

to

pervading
time

bringaway

just filled

at

heart ;

at

girlseemed
village

herself.

lonesome

the wind

sort

under

was

great unspoken

Earth

impulse to
that

cried

sigh, took

earth, swirled

the

Mother

him

travelling

me,' and then

river,like

the

represent for him

had

month's

for the boat.

in and

face
grief-stricken

grief of

his

carryinghis many-coloured

man

got

bows, then

his umbrella

slowlymade

from

brought

his feet and

about

heaved

the rain-swollen

wellingup

He

his

give

hope

sight.

accompanied by a
tin trunk, he

at

don't

you,

postmaster

carpet

fell

trouble

way
of

trifle for

Ratan

of

whole

the

Ratan,

; I

you

little time.'

some

pocket

Then

called

for

something

salary,retaining
only
expenses.

charge,preparedto

startinghe

is

for

keep you

from

out

'

the

and

duly arrived,

having given over

postmaster,

and

POSTMASTER

the

he

along
of

the

the
sails,

of the turbulent

and

its

So

the

already

and

current,

borne

traveller,

swift-flowing

the

partings

But

about

wandering
It

in

some

return,

away.

be

may

corner

and

Alas

that

for

her

is

why

the

death,

on

She

philosophy.

she

of

meetings

returns.

none

office

post

that

sophical
philo-

with

world

the

the

"

no

the

of

numberless

which

had

Ratan

in

on

from

parting,

great

tears.

going

sight.

breast

himself

the

on

in

the

on

behind,

left

was

came

consoled

river,

reflections
and

village

burning-ground

outlying
the

169

POSTMASTER

THE

heart

she

foolish

still

had

that

could

human

in

her

hope
would

Dada

heart

of

flood

lurking

not

was

herself

tear

IF

of

step
of

wish

you

of

four
water

had

bank,

where

the

water

to

the

the

of

newly
and

The

sunlit
bathe

the

murmur

risen

sun

not

were

boats

river.
his

they
in

puffed

at

had

full
out

173

moored

bank,

dawn.
had

just

The

caught

begun

to

bloom.
their

Brahmin

ritual

above

the

on

sandbank

the

yet

The

trees

the

bend

that

towered

flow-tide

of

fishing-boats,

babla

on

The

beneath

At

grove.

heaving

Only

parts
dense

grew

The

about

was

surface.

brick-heaps

the

grasses

with

this

on

flood.

the

plant

old

full

low-lying

mango

of

little

the

them.

the

in
above

kachu

three

tall

(September)
was

to

up

around

of

flower,

to

peeped

crept

on

path

the

steps

trunks

rocked

the

river

river,

the

Ashwin

The

branches

the

of

of

my

the

to

ears

your

sit

by,

gone

water.

month

begin.

to

days

lend

and

mine,

The

of

hear

to

rippling

the

STAIRS

RIVER

THE

vessels.

tiny

priest
The

had

sails

come

women

on

THE

174
arrived
knew

in

this

RIVER
and

twos

threes

the time

was

STAIRS

of

draw

to

Kusum's

water.

coming

to

the

bathing-stairs.
But

that

Swarno

mourned

the

at

friend had

their

I missed

morning
been

ghat}

led

Bhuban

her.

was

with

people, strange houses, and

from

away

that

husband's

her

to

house, which
strange

placefar

said

They

away

and

the river,

strange

roads.
In

time

talked

by

of

touch

the

the

ghat

evening I

one

familiar

long

were

rarely

now

startled

was

feet.

Ah,

anklets,

without

now

mind.

my

lost their old music.

become

had

Kusum
her

husband

and

that
letter

the

feet

those

they had

had

she

at

wife's

red

widow.

worked

had

met

brought her

widow

in
him

the

and
bangles,

the

Ganges.
there.
were

from

mark

But

she

Of

to

found

married, and

place,
twice.

or

his death.
rubbed

that

out

A
the

forehead, stripped off

her

them,

once

of
had

said

far-off

some

news

back

come

They

only

eightyears old, she

her

Amala

But

of

out
at

women

of Kusum.

yes, but

The

passed.

year

faded

she almost

her

old

home

few of her old

Bhuban,
gone

Bathing-place.

away

Swarno,
;

by
mates
playand

only Sarat

remained,

and

December

next.

the

of

coming

by day

drew

men's
and

away,
had

seemed

such

I know

bow

to

The

crowd

fame

day

the

holy

and

crowded

increased

would

holy

expound
book

counsel, some
So

months

of the solar
in the

in

the

arrival

the
was

left

women

temple

Gita,

for

some
spells,

or

fair

crowds
was

hold

Some

passed away.
vast
eclipse,

The

Sanyasi's
One

Bhdgbat, another

temple.

in

the womenkind.

the

Ganges.

Sanyasi,

into the

day by day.

recite the

would

far-

man.

rapidlyspread among
he

His

me.

shelter

took

village.The

the

pitchersbehind,

their

of

of

end

fair-skinned

whence,

front

in

abroad

noised

the

this,at

as

not

temple,in

Shiva

that Kusum

up.

morning

coming

hid

slipped

years

noticed

have

to

youth.

youth, and

Ten

mist.

day

pensiveface, and
her

over

with

Kusum

beauty and

her

September,a tall,young,

off

to

veil
in

as

eyes

none

grown
One

robe,

did

in

wed

be

fulness

to

so

of

fulness

dull-coloured

quiet manners
it from

rains,even

the

175

they said,would

too,

the

to

grow

her

But

she

Ganges rapidlygrows

the

As

STAIRS

RIVER

THE

day

forth

upon

sought

him

he
a

for

for medicines.
In

April,at
came

held

here

under

the time
to

bathe

the

babla

THE

176

of

Many

tree.

Sanyasi,and
from

the

was

morning.

of the

on

is

veil

fingersand

cried

is the younger

our

!
village

'

veil

out

Said
'

Ah

of

no

luck

to

Kusum

eyes !

He

the
no

was

and

most

two

it is !

So

littleparade

made

got

exactly the

Yet

another

'

Alas

woman,

not

the

water

That

same

young

back.

come

Bad

'

He

He

'

had
was

not

so

tall/

probablynot
the

time, and

such

not

the

thin

so

That
matter

big

a
'

or

settled

spread

further.

and
cast

There

evening,as
sat

her
was

shadow

full

the

my

upon

no

'

another,

questionfor

with
!

me

said

Another

Sanyasi,stirred

will

; he

more

; and

One
came

'

the

to

But, objected one,

'

one

Chattergu familyof

the

has

'

middle

dear

and sighed:
pitcher,

is

'

counting
sudden

husband

third,who

! he

and

man

beard

all of

women

married.

Sanyasi was

Oh

'

son

turning

her

with

nose,

without

The

little in the

He

brow,

been

had

Kusum's

our

parted her

her

party of

Kusum

visit the

to

pilgrimsnudged another,and

He

were

steps, when

my

women

Why

of

them

among

where
village

his beads

STAIRS

pilgrims went

the

It

RIVER

arose,

last step above

upon

other

moon

at

the

Kusum
water,

me.

the

ghat justthen.

The

THE
crickets

last

until it
dim

bells

and

had

of sound

wave

like

merged
of

groves
of the

water

STAIRS

chirping about

were

brass gongs
the

RIVER

On

bank

in the
dark

the

On

light.
moonglistening

and

bush

in

fainter,

sound

bank.

above,

of

of

line of

Ganges lay a
the

fainter and

shade

farther

the

temple"

in the

ceased

of

din

The

me.

grew

the

177

hedge,

under

the

ruined

houses, by the side of the tank, in the palm

grove,

gathered shadows

bats

porch

from

swung

Slowly

the

Descending

chhatim

of

The

shape.
Near

boughs.

of the

clamour

Sanyasi
'few

the
and

jackalsrose

and

behind

The

her.

veil

owl

Startingat

flew
the

away

sound,

put the veil back

at

He

the

about

was

her

on

away

to

saw

back,

go

from

their
to

came

head.

he

her.

she looked

hooting over
Kusum

temple.

head, and looked

face,as

her

the

ghat

slipped

moonlight fell upon

The

the

raised her

suddenly Kusum

when

of

out

came

steps of

sittingalone,

woman

low

of fantastic

base

the

temple, in

into silence.

sank

The

the

loud

the

houses

the

Then

up.

heads.

herself and
she

bowed

feet.
Sanyasi's

gave her

She

replied:

No

other

and
blessing

word

am

was

asked

called

Who

are

you

Kusum.1

spoken

that

night.

Kusum
N

'

THE

78

RIVER

slowly back

went

the

But

her house

to

Sanyasi remained

hours

long

that

passedfrom

the

east

rose

Henceforth
his feet.
stood

in

the

corner

to
listening

and

speak on

so

temple

flowers
the

Ganges
The

for the

the

pipes

; the

would

their

This

the

was

the

at

After

finishing
himself

to

have

not

stood
under-

would

long

season.

its close.

then

blow

in the

the

from

its
be

music
The

sing the

We

had

evening the

unexpectedlyfrom

lose

silence.

to

at

drawing water

driftingdown

begin

her,

"

would

sky

directed

ing
god's worship gather-

and

now

he

temple floor.

sound, and

boats

rowing, and

bow

dailyserved

drawing to

was

But

after
village
set

wash

to

winter

south

As

puja, and

springbreeze

warm

could

it.

alert in the

cold winds.

Sanyasi's

holy books, she

call her

to

implicitly.She

ever

"

the

moon

in silence,
but, listening
attentively
understand

acted

she

the

him.

used

religion.She

to

the

dailyto

come

expounded

morning service,he

tried

steps for

by.

temple.

he

his

she

my

west, and

When

it all ;

hard

last when

Kusum

saw

was

behind, fell in front of him,

entered

and

up

At

the

to

which

sittingon

night.

from
shadow, shifting
he

STAIRS

chillyaspect
heard

in the
would

boatmen
the

songs

current,

of

stop

Krishna.

THE

i8o

You, Master,
one

as

have

must

filled my

I dreamt

that

heart

left,and

whole
The

dream

Next

when

in

haunt

to

me

That

grown

within

dark

While

has

heart

she

known
!

me

her

me

all has

"

his

and

telling

firmlypressing

rightfoot.

speech done, the Sanyasisaid

tell

forth
Thence-

me.

tears

stone

must

far from

'

my

cYou

in

appeared

peace,

tale,I felt that the Sanyasiwas

Her

remained.

fled

this

surface with

me

dream-picture

no

wiping

was

The

all strange.

he

fear,and the pictureclungto

my

love.

in

at

on

mind.

my

in
sitting

was

of

him

before.

light than

continued
him

beheld

night

one

right hand

me

to

appear

But

claspingmy

not

I adored

the bliss of that

heart

vanished, but its hold

day

another

and

fulness.

to

whispering to
did

scene

all.

guessed it

the lord of my

garden somewhere,

his

STAIRS

god, I worshippedhim,

devotion

RIVER

whom

in

saw

you

your

dream.'
With
He

insisted

Wringing
He

Then
on

her

hands, she entreated

folded

'

her hands

replied:

'

'

on

my

must

You

tell

she asked

Yes, you

crying,
face

You

are

'

he was/

who

me
'

I cannot.'

I tellit ?

Must

'

must/

he, Master

stony bosom, and

'

she

sobbed.

fell

THE

When

she

Sanyasi

that

Tou

must

slowly

that

to-night
am

'

Sanyasi,

181

and

to

the

up,
this

place
Know

again.

me

see

belonging

not

sat

leaving

am

not

may

you

world.

this

me.'

forget

Kusum

herself,

to

came

said

STAIRS

RIVER

replied

in

low

voice

'It

be

will

so,

Master.'
The

Without

placed

left

the

stars

of

moon

set

splash

in

the

darkness,
of

take

leave/

my

bowed

Kusum

more

dust

the

his

feet

on

her

to

him,
He

head.

place.

The

heard

'

word

and

the

said

Sanyasi

the

as

skv.

if

it

the

night

wanted

to

raved

wind

The

water.

blow

dark.

grew

out

all

in

the

THE

CASTAWAY

183

THE

TOWARDS
the

terrific

thunder,

and

demons

the

waved

like

the

lashed

into

either

bank

and

"swayed

closed

on

of

the

side

to

of

the

clouds

Black

of

and

gods

The

trees

of

crash

lightning,

the

skies.

Doom.

from

of

room

An

The

would
able
The

on

to

return

wife,

recovered

me

spread

Sharat,
a

few

Ganges
the

was

gardens

side

with

any

harm

his

and
the

on

sighs

burned

more

saying

was

It

go

will
home
185

not,
now.'

houses

wife

floor,

'

were

intently

beside
wish

would

you

quite strong

Kiran,

to

riverside

saying

was

days

home

already.

on

lamp

earthen

husband,
stay

one

husband

bed

discussing.

do

fury,

of

flashes

the

of

rain, the

battle

in

Flags

Chandernagore,

seated

be

that

height.

groans.
In

at

of

its

at

was

repeated

raging

was

storm

downpour

think

might

and

the

evening

From

you

CASTAWAY

them.

you
then

again/
'

cannot

have

quite

possibly,

THE

86

CASTAWAY

married

Every

that the conversation

but

it towards

for and

and

in

stop here
Kiran
4

all

to

'

What

The

anxious.

month

asked

ever

been

fell

take

her

to
to

even

that

justnow

would

You

of the

one

every

in

'

this

was

Kiran

was

familyand neighbours,

seriouslyill,they
make

were

whether

Did

change

he

less
shame-

of air,

woman

no

he had
which

all

fuss about

much

so

suggest

place to

immortal.

do

more.'

supposed that

ill before,or

were

should

wiseacres thought it
village

if Sharat

that the folk

whelmed
over-

'

I suppose

moment

she

The

and

the

everything!

know

two

or

happened

wife and

mere

be

you

knows

abroad.

are

for her husband

a

doctor

favourite with her

that,when

round
to

thinks

doctor

Your

illness

had

universal

boat,

tears.

well
placeis perfectly

this

and

last it threatened

'

this

at

rudderless

Sharat, you

stop here

And

said
of

sorts

advance

not

days longer/

:
replied

Well/

well

few

againstdid

as

difficult,

not

was

Like

flood of

said

Sharat

at

brief

quite so

kept turning round

point;

same

understand

once

matter

solution.

the discussion

so

The

the arguments

at

not

was

reported it.

have

will

person

he

found
meant

imagine that

had
out
to

the

THE

88

Sharat
that

boat

of

one

got

to

in

She
to

to

then

her

at

warmed

ashore

in their

of

cup

gettinghim

garden.

for

clothes

the

boy.

invited

milk, and

set

him

that

he

were

coming

drink

to

that

belonged

the

boat

He

had

had

the face.

on

Kiran,
him

milk, asked

some

idea

no

He

was

stayed

at

his wife

her, and

this

would

might

longer.

be

Her

storm.

of

become

good swimmer,

and

his
had

the shore.
with

made

take

stay

the

boy's

good thing,

something

persuaded to

narrow

Kiran

thought

rather
have

His

them.

Sharat

moment
now

the

in

had

terrible death

They

troupe.

neighbouringvilla when

what

interest in him.

appearance

Nilkanta, and

was

theatrical

reach

to

boy
from

to

name

suddenly foundered

justmanaged
The

his

play in

to

companions.

escape

of hair

himself.

told her

He

time

boy, had

long curly hair, big expressive

sign yet

no

all about

warm

that

self,and

sweet

own

dry

some

had

boy

eyes, and

as

Brahmin

her

once

out

get

young

and

room.

The

after

upset in the storm,

swimming

was

work

been

occupants,

succeeded
Kiran

and, opening the door, learnt

up,

had

the

CASTAWAY

amuse

for

on

mother-in-law,too,

to

was

some

pleased

THE

at

CASTAWAY

the prospect of

her
at

his

profitingtheir

double

from

escape

well

the

other

this

wealthy family.
in

But

changed
The

world,

as

their

hookas

pouring

rain with

through

all whom

of

he

Then

boys
not

of all

chance

and

sorts

of

doubt

no

it,but she would

dandy
gave
drawn
know

of him
him

new

towards
more

not

with
ones

with
a

spotlessbed.

the

of

band

devoted

and

paws,

result

that

was

neighbourhood

that

had

Kiran

often warned

listen
Sharat's
too.

him, and

about

for

had

season.

Sharat

spoilingthe boy.

him

in the

ripeningthat
is

There

muddy

sizes,and

solitary
mango

in

off

go

got hold of

Sharat's

on

about

smoking

petted so recklessly

with

its visit

gathered

he

which

indoors

departure.

friends

make

Moreover, he had

came

left tokens

his

calmly

and
village,

the

mother

his

best silk umbrella

Sharat's

he met.

it

would

he

dog
mongrel village
that

and

in

home

pleasure in

secret

Sharat's

stroll

Sharat

from

and

master

opinion,and longed for

found

boy

delighted

was

findinga

at

while

short

his

as

guest by

Brahmin

himself

Nilkanta

And

kindness.

189

him, she

to

him.

And
also
was

her
She

cast-off

in

about
made

clothes, and

because
had

hand

she

felt

curiosityto

constantlycalling

CASTAWAY

THE

190
him

her

to

own

Kiran

meal

box

combed

and

dried

stand

in front

and

recite

Thus

waving wildly.
Sharat

audience, but
dislike

so

boy

been

he did

often got his

as

this

used

to

as

it in

mind

not

of the world
the earth

that,as

life
that the

and

It

about

was

was

was

cordial

Nilkanta

do

there.

by

the

His
of

hope

recitation ; but

love

devotion,

the

he had

up

boxed

ears

of

and

nothing
of

member

consisted

made

the

dreams.

but

by Sharat,

of
a

was

lured

to

try

one

could

in the

names

lay lapped in

The

human

be

as

taken

Sharat

when

hours

often

mid-day sleepspeedilyovercame

she

had

well

afternoon

her
had

would

his elf-locks

would

sit with

sometimes

hearingsacred
of her

Kiran

Sharat, who

would

mother

long

her

of his repertory

song,

boy, refused,nor

the

to

his part half

and

and

with

while

hair,Nilkanta

the

to

mid-day

bedstead

and

piecesout

passed merrily away.

persuade

side ;

her

appropriategesture

and

the

on

her

by

maid

with

her bath

be seated

would

betel -leaf

her

After

room.

least.

of

what

to

the

land

he

troupe,

In his short
to

come

pulled

perience
ex-

the conclusion
and

eatingsand

water,

so

beatings,

beatingslargelypredominated.

hard

fourteen

to
or

tell Nilkanta's

If it

age.

then his face

fifteen,

was

too

was

old

CASTAWAY

THE
for his years
too
a

things that

far

sign of

became

he

; but

eyes.
hot

and

bined
comartificial,

sometimes

and

for

knowing
appeared

used

seem

other

at

on

Either

times

fancy that

and
his

quietshelter
He

youth, but

lad of

teen
four-

And

because

he

be old

to

shone

been

outward

of Sharat's

had
now

lips
and

in his

large

young,

but

forcing-house

aspect.
house

leisure

and

garden

work

to

lingered in
he

or

his years, his

him

youth

had

as

smoked

heart remained

Chandernagore, Nature
unimpeded.

for

face, the confusion

his

lines that showed

innocence

immature

seventeen.

language beyond

ripened untimely his

unnatural

himself

natural

glareof publicityhad

In the

he

causes,

him

hair

and

was,

respect for his

too

into

puckered

he

Since

ceased.

growth

his

due

greater.

because

then

that

stature

exact

receive

years,

but

that

the

arranged

so

not

make

seventeen

the

Bidya's

small

how

These
to

hard

Damaynti, Sita,and

to

grew

saw

one

years.

way

he

small, he did

felt

played

required,and

manager
every

had

he

thoughtfulProvidence

Companion.

that, joining the

was

young,

very

parts of Radhika,

the

at

when

band

was

early or

too

man

fact

The

it

eighteen,then

or

either

was

late.

too

theatrical

no

seventeen

He

young.

boy

if

191

and
silently

kind

her
of

swiftly

THE

192

CASTAWAY
His

overpassedthat stage.
the

adequaterevelation.

to

came

years

its first

change,and

like

Kiran

treated

When

the

should

play the part

say

So

old

occurred

to

much

He

company.
a

his restless

keep his
a

and

misty dance
with

to

act

the

in

not

now

even

his

strolling

mind

pick

to

factor.

Sharat's

But,

pet of his master's

sightof

the
it

wife,
Also,

him.

impossiblefor

before
an

his

open

bush

book

his

on

beside

boats

his mind

alone

the

him

to

advanced

from

never

the

gloriousthought

that

would

sit

lap,leaning
The

Ganges.

floated past, birds flitted

What

as

he

one

he

word
was

thoughts

looked

knew, if indeed

He

He

eyes.

above.
restlessly

twittered

he

was

up

from

sighedbelow,

book

not

the alphabet
longengaged ; presently,

mind

passed through
that

made

endure

not

he

lad-of-all-work

was

againsta champak
waves

could

he

she called for him

trainingmade

long enough

he

that

the idea

lady'scompanion,

that

even

the factor could

felt ashamed.

he

characters,he disappeared. It

Nilkanta

when

this,that

him, though

little education

because

did

of

observed

one

day proposed

one

him

than

more

boy,

eighteen

or

No

sign was

when

now,

again his

never

up

Kiran

dress hurt

why.

over

him

gay

of woman's

seventeen

he
to

down
did

on

know.

another,but

actually
reading

THE

book

boat

to

be

But

filled his soul with

dropped

energy

Whenever

exultation.

as

pretended

the top of his voice.

readinghard, shoutingat
soon

the

as

audience

gone.

Formerly

he sang

his

now

their

were

of littleimport,and

Even

the

little

full of

he sang

when

and

in forest

felt

he

if

as

far other

to
own

the

imagined he
of

the

"

stirred

slay

another

transportedto

music, and

of

mirror

It is

himself

familiar

This

folk.

surpassingbeauty.
slave

shady

thou

tale of
goose

That

flung upon

wilt

life became

poor

his

royal lady ?

Goose, ah ! say why

then

words

beyond

was

! wherefore

bird ! ah
our

wrong

Her

Their

alliteration.
trifling

meaning they had

Twice-born
To

but
automatically,

songs

stirred in his mind.

tunes

comprehension ; yet

his

193

lifted his book, and

by, he

went

his

was

CASTAWAY

and

his

but

theatrical

was

formed.
trans-

king'sdaughter

mind

the

pictureof

say what

he

little

destitute

faded

troupe

and

earth

he

impossibleto

was,

world,

from

his

memory.
with

When

dirtyand

eveningthe

hungry, in
1

Once

his

in the egg, and

2

See

note

on

child of

lies down,

want

squalidhome,
again once

out

of the

and

hears

egg.

Damaynti.
O

THE

194

of

CASTAWAY
fabled

princeand princessand

dark

hovel

springsfree
and

walks

from

fresh

in

of poverty and

bonds

her

in the

candle, his
flickering

its dim

with

gold,then

and

beauty

mind

misery,

glowing raiment,

strong beyond all fear of hindrance, through that

fairyrealm
Even

all is

where

this

so,

fashioned himself
in

spiritamid

possible.
of

drudge

wandering players

his world

and
his

The

songs.

birds
rustlingleaves,and calling
had

given

shelter

with

soft

their

became

one

with

singingended,
the

from

Fresh

of

owner

would

the

forth

by

land

above

box
the

once

and

his ears,

to

and

When
Nilkanta

of

make
the

advent

of

of

elf-locks.

neighbour,the
cuff him.

The

adoring youths,
ever

in

the

-orchard, Sharat

and

misleader

more,

water

new

branches

mischief
that

are

the earth.

Shortly after
younger

his

as

magic

some

his wild

despoiled mango

and

boy Nilkanta,
went

mirage faded, and

complaintsof

the

come

forsaken
God-

feet

rosy

of his song.

the music
the

by

these

appeared again,with

stage

water,

goddess who

the
helpless,

her
shining bangles,

flower-petals
; all

as

lapping
; the

him, the

moved

gracious,lovely face,her exquisite

; her
arms

to

he

as

anew,

the

brother, Satish,came

to

Nilkanta, Sharat's

spend

his

college

THE

196
offered.

So

meals

his

Kiran

in

her

eat

much

and
of

bliss of

him

would

try this and

to

it

if Kiran

now,

eating much,

and

choking voice

and

concern,

him, and

for him

throw
his

then

himself

A
a

his

was

habit

news

put
on

which

luxury to

allow

out

relic from
of

even

his

He

repeatedrefusal,
; he

pictured

she

would

send

for

But

nothing of

the

knew, and

Againstwhom
poverty, when

its stains in the cup

left.

he

in his room,

paroxysm

of

sent

never

whatever

lamp

days

in

thought

in the darkness,

pillow in

ask

to

maid
serving-

finished
the

water.1

get up without

of his

never

his

miserable,and

hungry/

eat.

his bed

drained

present

was

the

that

grievance?
was

not

reach Kiran

to

Kiran

in the

head

What

the

the maid

; and

would

He

not

hoped

him

press

happened.

sort

am

Before,

boy'sappetite,

had

would

to

the

had

seldom

was

thoroughlywith

He

hungry/ would

not

am

her

rare

that
imagination

in
'

'

to

that, he

say

Brahmin

served.

were

was

nothing tasted right.

cacies,
deli-

with

hands, and

rise till he

rinsed

have

to

seeingthis

meals

not

milk, and

ply him

difference

no

for him

Satish's arrival she

her

on

Nilkanta's
made

he

But

and

presence,

less spare time

her absence

send

to

satiety. After

to

present when

cup

liked

in the

happy
boy

CASTAWAY

being wasted.

and

burying
of
?

milk

sobs.
And

was

too

CASTAWAY

THE

from

whom

none

else came,
the

caresses

Nilkanta
that Satish
If Kiran

smile, he would
of Satish

trick
took

jump
had

his

hate, to make

and

Satish him.

wrath

could

tried to
the

with

in

heart

own

hear

idea

of

rebirth Satish,
that

and

Brahmin's

the

within

he

more

his

curses,

him.

And

fire of

the

burn

He

all the fervour

next

vain

Satish

laughing and

would

joking

away
One

the

by

the

contrive

his

enmity

hundred

petty

show
a

find

that

water,

and

Satish

When

annoyance.

river,and left his soap

on
coming
bathing-place,

his favourite

found

openly to

would

in the

swim

steps of the

on

he

causing him

for

it he

dared

never

But

of

went

him

an

some

his sister-in-law.

ways

he

the

Satish with

would

Satish.

the

had
be

never

Nilkanta
to

He

did his

upstairshe

at

that

with him.

angry

gods, with

the
him

consume

more

her

usual

her

not

conclusion

the

to

made

prayingto

to

had

absent-minded, and

was

againsthim.

mind

poisoningKiran's

was

conviction

unshakable

the

to

came

lad.

of the motherless

heart

wounded

her soft

with

Sleepsoothed

Mother

last,when

At

expect redress ?

he

did

197

it had

back

disappeared.

stripedtunic
thought

it had

on

for

Once

floatingpast
been

blown

wind.

day Kiran, desiringto

entertain

Satish,

for Nilkanta

sent

there

in

asked

him

silent.

silence.

gloomy
what

And

recite

to

Kiran
Quite surprised,
But

he

again pressedby

her

the

was

when

usual, but he stood

as

matter.

favourite pieceof hers,he

particular

some
'

CASTAWAY

THE

198

1 don't

At

and

remember/

last the

Everybody

time

them.

The

questionwhether

But

The

by Kiran,

alongwith
she let the

they were

had
matter

words

had

But

home.

return

Satish

to

going

was

said

word.

seemed

not

or

go

of

matter

her

been

fact,had

proposed
husband

and

him

take

to

his mother

objectedso strenuouslythat
drop. A coupleof days before

all

start, she

to

their

nobody

was

answered

anybody.

to

who

them.

brother

kind

he

question,as

raised

and

Nilkanta

to

occurred

have

to

for

came

repeat

to

away.

busy packing up.

was

with

not

walked

remained

advised

for the

sent

him

to

back

go

with

boy, and
to

his

own

home.
So
touch
into

of kindness
tears.

was

had

created

he
too

was

Kiran's

filled with

She

had

days

many

eyes
remorse

tie of

felt

for him

much

also

were

at

this

neglectedthat

the

burst

; he

brimming

over.

thought that

which
affection,

could

not

she

be

permanent.
But

Satish

was

much

annoyed

at

the

blubbering

CASTAWAY

THE
of this
there

howling

When

Kiran

he

from

up

for

him

the Lord

do

king. Naturallythe tigerhas

mouse

And

he

nothing

like

again.1

that

there is

your

heart.'

would

like

needle

to

burn
It

him

to

ashes.

to

his

had

Satish

grand

of his, and

with

The

by

penholder.
cleaned

it

tapping the

To

reference

tiger.

to

wrong

our

fire to

bled.
Calcutta

in

mother-

-silver

goose

great favourite

carefullyevery
would

beak, would

bird, ah ! wherefore

scarred.

and

set

was

even

from

him

Kiran

silver bird's

Twice-born

It

pieces;

to

not

was

German

felt he

through

inkpot was

old silk handkerchief.

an

Satish

that bled

heart

drawn

he

cut

and

soften

to

He

spot.

Satish

But

like

become

to

two

or

the

through

own

inkstand.

supporting

to

brought

of-pearlboat

knife

piercehim

only

was

be

turns

is treated
wish

no

tear

hurriedlyleft

Nilkanta

fellow

This

evidentlydiscovered

has
a

he.

understand.

not

where, and

knows

said

unfeelingcreature,

an

trustful.

and

good

'

speaking ?

Sister mine, you

'

too

are

of

the fool stand

does

Why

instead

scolded

replied:

You

boy.

overgrown

199

day

with

laugh and,
say

"

stirred

royal lady ?

folk-story of

saint

who

turned

pet

mouse

into

THE

200

and

the

between

usual

day

before

smiled, and
off

flown

'

that Nilkanta

they had
him.

also

it back

once.'

at

punishment
with

from

'

'

Nilkanta

fierce

If Satish had

choked.
flown

like

him

at

undeserved,

or

when

said another
wild

taken

always

he

swelled, and

breast

Bring

'

called

was

his eyes blazed

presence,

his

anger,

stolen

out.

had

perfect
equanimity. But,

the

room

have

You

blurted

he

peoplesaid

broughtbefore

Sharat,deserved

thief in Kiran's

have

there.

was

certain

was

the

the accused

thief !

inkstand, you

my

had

has

for several

prowling about

Kiran

goose

He

great rage.

"

He

Kiran

Damaynti."

stolen it

him

night before.

out

be found.

nowhere

Brother-in-law,your

in

had

seen

break

start, the inkstand

to

for your

look

JSatish was

But

they were
could

said

to

would

words

her brother-in-law.

missing,and

was

of

war

her and

The

CASTAWAY

word

cat, and

with

his

throat

he would

used his nails

like claws.
Kiran

greatlydistressed

was

takingthe boy
kind

'

way

inkstand
no

one

into another

Nilu, if you

give it to

me

says another
1

To

at

reallyhave

find Satish

to

scene,

and

said in her sweet,

room

and
quietly,
word

the

you
wife.

taken

I shall

about

see

it.'

that

that

Big

THE
coursed

tears

hid

CASTAWAY

down

the

from

back

Nilkanta
Satish

has

could
Kiran

Sharat

have
said

dare

be

as

she

spoke,

That

tears.

Kiran's

two

new

with

suits of

these

and

intended
a

to

From

banknote

her

The

bunch

with

.up

with

odds

effectually
!

at

this

She

got

pity

pair of shoes, and

in

hand

the

itself had

and

boy.'

filled with

lad.

she

she

She

into his box

her

selected

ends

quietly

evening.
been

fitted,and noiselessly
opened the

jumbled

forgive

of Nilkanta

in her

keys

If you

innocent

partingpresents

of

box

and

homeless

room

box

and
:

eyes

matter,

clothes and

put these

surprise.

the poor

molestation

Nilkanta's

into

went

on

the

on

but

never

never,

overflowed

attempted outrage

boy,

room

said

wonderful

her

further

heart

Nevec.'

the

Kiran

I will

spy

settled

prevented any

his

that

And

not

than

other

no

it.

allow

thing

and

it.

suggested

shall

You

you.
And

such

sure

am

Sharat

cross-examine

searched.

the inkstand.'

done

to

to

Satish

do

said

determinedly :

wanted

his wife refused

should

and

equally positivethat

Nilkanta

Then

bitterly. Kiran

wept

room,

taken

not

were

But

the

till at last he

boy's cheeks,

his face in his hands, and

came

as

201

box.
that

gift.
that

one

It

was

the

so

new

THE

202

clothes would
better

take

him.

not

first

bottoms

there

of
to

came

with

for

and

under

the

flushed

linen

wise.
other-

emerged

all !

and

her

and

there

face, sat

in

such

discovered.

were

layerof linen,clean

inkstand

the

for

peeling green

tumblers

boy'sheart

missinginkstand, goose
Kiran, with

had

box

the

pack

broken

from

And
the

and

thought she

knives, tops, kite-flying

reels,

thingsdear

Then

So she

twigs,polished shells

mangoes,
like

in.

go

everythingout

At

bamboo

CASTAWAY

down

hand,

helplessly

puzzled

and

into

the

wondering.
In

the
from

room

He

had

Kiran

behind
the

seen

had
"

not

him

he

throw

Then
had
never

not

what

had

Kiran

deed

at

he?

stolen,and yet he

explain to

could

What
was

Kiran

not

how

How

out.

that

had
he
?

the first chance

thief/ his heart cried out,

in his

him

her

only revenge

that

thought

was

convince

to

it.

knowing

catch

to

put it in his box

was

come

inkstand, which

into the river

he

his

that

the

take

thief

that

had

thing,and

whole

hope

ever

moment
was

and

thief,and
to

without

like

come

thieving,
could

Nilkanta

meantime,

he

prompted

not

he

thief!

to

meant

In

instead.
'

was

'

He

thief!

say?
He

weak

He
could

grievouslywrong

'

SAVED

GOURI

of

had

Paresh,
his

so

to

home,
she

she

that

quite

in

advocate
close

would

he

of

none

he

of

was

the

to

keep

useful,

that
207

the

rising

loss

to

any
man

long.

of

the

understand
too,

he

reason

Especially

particular
was

had

sometimes

without

him

an

thought

Sometimes,

servants

suited

ever

desired

at

was

felt

and
his

went

was

that

so

suddenly.

one

them

Gouri

because

back

came

dismiss

would

Gouri

He

All

before

she

never

town,

much

so

privation

last

him.

him.

he

as

daughter

to

at

western

home

first

At
he

why

wife,

come

Court.

if

his

their

Paresh

to

with

kinsman

about

was

small

long

her

And

belonged
a

improved

when

young

house.

husband's

her

no

longer

no

efforts

kept

surrender

to

husband,

So
had

parents

unwilling

was

own

circumstances.

Gouri's

poor,

his

child

Her

family.

by

recently

nurtured

delicately

wealthy

straitened

was

at

and

old

an

beautiful,

the

was

sure

servant

to

be

SAVED

208

of

rid

got

forthwith.

The

Gouri
high-spirited

greatlyresented this,but

her

her husband's

still stranger.

At

behaviour

last when

Paresh, unable

longer,began

any

about

maid

She

ears.

was

like

his wife

them.

his

more

the

his

wife

treated
the

these

at

soon

her

it with
his

pride

insults,

destroyer's
he

as

motive, felt
to

fire of

; but her

like

Paresh, as

taxingGouri

did

more

lioness

understood

delicacyabout

his wife's

thingreached

suspicionswept

between

that

the
cross-question

to

wounded

himself

contain

to

of few words

woman

this mad

sword

secret

her, the whole

raged within
and

in

only made

resentment

silent

more

no

face ;

saw

the

and

contempt,

jealousyconsume

him.
of

Deprived
betook

Gouri
She

sent

wedded

herself

the consolations

to

for

Paramananda

Swami,

the

Prayer-House

hard

preacherof

acknowledging him
asked

him

expound

to

her

as

the

Gita

to

out

No

one

Paramananda's
And

because

had

any

doubts

did

young
ally
form-

All

the

heart

was

the feet of her Guru.

character.
Paresh

the

her.

poured

at

religion.

spiritual
preceptor,

love and affection of her woman's

reverence

of

by, and,

wasted

in

childless

happiness,the

about
All

not

the

purityof

worshipped

dare

to

hint

at

him.
any

SAVED
his

suspicionagainsthim,
his heart
One

like

day

hidden

as

Gouri
trodden

with

bitter

irony :

forthwith

locked

the door

Gouri

white

his

sky, Gouri

'

like

And

You

of

flash

'

Rescue

With

back

home.

took

up

the

asked

But

been

has

am

'

this

At

Court-house,

and

this last outrage,

the

silence of

the

of

lightningout
his

scripturesin
All

noon.

of

Guru

in

Who

surprise.
said

Guru/

sent

he

whether

of his

me

here

to

Gouri

again

ever

reading.

open,

has been

she,

feet/

the service of your

door

at

cloudless

and allow
life,

home

I wonder

house.

reading.

lord

my

snapped thread

'

suspicion,said

rebuke, Paramananda

stern

the

in

Paresh, finding the

home,

his

his

ascetic ?

somehow, and left the

myselfto

dedicate

that

if I

what

questionedher

me,

swear

snake

passionat

the insults of my

from

playsthe

by

in upon
'

that
a

to

that you

you

poring over

was

here ?

the

her.

heat

broke

'

made

Can

off to

got the door open

like

once,

'

on

lonely room

'

crane

went

Paramananda

maddened

and,

Paresh

In

said

up

sprang
on,

into

reviled Paramananda

Paresh

in love with this

not

are

its way

cancer.

and
hypocrite,

jealousyate

circumstance
trifling

some

poisonoverflow.
wife

209

his

on

return

'

SAVED

210

No

one

his wife

of my

the house

'

Why

Because

From
the

'

'

I wanted

leave the

placeat

make

not

Who

woman.

last

letter.

holy women
to

this world

God.

meet

o'clock

noon

before

me

the

her bath

religious
ought to

time

he could

the

tortured

poor

ascetic

got

it is

world

happen

devote

rescue

his feet.
in

selves
them-

that the trials of

from

his handmaid

If you

your

many

thoughts away

help

tank

that

true

to

got

desire,you

garden

at

two

afternoon.'

hid the
next

it

God's

by

the

felt he

same

the

driving your

to-morrow

Gouri
At

left the

holy service of

tale

were

imprisoned Gouri

the

Should

are

the

days and nights?

child,'it ran,
have

over

town.

forsake

to

say how

day

God, I will with

for the

the

at

terrible

one

My

to

turns.

insults that

He

mind

can

through those
At

the

over

disturbed
disciple

once

his

up

by

absurdly that

so

of Paramananda.

meditations

red

guard kept

shameful

the

his

dailyheaped on

may

had

told all

of

news

been

to.'

Paresh

day

jealousywas

The

have

Paresh, paleand

house, and^ behaved

of his

'

Guru.'

asked

that

replied.

letter in

day
she

when
found

the

she

was

that

loops

of

undoing
the

letter

her
her
was

hair.
hair
not

SAVED

212

When

to

came

of

of

assist

in

lying

poisoned

herself.

the

loyalty

wifely
rare

last

the

Gouri

body
had

friends

Paresh's

beside

indeed

rites,
that

All

she

loyalty
in

these

of

heard

were

had

they
of

her

lost

shown

degenerate

his

death,

found

the

and

dead

husband.

in

in

She

admiration

her

days.

sati,

MY

FAIR

NEIGHBOUR

213

MY

MY

feelings

in

the

at

least, that

towards

house

next

blossom,
for

been

dedicated

it

be
seek

must

give expression
unwilling
my

passion

inmost

had

pure
of

recesses

sephali-

Too

and

radiant

had

she

marriage-bed,

like

is

enclosed

the
in

outlet.

an

to

my

refused

mountain
the
That

emotions
to

of

place
is
in

and

stream,

why

desecrate

tried

poems
the

birth

its

;
to

but

my

object

of

worship.
It

my

pen

And

my

earth.

self.
myknew

dew-drenched

to

and

Heaven.

to

passion
to

the

flower-decked

the

But

like
fallen

keep

in

worship

Nabin,

mind.

my

could
it

was

untimely

holy

refuses

that

She

of

of

friends

my

intimate,

state

concealing

heart.

my

to

nearest

real

pride

thus

by

the

told

feelings

were

lived

who

widow

young

mine

to

my

of
of

sort

the

is what

Even

nothing

NEIGHBOUR

FAIR

happened

friend

Nabin

curiously
was

that

afflicted
215

just
with

at

this
madness

time
of

216
It

verse.

MY

FAIR

came

upon

unprepared

for

could

he

and

rhyme

he

equally

was

less
Neverthe-

rhythm.

succumbed

he

widower

It

earthquake.

an

refrain,for

not

fascination,as

the

like

him

fellow's firstattack,and

the poor

was

NEIGHBOUR

second

his

to

to

wife.

sought helpfrom

So Nabin
his poems

was

his poems

were

the

laughed, as

yet discovered
I confess

of my

to

pent-up

justwhat
on

earth

Nabin

'

Well,

have

That

friend.

Like

I lavished

revise
the

comfort

considerable

Nabin's
and

in

ing
brood-

hen

all the

warmth

effusions.

improve

largerpart

would

I wanted

do

fine sentiments

of

his
each

:
surprise

say, but

manage

you
?

to

in

say

So

crude
poem

could

get hold

to

'

That

is

How

not.

of all these

'

Poet-like, I would
my

him

one.

own.

my

Then

asked

replied:

passionon

productions,that
became

he

egg,

vigorouslydid

beloved

'

my

duck's

new

ever

'

that I found

bringinghelp
on

is

the

to

jest,and

is she ?

chap, who
Nabin

not

in

back

which

one,

all addressed

slappedhis

old

old,old

subjectof

The

me.

imagination; for,as

reply:
you

'

They

from

come

know, truth

is

silent,

MY
and

it is

NEIGHBOUR

FAIR

the

flow

imaginationcuts

out

And

'

was

as

of my

there

into

out

these

Nabin
these

in

are

Yes,

vicarious

yours

love

delicacywhich

prevented

hinder

to

of

there

Nabin

with

But

'

flow

the

feelinggushed

poems.

lucid

his

right!

are

own

my

thought

some

yes, you

warmth

true

Y-e-s,

'

say

after

nothing

was

; and

pen

would

words.

into

rock

for itself/

then

reverential

putting it

screen,

'

eloquent.

waxes

feelinglike

alreadysaid, in

of
feeling

from

me

again :

I have

path

; and

course

murmur

As

of

puzzledNabin

the poor

I see, yes, of

would

which

imagination only

Realityrepresses

217

would

moments

Let

say

publish them

me

'

over

But

your

name.'
Nonsense

here

Nabin

I will
the

I did

of

with

gazing

astronomer

house

turn
next

my

vision.

lightof

They

only added

deny that, with

not

again
a

reply.

graduallycame

sometimes

the

and

I would

are

yours,

touch

or

two

to

that

there/

and

And

of

'

fellow ; I have

dear

my

that

my

door.

furtive
And
countenance

to

feelingakin

into

eyes

believe it.

the

towards

It is also

glanceswould

the

least

starry heavens,
the window
true

be

glimpse of

would

at

once

that

now

rewarded
the

pure

still and

2i

MY

NEIGHBOUR

FAIR

all that
clarify

turbulent

was

and

in my

unworthy

emotions.
But

eyes ?

my

It

of

clouds

the

lightof

of forlorn

longingdid

of

those

space.

black

lustrous

radiance

serene

of limitless

that look
its way

surelysought
"

heart
the

At

look

And

what
in the

of mine

sightof

could

"

like
but

an

to

making

country.
write
its

on

cause.

I
the

Alas

winging
bird,

eager

the

of

nest

some

passionof

the unutterable

hardly

last I

At

within

beinglonged to

action.

there

was

contain

myself.

crude
longersatisfied with correcting
whole

far-away

Was

eyes !

moon

world

livingvolcano

clouds

heaven

not

fearful

neighbourstood,

yearning,which

the

through

human

of that

corner

strange and

I discover

then, perchance,still some

the

threatening.

was

fair

background my

into empty

One

in the north-west

againstthe

gazing out
look

afternoon.

summer

massed

; and

that

hot

I believe

Could

fitful nor'-westers

were

sky

startled.

was

was

of the fierce and

Black

day

one

widow
was

express

thought I
-

devote

but
subject,

also

only to
to

spend

no

My
worthy

some

remarriage popular

prepared not

was

poems.

itself in
would

that

myself
in

speak
money

my

and
on

MY

220

somewhat

was

of

NEIGHBOUR

impassionedthan

more

was

FAIR

find

surprisedto

little

my

I need

after

thoughtfulsighcompletelyagreed with
might

delivered

have

After

about

said that if I would

lead the way
I

and

The

me.

for the

him

I embraced

any

himself.
him

effusively,
be

quired
re-

told

me

his

was

not

an

might

Nabin

Then

and

me,

preparedto

was

that

money

purpose.

to

widow

by marrying a

promised

he

I felt I

came

him

help

overjoyed.

was

Nabin

week

needed

not

was

single

convincing perorationwhich

more

even

conclusion

the

at

Nabin

that

speech

been.

have

story.
I learned

Nabin's

that

imaginary being.
had

for

but

had

not

soul.
poems,

or

been

in

was

of

rather

my

widow

his

from

feelingsto
in

; and

distance,

living

any

which

used

poems,
hands

Nabin, too,

Nabin's

appear

had

the poems

had

to

ineffective.
that

Nabin

careful

to

that

magazines

the fair one's

Not
he

the

one

appeared that

adored

spoken

Then

reached
not

time

some

It

loved

way.

had

intended,
deliberately
conduct

explain,to

In

love-making

fact, said he, he had

that the

widow

post the

magazine,without

knew

how

to

read.

as

He

the
disclosing

no

idea

used

to

sender's

addressed

name,

only

of

sort

It

the

knows

god

It

concession

was

his

to

worshipper'saffair
he

whether

not,

or

brother.

flinginggarlands before

was

the

221

widow's

fancy of his,

it is not

deity;

the

to

hopelesspassion.
a

NEIGHBOUR

FAIR

MY

whether

accepts

or

ignoresthe offering.
Nabin

And

that

diverse

had

he

followed

Then

of the

last

at

near

relation

it

of

the

poems

them

his

marriage

together.

nor

the

was

subjectout

to

defeat

recent

had
the

consent.

in

mustered

But

courage

up

widow.

first he

At
when

of

his own,
Some

guardianto

make

the

fair

had

he

money

one

was

arrangements.

at

argument
to

to

cussion
disof

my

propose

could

full

made

eloquent words, supplemented by

my

ness
ill-

an

naturallyled

the

to

how

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smile.
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poems

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