In astonishment Kunda replied, “Why do you ask?”

“Have you ever seen your mother-in-law?”

“No.”

Kunda had heard that her mother-in-law, having lost her good name, had left the place.

Then said the Boisnavi:  “Your mother-in-law is here now.  She is in my house, and is crying bitterly to be allowed to see you for once.  She dare not show her face to the mistress of this house.  Why should you not go with me to see her?  Notwithstanding her fault, she is still your mother-in-law.”

Although Kunda was simple, she understood quite well that she should not acknowledge any connection with such a relation.  Therefore she merely shook her head at the Boisnavi’s words and refused her assent.  But the Boisnavi would not take a refusal; again she urged the matter.

Kunda replied, “I cannot go without the Grihini’s permission.”

This Haridasi forbade.  “You must not speak to the house-mistress, she will not let you go; it may be she will send for your Sasuri (mother-in-law).  In that case your mother-in-law would flee the country.”

The more the Boisnavi insisted, the more Kunda refused to go without the Grihini’s permission.

Haridasi having no other resource, said:  “Very well, put the thing nicely to the Grihini; I will come another day and take you.  Mind you put it prudently, and shed some tears also, else she will not consent.”

Even to this Kunda did not consent; she would not say either “yes” or “no.”

Haridasi, having finished purifying her face and hands, turned to the ladies and asked for contributions.  At this moment Surja Mukhi came amongst them, the desultory talk ceased, and the younger women, all pretending some occupation, sat down.

Surja Mukhi, examining the Boisnavi from head to foot, inquired, “Who are you?”

An aunt of Nagendra’s explained:  “She is a Boisnavi who came to sing.  I never heard such beautiful singing!  Will you let her sing for you?  Sing something about the goddesses.”

Haridasi, having sung a beautiful piece about Sham, Surja Mukhi, enchanted, dismissed her with a handsome present.  The Boisnavi, making a profound salute, cast one more glance at Kunda and went away.  Once out of the range of Surja Mukhi’s eyes, she made a few gentle taps on the tambourine, singing softly—­

    “Ah, my darling! 
    I’ll give you honey to eat, golden robes to wear;
    I’ll fill your flask with attar,
    And your jar with water of rose,
    Your box with spice prepared by my own hand.”

The Boisnavi being gone, the women could talk of nothing else for some time.  First they praised her highly, then began to point out her defects.

Biraj said, “She is beautiful, but her nose is somewhat flat.”

Bama remarked, “Her complexion is too pale.”