Srish hearing himself thus accused, remarked, “It may be so, my wife was absent at that time.”

The hearers shook their heads, saying, “He is under petticoat government!” which so delighted Srish Chandra that he called to his servant, “Prepare dinner; these gentlemen will dine with me to-day.”

CHAPTER XI.

CAUGHT AT LAST.

It was as though a flower had bloomed in the family house at Govindpur.  The sight of Kamal Mani’s smiling face dried the tears in the eyes of Surja Mukhi.  The moment she set foot in the house Kamal took in hand the dressing of her sister-in-law’s hair, for Surja Mukhi had neglected herself lately.

Kamal said, “Shall I put in a flower or two?”

Surja Mukhi pinched her cheek, and forbade it.

So Kamal Mani did it slily.  When people came in she said, “Do you see the old woman wearing flowers in her hair?”

But even Kamal’s bright face did not dispel the dark clouds from that of Nagendra.  When he met her he only said, “Where do you come from, Kamal?”

She bent before him, saying bashfully, “Baby has brought me.”

“Indeed!  I’ll beat the rascal,” replied Nagendra, taking the child in his arms, and spending an hour in play with him, in return for which the grateful child made free with his moustache.

Kamal Mani playfully accosted Kunda with the words, “Ha, Kundi, Kundi!  Nundi, Dundi! are you quite well, Kundi?”

The girl was silent in astonishment, but presently she said, “I am well.”

“Call me Didi (elder sister); if you do not I will burn your hair when you are asleep, or else I will give your body to the cockroaches.”

Kunda obeyed.  When she had been in Calcutta she had not addressed Kamal by any name; indeed she had rarely spoken; but seeing that Kamal was very loving-hearted, she had become fond of her.  In the years that had intervened without a meeting she had a little forgotten Kamal; but now, both being amiable, their affection was born afresh, and became very close.

When Kamal Mani talked of returning home, Surja Mukhi said, “Nay, sister, stay a little longer.  I shall be wretched when you are gone.  It relieves me to talk to you of my trouble.”

“I shall not go without arranging your affairs.”

“What affairs?” said Surja Mukhi.

“Your Shradda” (funeral ceremonies), replied Kamal; but mentally she said, “Extracting the thorns from your path.”

When Kunda heard that Kamal talked of going, she went to her room and wept.  Kamal going quietly after her found her with her head on the pillow, weeping.  Kamal sat down to dress Kunda’s hair, an occupation of which she was very fond.  When she had finished she drew Kunda’s head on to her lap, and wiped away the tears.  Then she said, “Kunda, why do you weep?”

“Why do you go away?” was the reply.