“Dearest,—­Since you returned to Calcutta you have forgotten me; else why have I had only one letter from you?  Do you not know that I always long for news of you?  You ask for news of Kunda.  You will be delighted to hear that she is found.  Besides that, I have another piece of good news for you.  My husband is about to be married to Kunda.  I have arranged this marriage.  Widow-marriage is allowed in the Shastras, so what fault can be found with it?  The wedding will take place in a couple of days; but you will not be able to attend, otherwise I would have invited you.  Come, if you can, in time for the ceremony of Phul Saja.[13] I have a great desire to see you.”

[Footnote 13:  Phul Saja.  On the day following the wedding, the bride’s father sends flowers and sweetmeats to the friends.]

Kamal could not understand the meaning of this letter.  She proceeded to take counsel with Satish Babu, who sat in front of her nibbling at the corners of a book.  Kamal read the letter to him and said—­

“Now, Satish Babu, tell me the meaning of this.”

Satish understood the joke; he stood up ready to cover his mother with kisses.

Then for some moments Kamal forgot Surja Mukhi; but presently she returned to the letter, reflecting—­

“This work is beyond Satish Babu, it needs the help of my minister; will he never come in?  Come, baby, we are very angry.”

In due time Srish Chandra returned from office and changed his dress.  Kamal Mani attended to his wants and then threw herself on the couch in a fume, the baby by her side.  Srish Chandra, seeing the state of things, smiled, and seated himself, with his huka, on a distant couch.  Invoking the huka as a witness he said—­

“O huka! thou hast cool water in thy belly but a fire in thy head, be thou a witness.  Let her who is angry with me talk to me, else I will sit smoking for hours.”

At this Kamal Mani sat up, and in gentle anger turning to him her blue lotus eyes, said—­

“It is no use speaking to you while you smoke; you will not attend.”

Then she rose from the couch and took away the huka.

Kamal Mani’s fit of sulking thus broken through, she gave Surja Mukhi’s letter to be read, by way of explanation saying—­

“Tell me the meaning of this, or I shall cut your pay.”

“Rather give me next month’s pay in advance, then I will explain.”

Kamal Mani brought her mouth close to that of Srish Chandra, who took the coin he wished.  After reading the letter he said—­

“This is a joke!”

“What is? your words, or the letter?”

“The letter.”

“I shall discharge you to-day.  Have you not a spark of understanding?  Is this a matter a woman could jest about?”

“It is impossible it can be meant in earnest.”

“I fear it is true.”

“Nonsense!  How can it be true?”