Over and above this there was the problem of her aunt, which had reached such a point that unless a solution could be found very quickly, disaster was inevitable. Sucharitu realised that her life had come to a crisis, and that the day for following her accustomed path and for thinking in the old habitual channel was past.
Her one and only support in this time of difficulty was Paresh Babu. Not that she asked advice or counsel from him, for there was much in her thoughts about which she felt a delicacy, and something also which seemed too shameful to mention before him. It wus simply his life and his companion¬ ship which seemed silently to draw her into the refuge of the fostering care of a father and the loving devotion of a mother.
In these autumn evenings Paresh Babu did not go into the garden for his worship, but used to sit in prayer in a little room on the western side of tho house. Through the open door the rays of the setting sun fell on his white hair and tranquil face, and at such times Sucharita would quietly stop in and sit beside him. She felt as if her own restless and tortured heart could be quieted in the still depths of Paresh Babu’s meditation. So when he opened his eyes Paresh Babu would generally find this daughter of his seated beside him — a still and silent disciple— and tho ineffable sweetness in which she seemed steeped would make his blessing silently flow out to her from the very depths of his heart.
Because of the union with the Supreme which Paresh Babu’s life consistently sought, his mind was always turned towards what was best and truest; worldly concerns had never been able to become predominant for him. The freedom which he had himself gained in this way made it impossible for him to seek to coerce others in regard to belief or conduct. Ho had such a natural reliance upon goodness and such patience with the ways of the world that he often drew on himself the censure of sectarian enthusiasts. But though such censure might wound him, it never disturbed his equanimity. He often repeated to himself the thought: “ I will take nothing from others’ hands, but will accept all from Him.”
It was to get a touch of this deep tranquillity of Paresh Babu’s that Sucharita nowadays used to keep going to him on various pretexts. When the conflict in her heart and the conflict all around her bid fair utterly to distract thi* in¬ experienced girl, she would feel that her mind could be filled sun GORA with peace only if she could lay her head for a while at her father’s feet,.
She had hoped that if she could but gain the strength to bide her time in patience, the opposing forces would exhaust themselves and own defeat. But that was not fated to be, and she had been forced to venture out into unfamiliar Pa When Mistress Baroda found that it was not possible to move Sucharita from her course by her reproaches and that there was no hope of getting Paresh Babu on her side, all her rage was turned with redoubled force upon Hanmohini. iue very thought of the presence in her houso of this woman made her feel beside herself...,, On the day of the annual celebration m memory of her father, Baroda had invited Binoy to be present. The family and friends were to meet for the service in the evening, and she was busy decorating the room for the ceremony, with the help of Sucharita and her daughters..
While thus engaged, Baroda happened to notice Binoy going upstairs to sec Harimobini, and as the veriest trifle assumes importance when the mincl is worried, this sight became in a moment so unbearable to her that she could not go on with what she was doing and felt impelled to follow Binoy to Harimohiui’s room, where she found Binoy already seated on the mat, chatting familiarly with Hanmohini “ Look here,” burst out Baroda," I don t mind your staying in this house as long as you like, and we’ll look after you too, with pleasure, but let me tell you, once for all, that we can t have you keeping your idol hero.”
. Harimobini had spent all her days in a village, and her idea of the Brahmos was that they were merely a sect ot Christians. How far one could safely associate with them had been the only problem of which she was aware in their connection. That they also might not care to associate with her was a view which had now graduaUy been borne in on her and had lately set her thinking what ought to be done in the circumstances.,...
Mistress Baroda’s plain speech made it clear that it would not do to go on thinking much longer, but that a decision had become immediately necessary. At first she thought of moving to some other lodgings in Calcutta, so that she could still occasionally see her Sucharita and her Satish; but then she pondered, would her slender resources be enough to meet the cost of living in Calcutta?
GORA CHAP.
When, like a sudden storm, Mistress Baroda had come and gone, Binoy sat still a while with bowed head.
Then Harimohini broke the silence saying: “lam thinking of going on a pilgrimage. Could any of you accompany mo on the journey, my son? ” “ I should be only too glad to take you along,” replied Binoy. “ But it will be some days before wo can get ready to start, so in the meantime will you not come and stay with my mother? ” “ You little know*, child,” said Harimohini, “ what a burden I am. God has placed such a heavy load on my shoulders that no one can bear me. When I saw that the burden of my Erescncc had become unbearable even in my own husband’s omc, I ought to have understood! But this understanding eomes with such difficulty to me. I have been wandering about all this time trying to fill the emptiness in my heart and, wherever I have been, I have carried my misfortunes with me. No more of it, my son, let me be. Why invade again sorao- body clsc’s house? Let me at last take shelter at the feet of Him who bears the burden of the whole world. I cannot struggle any more,” and as she spoke, Harimohini wiped her eyes again and again.
“ No, no. Auntie," said Binoy, “ I cannot allow you to sav that. You cannot possibly compare my mother with any¬ one else at all! One who has been able to dedicate all the burdens of life to God never feels it too much to carry another’s sorrow. Such a one is my mother, and such also is Parcsh Babu here. No, I won't hear of it. Let me first take you to my own place of pilgrimage, and then I will accompany you to yours.”
“ But,” said Harimohini, “ surely we must inform them that we - ” “ Our arrival will be information enough,” interrupted Binoy, “ iu fact the best of information! ” “ Then, to-morrow morning - ” began Harimohini, but Binoy interrupted her again: “ Why to-morrow — better to-night! ” Sucharita now came to call Binoy saying: “ Mother sent me to tell you that it is time for the service.”
“ I am afraid I can’t attend it now. I’ve something I want to talk over with Auntie,” said Binoy. The fact was that, after what had happened, Binpy did not feci like accepting Baroda’s invitation any more. It all seemed such a mockery to him.
3L1II GORA But Harimohini became agitated and urged him to go, saying: “ You can talk to me afterwards. Finish with the memorial ceremony first and then come back to me.”
“ It would be better for you to come, I think,” added Sucharita.
Binoy understood that if he did not attend the service he would oi ly be assisting the revolution, which had already .begun in that household, to come to a head. So he went to the room prepared for the ceremony. But his complaisance •did not fully serve its purpose.
Refreshments were handed round after tho service, but Binoy excused himself saying: “ I am afraid I have no .appetite.”
“ Small blame to your appetite, when you ve just been having all kinds of dainties upstairs,” sneered Barotla.
Binoy laughingly admitted tho charge. “ That’s the fate of greedy people! ” he said. “ They lose the future by yielding rto the temptation of the present.”
With this he was preparing to leave, when Baroda asked him: “ Going upstairs again, I suppose? ” -■% - Binoy answered with a brief “ Yes,” and went out of the croom, saying to Sucharita in a whisper, as he passed the door: “ l)idi, come and see Auntie for a moment. She has special meed of you.”
Lolita was engaged in serving the guests, and at a moment when she was passing near Haran he remarked apropos of nothing: “ Binov Babu is not here, he has gone upstairs.”
Lolita stopped in front of him and, looking him full in the .face, said cuttingly: “ I know that. But lie won’t depart -without saying good-bye to me. Besides, I’ll be goin^ upstairs, :too, as soon as I have finished with my duties here.”
It had not escaped Haran that Binoy had said something <o Sucharita and that she had almost immediately followed him ■out of the room. He had just before made more than one unsuccessful attempt to draw Sucharita into conversation, and her avoidance of his overtures had been so conspicuous before All the assembled Brahmos, that he had felt thoroughly insulted. His suppressed feelings became more bitter than ever when he ithus failed to bring Lolita to a due sense of her delinquency.
When Sucharita came upstairs she found that Haninohitn •was sitting with all her belongings packed up, as if she was Heaving immediately, and she asked her aunt what the matter WaHarimohiui was unable to make any reply and began to GORA CHAP:.
weep. “ Where is Satish? ” she said at length. “ Ask him» to come and see me for a moment, little mother, will you? ” Sucharita looked in perplexity at Binov, who said: “ It Auntie stays in this house, it will only make it awkward all' round, so 1 am taking her away to my mother’s.”
“ I am thinking of going on to some place of pilgrimage from there,” added Harimohini. “ It’s not right for peoph- like me to stop in any one’s home. Why should other people- be saddled witli me always? ” This was just what Sucharita had been thinking about,, all these days, and she also had come to the conclusion that it could mean nothing but insult for her aunt to stay on. So- she could make no reply, and simply went and sat down beside Harimohini without speaking. It was already dark, but the lamps had not been lighted. The stars shone dimly through the misty autumn sky, and in the darkness it could not bo- seen which of them were weeping.
Suddenly the sound of Satish ’s slirill voice calling “ Auntie 1 Auntie! ” could be heard from the stairs, and Harimohini got- up hurriedly.
To-morrow morning we shall see about it. How can you run away like this without taking leave of father properly £ How hurt he would feci! ” Binoy, in his excitement at the insult offered to Harimohini by Mistress Baroda, had not thought of this. He had felt it would not do for her to stay even one more night under that, roof, and he wanted to show Baroda that she need not think that Harimohini would have to endure her insults helplessly,, because she had nowhere else to go to. So his one anxiety- had been to get her away from there as quickly as possible.
At Sucharita’s words it struck him that Harimohini’s relations with the Mistress were not the only ones that mattered in this home, — that it would not do to put more stress on the- insult received from her than on the hospitulity so generously and affectionately offered by the Master of the house, so lie- said: “ That is quite true. You can’t go without saying: good-bye to Paresh Babu.”
Satish here came in shouting, “ Auntie, do you know that the Russians are going to invade India? Won’t it be fun? ”’ “ And which side will you be on? ” asked Binoy.
“ I am with the Russians! ” said Satish.
“ Ah, then they need have no further anxiety,” smiled Binoy.
XLIV GORA I As soon as she saw that the crisis had passed, and Binoy was himself again, Sucharita left them and slipped back down¬ stairs.
CHAPTER XLIV Paresh Badu was sitting alone in his little room, before going- to bed, reading a volume of Emerson near the lighted lamp, and when Sucharita came in and gently drew a chair up close to him, he laid down his book and looked in her face.
Sucharita could not mention the purpose for which she had. come. She felt quite unable to bring up any worldly matter.
She said merely: “ Father, do road to me a little.”
Paresh Babu went on reading and explaining to her until- it was ten o’clock. After the reading Sucharita again did not feel like talking about any troublesome subject, which might disturb her father’s rest, so she was about to retire to her own room, when Paresh Babu called her back and said: “ ^ou came to speak about your Auntie, didn’t you? ”.'«*» „ Sucharita was astonished that he had been able to guess - t what was on her mind and said: “ Yes, father, but don’t. \ trouble about that to-night. We can talk about it to-morrow.”
But Paresh Babu made her sit down and said: “ It has- not escaped me that your aunt is finding it inconvenient here.
I did not realise before how strongly her religious beliefs an<L customs would clash with your mother’s habits and ideas.
Now that I sec how it distresses her, I feel sure your aunt,., too, cannot help feeling uncomfortable about it.”
“ Auntie has already made ready to leave,” said Sucharita..
*. “ I knew that she would want to do that,” said Paresh- Babu, “ but I know too that, as her only relatives, you can¬ not possibly let her go homeless. So I’ve been thinking over- the matter for some time.”
Sucharita had never guessed that Paresh Babu had dis¬ covered the awkward position in which her aunt had becn. placcd and was actually engaged in thinking it out. She had. been very circumspect all this time, fearing lest the discovery should give him pain, and when she heard him speak in this - wav her eyes brimmed over with thankfulness.
“ I have just thought of a suitable house for her,” Paresh..
Babu went on.
“ But, I am afraid, she— she - ” stammered Sucharita.
“ She won’t be able to afford the rent, you mean? Buti •214 GORA chap.
why should she? You're not going to charge her rent, are Sucharita looked at him in speechless wonder, and ho laughed as he went on: “ Let her live in your own house, and then she won’t have to pay any rent.”
This only served to mystify Sucharita still more, until Paresh Bnbu explained: “ Don't you know that you have two houses in Calcutta? One is yours, and the other belongs to Satish. When your father died lie loft some money in my •care, and I lent it out at interest, and when it increased sufficiently I invested it in buying two houses in town. All these years X have been getting rent for them, which I havo •also laid by. The tenant of your house loft a short time ago And, as it is now vacant, there will be nothing to inconvenience your aunt.”
“ But will she be able to live there all by herself? ” asked Sucharita.
“ While she has you, her own relative, why should she bo alone 1 ” said Paresh Babu.
“ This 'was just what I came to speak to you about to- • night,” exclaimed Sucharita. “ Auntie has already decided -on leaving this house and I was wondering how I could let her go alone. I wanted to ask you, and will do exactly as you tell me to.”
“ You know the lane that runs by the side of our house? ” -observed Paresh Babu. “ Well, your house is only three doors away down that lane. You cau even see it from our verandah. .If you are living there you won't feel deserted, for we can see you as often as if you were in the same house.”
Sucharita felt an immense weight lifted from her mind, for the thought of having to leave Paresh Babu was unbearable •to her, though she had begun to feel certain that her duty • would compel her to do so very soou.
With a heart too full for words, Sucharita remained sitting beside Paresh Babu, who also sat rapt in his own thoughts. Sucharita was his pupil, his daughter, his friend. She had become a part of bis very life. Without her even his worship ■of God seemed incomplete. On the days when Sucharita •came and joined him at his meditation it seemed to him that his devotions were more fruitful, and that as his tender affec¬ tion sought to lift her thoughts towards the Good, his own ’life too was uplifted.
None of the others had ever come to him with such devotion and -such single-hearted humility as did Sucharita. Just as XLIV GORA a flower looks towards the sky, so her whole nature turned towards him and opened into blossom. Such devoted claim cannot but evoke a corresponding response, making the full heart bend to shower its gifts like a rain-laden cloud.
What could be a more wonderful opportunity than thus to be able daily to give of one’s best and truest to one whose soul was open to receive. Such opportunity Sucharita had bestowed on Paresh Babu and therefore it was that his relationship with her was so deep.
Now the time had arrived for the severance of their out¬ ward connection. The parent tree had ripened the fruit with its own life-sap and now must free it to drop off. The secret pain at his heart Paresh Babu was now offering to the Dweller within.
He had been noticing for some time that the call to live her own life had come to Sucharita. He was sure that she had put by ample provision for her pilgrimage, and with it she must now fare forth on the high road of the world, to gain new experience from its joys and sorrows, from the trials she would suffer and the endeavours she would make.
Go forth, my child, he was saying in his heart. It can never be that you are to remain overshadowed for ever by my guidance, or even my watchful care. God will free you from me and draw you through every kind of experience towards your final destiny, — may your life have its fulfilment in Him. And thus he dedicated to God, as a sacred offering, the Sucharita whom he had tended from childhood with all the wealth of his affection.
Paresh Babu had not allowed himself to entertain any feelings of annoyance with Mistress Baroda, nor to harbour any resentment at these differences within his own family circle. He knew quite well that when the freshet suddenly begins to course through tbo old narrow channel, a turbulent flood arises, and that the only remedy is to let the water find its freedom over the broad fields. He could see how the grooves of tradition and habit in the life of his family had been dis¬ turbed by the unforeseen happenings which had centred round Sucharita, and that peace could only be gained by freeing her from all trammels and allowing her to find her o vn true relations with the outside world. And so he had been quietly j making preparations for giving her such freedom to live her * own life in harmony.
They both sat without speaking till the clock struck eleven, when Paresh Babu rose, and taluug Sucharita’s hand in his.
GORA CHAP.
drew her on to the verandah. The stars were shining in a sky which was now free from cloud, and, with Sucharita standing- beside him, Paresh Babu prayed in the quietness of the night: “ Deliver us from all that is untrue and let the True shed its- pure radiance over our lives.”
CHAPTER XLV Next morning when Harimohini, on taking her leave of Paresh Babu, made to him the obeisance due to an elder, ho hurriedly withdrew his feet from her touch. “ Don’t do thut to me! ” lie exclaimed, greatly embarrassed.
Harimohini said with tears in her eyes: “ I shall never* in this or any other lift;, be quit of my obligation to you. You have made life possible, even for an unfortunate creature- like me, — no one else could have done it, — not even if they had wished to. But God is kind to you and that is why you are- able to rescue even me.”
Paresh Babu became quite distressed. “ I have not done- anything out of the ordinary,” he muttered. “ All this is- Sucharita’s - ” But Harimohini would not allow him to finish. “ I know, I know,” she said, “ but Radharani herself is yours, — whatever she does is your doing. When her mother died, and then she also lost her father, I thought she was doomed to be un¬ fortunate — how could I know that God would bless her in her misfortunes? When, after all my wanderings, I at length arrived here, and got to know you, then I understood that God could have pity even fer me.”
At this moment Binoy came in and announced: “ Auntie, mother has come to fetch you.”
“ Where is she? ” exclaimed Sucharita, rising all in a flurry.
“ Down below with your mother,” answered Binoy, where¬ upon Sucharita hurried awav downstairs.
Paresh Babu said to Harimohini: “ Let me go in advance and put your new home in order for you.”
When he had gone, Binoy said in astonishment: “ Auntie, I never heard of your having a house! ” “ I too never heard of it, my child, till to-day,” said Hari- raohini. “ It was known only to Paresh Babu. It seems >S belongs to Radharani.”
3CI.V GORA.
When Binoy had heard all about it he said: “ I had thought that at last Binoy was going to be of some use in the world to some one, but I see that I am to be deprived of that pleasure. Up to now I have never been able to do anything, even for mother, — it is she who has always been doing things for me. For my auntie too, 1 can do nothing, it seems, but must be ■content to receive her kindness. My fate is to accept, I see, mot to give! ” After a little Anandamoyi arrived escorted by Lolita and Suoharita. Harimohini came forward to greet her, saying: “ When God bestows his favours, lie is not miserly about it. Didi, to-day I have got you for my own, too,” and with these words she took Anandamoyi’s hand and made her sit down beside her.
“ Didi,” continued Harimohini, “ Binoy can talk about nothing but you! ” “ That has been a way of his from childhood,” answered Anandamoyi with a smile; “ when once lie is interested in ■a subject he can never leave it alone. It will soon be his aunt’s turn, I can assuro you.”
“ Quite true! ” exclaimed Binoy. “ So be warned before¬ hand! I have got my auntie late in life, and self-acquired, too! Since I’ve been cheated of her for all these years, I must make the most of her now! ” Anandamoyi, looking towards Lolita, said with a meauing smile: “ Our Binoy not only knows how to get what he wants, but he also has the art of taking good care of what he gets! Don’t I know how he values all of you like some undreamt of 4»ood fortune? I cannot tell you how happy I am that he should have come to know your people — it has made a different man of him, and he knows it! ” Lolita tried to make some reply to this, but she was at a doss for words, and became so confused that Sucharita had to come to her rescue with: “ Binoy can see the good in every ■one, and so earns the right to enjoy the best side of his friends; that’s due to his own merit, mostly.”
“ Mother,” interposed Binoy, “ the world docs not look on your Binoy as quite the interesting creature to deserve all your harping on him! I have often wanted to make this clear to you, but my vanity has stood in the way. At last I feel I cannot keep this damaging revelation back any longer. Now, mother, let us change the subject.”
At this juncture Satisn came up with his new puppy, his latest acquisition, in his arms. On seeing what he carried GOltA Oil A l*.
Hariraohini shrank back in dismay, entreating him: “ Satish, my dear, please take that dog away. Do, there’s a darling.”
“ It will not hurt you, Auntie,” expostulated Satish. “ It won’t even go into your room. It will be quite quiet if you will just pet it a little.”
Harimohini moved farther and farther away from the untouchable animal, as she kept imploring him: “ No, my dear, for goodness’ sake take it away! ” Then Anandamoyi drew Satish towards her, dog and all, and taking the puppy in her lap, said: “ So you are Satish, are you, our Binoy's friend? ” Satish saw nothing unreasonable in being called a friend of Binoy’s and said “ yc3 ” without the least diffidence. Ho then stood staring at Anandamoyi, who explained to him that she was Binoy’s mother.
Sucharita admonished her brother saying: “ Mr. Chatter¬ box, make your pronam to mother,” whereupon Satish made a shamefaced attempt at an obeisance.
Meanwhile Mistress Baroda arrived on the scene and, without taking the least notice of Harimohini, asked Ananda- moyi whether she could offer her any refreshment, “ I have no scruples about what I cat,” replied the latter, “ but I won’t have anything now, thank you. Let Gora come back and then we’ll honour your hospitality, if we may.” For Anandamoyi.did not like to do anything, which might be contrary to Gora’s wishes, in his absence.
Baroda then looked towards Binoy and said: “ Oh 1 Binoy Babu, so you are here, too, I was not aware that you had come! ” “ I was just going to let you know that I’m here, with a vengeance! ” answered Binoy.
*°Well, you gave us the slip yesterday, though an invited guest! What do you say to joining us at breakfast without an invitation? ” “ That only makes it all the more inviting,” said Binoy. “ A tip is always more jolly than the usual wages.”
Harimohini was astonished at this conversation. Evidently, then, Binoy was in the habit of taking meals in this house, and over and above that, here was Anandamoyi too, who seemed to have no scruples about her caste. She was far from pleased at all this.
When Baroda had left the room, she ventured to ask diffidently: “ Didi, isn’t your husband—? ” “ My husband is a strict Hindu,” replied Anandamoyi.
XLVI GOKA Harimohini was altogether puzzled, and showed it. so plainly that Anandamovi had to cxplaiu: “ Sister, so long ao society seemed to me the most important thing in the world. I used to respect its rules, but one day God revealed Himself to mo in such a way that He would not allow me to regard society any more. Since He Himself took away my caste, I have ceased to fear what others may think of me.”
“ And what of your husband? ” asked Harimohini, none the wiser for this explanation.
“ My husband does not like it,” said-Anandamoyi.
“ And your children? ” “ They too arc not pleased. But is my life given to merely to please husband and children? Sister, this matter is not ono which can well be explained to others. He alone- understands who knows all! ” with which Anandaraoyi joined her hands in silent salutation.
Harimohini thought that perhaps some missionary lady had seduced her towards Christianity,, and she felt at heart a great shrinking from her.
CHAPTER XLVI Labonya, Lolita and Lila would not leave Suoharita for a.* moment. And though they helped her to arrange her new home with a great show of enthusiasm, it was an enthusiasm which served only to veil their tears.
All these years Sucharita, on various- pretexts,, had every day been doing some little service or other for Parcsh Babu, arranging flowers in his room, keeping his books and papers in order, airing his clothes with her own hands, and. when his bath was ready, coming to remind him about it. Neither of’ them had ever looked on these little things as anything special.
But now that the time was fast approaching when they would come to a stop, though the same little things could as well be done by others, or even left undone, tho • difference that this would make kept gnawing at the hearts of both.
Whenever Sucharita nowadays carac into Paresh BabuV room, every little thing she did would assume immense pro¬ portions for both of them. Some oppression at his heart would bring forth a sigh, some pain in hers would. make her- eyes brim over.
On the day on which it was settled that Sucharita was to.
•220 GORA chap.
move into her new house after the mid-day meal, Paresh Babu, when he went to his room for his morning meditation, found flowers already arranged before his seat and Sucharita waiting for him. Labonya and Lila had thought of all having their prayers together that morning, but Lolita had dissuaded them, knowing how much it meant to Sucharita to be allowed to share their father’s devotions, and that she must be specially feeling the need of his blessing to-day. Lolita did not want the presence of others to disturb the intimacy of the com¬ munion of these two..
When at the close of their prayers Sucharita s tears over¬ flowed, Paresh Babu said: “ Bo not be looking back, my child. Have no hesitations, but face bravely whatever fate may have in store for you. Go forward rejoicing, ready with all your strength to choose the Good from whatever may come before you. Surrender yourself fully to God, accepting .Him as your only help, and then, even in the midst of loss and • error, you will be able to follow the path of tho Best. But if you remain divided, offering part of yourself to God and part . elsewhere, then everything will become difficult. May God so deal with you that you will no longer have any need of the little help we can give you.”
When they came out of the prayer-room, they found iiaran waiting for them, and Sucharita, unwilling to-day to harbour . any feelings of resentment, greeted him with gentle cordiality.
Haran at once sat bolt upright in his chair and said in a solemn voice: “ Sucharita, chis day of your backsliding from the truth which you have so long professed is indeed a day of .mourning -for us.” •..
Sucharita made no answer, but the discordant note jarred • on the harmony which had filled her mind.
“ Only one’s own conscience can tell who is advancing and ■who is backsliding,” remarked Paresh Babu. “Wo often needlessly exercise ourselves, misjudging things from tho “ Do you mean to say that you have no misgivings for tho .future?” asked Haran,— “and no cause of repentance for “ Panu Babu,” replied Paresh Babu, “ I never give place ■to imaginary fears in my mind, and as to whether anything has happened to cause repentance, that I shall know when ■ repentance comes."
“ Is it all imaginary that your daughter, Lolita, came away •alone on the steamer with Binoy Babu? ” persisted Haran.
XL VI GORA Sucharita flushed and Paresh Babu replied: “ You seem to be labouring under some excitement, Panu Babu, and it would uot be doing you justice to ask you to discuss these matters in this frame of mind."