“ There is not the least ground for your fears,” interrupted Parcsh Babu without a moment's hesitation. He loved truth so greatly that lie even confessed: “ I have heard from Sucharita that Lolita is not averse to you.”
A flash of jov shot through Binoy’s heart on hearing that this secret of Lolita’s inner soul had been revealed to Suclmrita. He wondered when and how she had spoken of it. An intense and mysterious joy thrilled his heart at the thought that ho had been an object of intimate talk between those two friends. He at once said: “ If you think me worthy of her, then nothing could be a matter of more intense happiness to me.”
“ Just wait a little,” said Paresh Babu. “ Let me go upstairs and see my wife.”
On going to ask Bordashundari her opinion, she urged: “ Binoy will have to be initiated in the Brahmo Samaj.”
“ That goes without saying,” answered Parcsh Babu.
“ We must first settle that,” said Bordashundari, “ so send for Binoy.”
“ Then we must settle a day for the initiation ceremony,” said Bordashundari without further preamble, as soon as Binoy had come.
“ Is initiation absolutely essential? ” asked Binoy hesitat- ingly.
“ Absolutely essential indeed! ” exclaimed Bordashundari. “ What do you mean? How else can you marry into a Brail mo family? ” Binoy hung his heud without answering. So it seemed that Paresh Babu, ou hearing that he wanted to marry his daughter, had taken it for granted that he would naturally euter the Brahmo Samaj.
“ I have the greatest respect for the Brahmo Samaj,” he faltered. “ and up to now there has been nothing in my con¬ duct which is contrary to its teaching. But is it absolutely necessary for me to become a member? ” “ If your opinions arc in harmony with ours, then what harm is there in being initiated? ” asked Bordashundari.
“ It is impossible for a)n to say that Hindu society means nothing to me," explained Binoy.
GORA CHAP.
" Then it was wrong of you ever to raise this question, complained Bordashundari. “ Have you shown yourself ready to marry our daughter just out of pity for us or to do us good ‘ This was a great blow to Binoy, for he saw that his proposal reallv did seem to be insulting to them.
Just about a year before, the new Law of Civil Marriage had been passed, and at that time both he and Gora had written very strongly against it in the papers. It was therefore difficult for Binoy now to declare that he was not a Hindu and marry according to the Civil Marriage Law.
He saw now that Parcsh Babu could not be expected to approve of the idea of his marrying Lolita while still remaining a Hindu, so heaving a sigh he stood up to go, and making his obeisance to both of them, said apologetically: "Please forgive me, I will not say more to aggravate my fault, and with that he left the room. As he was going downstairs ho saw Lolita seated alone at a small desk in the corner of the verandah writing letters. At the sound of his footsteps she looked up, and for a moment gazed at him with an agitated exnrcssion. Lolita's acquaintanceship with Binoy was not recent— how often had she looked in his face, but to-day there seemed to be some mysterious secret expressed in her glance. That secret of Lolita’s thoughts, known only to Suchanta, was to-day revealed to Binoy in the shadow of her dark eyelashes, and the tenderness of her glance was like a cloud laden with the coming coolness of rain. In the momentary glance which Binoy gave her in return her heart felt a sudden flash of pain. Without speaking a word he bowed to Lolita and went on down the stairs.
CHAPTER LVI Wiien Gora came out of gaol he found Parcsh Babu and Binoy waiting for him at the gate.
A month is by no means a long time. When Gora had been on his walking tour he had been separated from his friends and relations for more than that, but when, after his one month’s separation in prison, he came out and saw Binoy and Paresh Babu, he felt as if he lmd been born again into the familiar world of his old friends. When he saw, in the early morning light, the gentle aficction on Paresh Babu’s peaceful face, he bowed dowr and took the dust of his feet with a joy GORA LVI of devotion such as he had never felt before. Paresh Jiabu embraced the two friends, and then Gora seized Binoy’s hand and exclaimed with a laugh: “ Binoy, from our school days we have taken all our education together, but I have stolen a march on you by taking instruction in this school of studies! ” As Binoy did not feel in a mood to join in his mirth he was silent. He felt that his friend had come out, having passed chrough the mysterious hardships of gaol life, more his friend than over! He maintained an almost rcvcrcut and solemn silence until Gora nsked: “ IIow is mother? ” “ Mother is well,” answered Binoy.
“ Come ulong, my friend,” called Paresh Babu, “ a carriage is waiting for you.”
Just us they were about to get into the carriage Abinash came running up, panting, with a group of students behind him.
On seeing him, Gora hurried to take his seat, but Abinash was too quick for him and stood in his way, requesting him to stand there for a moment.
As he was making the request the students began to sing in loud voices: “ To-day, after the dark night of sorrow.
Dawn has come!
The bonds of subjection aro shattered Dawn has come! ” " Be quiet! ” shouted Gora, his face becoming scarlet. The students at once stopped singing and looked at him in sur¬ prise as he went on: “ Abinash, what's all this to-do about? ” Abinash, without answering, brought out from under his shawl a thick garland carefully wrapped in a plantain leaf, while a young boy began to read an address in a high-pitched voice, at a speed like that of an organ which has been wound up. It was printed in letters of gold and the subject was Gora’s release from gaol...
Rejecting Abinash’s proffered garland, Gora exclaimed in a voice full of anger: “What’s all this pantomime about? Have you been making preparations all this month for dressing me up as a member of your troupe by the side of the road here? ” As a matter of fact Abinash had been, planning this for a long time. lie had thought that it would make a great impression, and had not taken Binoy into his counsels, as lie was covetous of the kudos which he felt sure such an unusual performance would bring. For at the time of which we speak such forms of nuisance had not become common. Abinash GORA CHAP.
had even written a description of the scene for the papers and had only left one or two details to be filled in on his return to Calcutta beforo sending it to the Press.
“ It is wrong of you to speak like that,” protested Abinash. ■“ The fact is that we have been sharing your sufferings while you have been in prison. Our ribs have been scorched by a steady fire of heartfelt pain during every moment of this past “ You are mistaken, Abinash,” observed Gora. “ If only you look closely enough you will see that tho fire lias not even been kindled, and that no irreparable injury has been done to 'V° But Abinash was not to be squashed, and persisted: “ The Government lias tried to disgrace you, but to-day, as repre¬ sentatives of the Motherland India, we place this garland of honour - ” “ This is getting beyond a joke! ” expostulated Gora, and pushing Abinash and his followers to one side he turned to Paresh Babu and invited him to get. into the carriage.
Parcsh Babu heaved a sigh of relief as he took his scat, and Gora and Binoy followed him without delay.
Gora reached home next morning, having made the journey to Calcutta by steamer, and found a crowd waiting to do him honour outside his house. Managing somehow to free himself from their clutches he went in to see Anandamoyi. She had taken her bath carlv that morning and was ready waiting for him, and when Gora came in and touched her feet, she could not keep back the tears which all these days she had managed to control.
When Krishnadayal returned from his bath m the Ganges Gora went to sec him, but he made his pronams from a distance and did not touch his feet. Krishnadayal having taken his seat at a safe distance, Gora said: “ l-’athcr, I want to do penance.”
“ I don’t see any need for that,” answered Krishnadayal.
“I did not feel any hardship in gaol,” explained Gora, ** except that I found it impossible to keep myself from contamination. I don’t feel free from self-reproach even now. That’s why I must do ceremonial penance.”
“ No, no! ” cried Krishnadayal in dismay. “ There’s no need for you to exaggerate so much. I can’t give my approval to such a course."
“ All right then,” said Gora, “ let me tako the opinion of the pandits on the subject.”
CORA tvi “ You needn’t consult any pandit,” objected Krishnadayal. 41 1 can give you an assurance that no penance will be necessary in your case.”
Gora had never yet been able to comprehend why a man, who was so particular with regard to ceremonial cleanliness as Krishnadayal was, never liked any kind of rule or restraint to apply to Gora — and not ody did not wish to give his assent but positively opposed any attempt of Gora’s jn the direction of orthodox observances.
Annndamovi had to-day placed Binoy’s seat for the meal beside Gora’s, 'but Gora expostulated: “’Mother, please move Binoy’s seat a little farther off! ” “ Why, what is wrong with Binoy! ” exclaimed Ananda- moyi in surprise.
“ There’s nothing wrong with Binoy," answered Gora, 41 the fault lies with me. I am contaminated.”
“ No matter,” answered Anandamoyi, “ Binoy is not one to care about that sort of thing*.”
“ Binoy may not care, but I do,” said Gora.
When, after their meal, the two friends went upstairs to the deserted room on the top storey they were at a loss what to say. Binoy could not think how he could broach to Gora the subject which had been uppermost in his own mind for the past month. Questions about Parcsh Babu’s family also occurred to Gora’s mind, but he did not mention them, waiting for Binoy to in¬ troduce the subject. It is true that he had asked after his daughters from Paresh Babu, but that was merely for the sake of politeness. His mind was eager to hear much more detailed news of them than merely that they were well.
: At this juncture Mohim came into tiro room and sat down, panting with the exertion of climbing the stairs. As soon as he had recovered his breath he said: “ Binoy, we have been waiting all this time for Gora. Now that he has come there’s no need for further delay. Let us decide the day at once. What do you say, Gora? You know to what I refer of course? ” Gora answered with a laugh, and Mohim continued: “ You laugh, do you? You are thinking that your Dada hasn’t yet forgotten about that! But let me tell you that a daughter is no dream — I am beginning to see that she is a very real object — one that you can’t easily forget! Don’t laugh about it, Gora, this time we must settle it finally.”
“ The man is present upon whom everything depends for a settlement 1 ” exclaimed Gora.
“ Oh, Hell! ” protested Mohim. “ Do you expect anything 264 GORA ceapto be settled by a man who is 60 unsettled himself? Now that you have come you must shoulder the burden.’
To-day Binoy maintained a solemn silence, even on the pretest of a jest at his own expense he did not try to say any¬ thing, and Gora, realising that there was some hitch some¬ where, observed: “ I can take charge of issuing the invitations,, and even of ordering cakes and sweetmeats. I am even ready to give my services at the time of the wedding feast, but it is beyond me to take the responsibility for Binoy marrying your daughter. I myself am not on intimate terms with the one who is responsible for all this business of love— 1 keep at a safe distance and make my obeisances from afar."
“ Don’t for a moment imagine that because you keep at a. distance he will spare you,” suid Moliim. “ There’s no telling when you will receive a surprise visit from him. I have no- idea what his plans are with regard to you, but I know that with regard to Biuoy he is making a fine mess. Let me tell you that you will have cause to repent it if you do not yourself become active in the matter instead of leaving it all to Cupid.
“ 1 am quite willing to repent for not accepting a responsi¬ bility which is not mine,” laughed Gora, “ for I should have to- repent even more bitterly if I did accept it. I want to bo saved from such a fate.”
“ Will you stand by and see a Brahmin boy squandering his honour, his caste, and his respectability without protest? ” inquired Moliim. " You give up your food and sleep in your anxiety to keep people good Hindus, and now your best friend is about to sacrifice his caste and marry into a Brahmo family, and you will not be able to show your face before people again. Binoy, I suppose you will be angry with me, but there are plenty of people who are ready to say all this to Gora behind your back, in fact they are falling over one another in their eagerness. 1 at least say it in your presence, and that is good for all parties concerned. If the rumour is false, then say so and the matter ends there, but if it is true, then settle it once for all.”
When Mohim had left them Binoy did not speak a word, but Gora turned to him, and asked: “ Why, Binoy, what’e all this about? ” “ It is difficult,” began Binoy, “ to explain everything properly by referring to only a few items of news, sc I had decided that I would tell you the whole story gradually, but in this world nothing happens in the way we want it to — events seem first of all to go about silently, prowling like tigers hunting for their prey, and then, suddenly, without any warning, they • LVI GORA have pounced on one’s neck. News too seems at first to remain smothered like a fire, and then suddenly it bursts out into a blaze and there is no putting it out. For this reason I some¬ times think the only way for man to be free is for him to remain absolutely stationary.”
“ Where is the freedom if only you yourself remain station¬ ary? ” asked Gora, laughing. “ If the rest of the world sees fit to remain moving, why should it allow you to be still? In fact just the opposite effect will be produced, for when the world is at work and you alone remain idle you will only find yourself cheated. Therefore you must be on the look-out that your attention is not distracted, lest while everything else is moving you find that you yourself are not ready.”
“ That is true enough,” assented Binoy, “ I’m never ready 1 This time too I was unprepared. I never understand from what direction something will take place, but when once it has happened then one must surely accept responsibility for it. It won’t do to dissent from something unpleasant because it would havo been better if it had never happened at all.”
“ Without knowiug what has happened I find it difficult to discuss the matter,” observed Gora.
Bracing himself for the confession Binoy began: “ Through unavoidable circumstances I was placed in such a position with reference to Lolita that unless I marry her she will have to endure unfounded reproaches from her society for the rest of her life.”
“ Let mo hear more definitely what kind of a position you were placed in,” interposed Gora.
“ That’s a long story,” answered Binoy. " I’ll tell you every¬ thing by degrees; in the meantime you must be content with what I have told you.”
“ All right,” said Gora, “ I’m content. I have only this to say, that if the circumstances were unavoidable then all regret for the result is also unavoidable. If Lolita has to bear insult from her society then it can’t be helped.”
“ But,” expostulated Binoy, “ the means of preventing that are in my hands I ” “ If that is so, then it’s a good thing,” remarked Gora. “ But you can’t make it so simple by stating the fact vocifer¬ ously. When men arc in need it is in their power to steal and murder, but does that fact make such acts right? You say that yon want to do your duty to Lolita by marrying her, but are you sure that it is your highest duty? Have you no duty to society? ” Binoy did not answer that he had decided against marrying GORA CHAPinto a Brahmo family because he had remembered his duty to society, instead of that he began to argue hotly, saying: “ In this matter I don’t think that you and I will agree. I am not speaking against society because of an attraction for an individual. " What I contend is that there is something above both society and the individual to which we ought to look, and that is religion. Just as it is not my chief duty to save the individual, neither is it my chief duty to save society, my highest duty being to preserve the one and only religion.”
“ I can’t respect a religion,” expostulated Gora, “ which denies the rights of the individual and of society and claims everything for itself.”
“ But I can! ” exclaimed Binoy, his mettle up. " Religion is not built up on the foundations of society and the individual, it is society and the individual which depend on religion. If you once begin to call that religion which society happens to want, then society itself will be ruined; if society puts any obstacles in the way of a. right religious freedom, then by sur¬ mounting such unreasonable obstructions we arc doing our duty to society. If it is not wrong for me to marry Lolita, if indeed I ought to do so, then it would be actually irreligious for me to be deterred from doing so merely because it happened to be unfavourable to society.”
“ Are you to be the sole judge of what is right and wrong? ” asked Gora. “ Will you not consider what sort of a position you will be placing your children in by such a marriacc? ” “ If you once begin to think like that,” urged Binoy, “ then you will be making all social injustices permanent. Why then do you blame the poor clerk who continually puts up with insults and kicks from his European master? He also is thinking of the position of his children, isn’t he? ” Binoy had come to a point in his argument with Gora which he had never reached before. Only a few weeks before he would have shrunk with all his being from the very possibility of any severance from society. On this subject he had not ventured to argue even to himself, and if the matter had not been discussed by Gora like this things would have taken quite the opposite direction, in conformity with the long- established habits of Binoy’s mind. But as the argument went on, his inclination, supported by his own sense of duty, became stronger and stronger.
The discussion with Gora raged hot and fierce. In this kind of argument Gora did not usually appeal to reason — he simply expressed his views with a violence which few people GORA LYI coald equal. To-day too he tried his best to shatter into dust every argument brought forward by Binoy, but on this occasion he discovered that there were obstacles in his way. So long as there had been only a question of Gora’s opinion as against Binov’s, Gora had invariably been victorious— but to-day two- real men were opposed to each other; Gora was no longer able to ward off wordy arrows by his own stock of verbal weapons, for wherever an arrow touched him it found a human heart sensitive and full of pain.
Finally Gora exclaimed: “ I don’t want to bandy words with you, for there is not much in this which is worth arguing about, it is more a matter for the heart to understand. But that you should want to separate yourself from the people of your own country, by marrying a Bralnno girl, is a matter of intense pain to me personally. You may be able to do such a thing, but I never could — that's where you and I differ — it is neither in wisdom nor in intelligence. It is your affections that arc turned in a different direction from mine. You can hardly be expected to feel for society when you want to deal it such a stab, just where I feel the throb of life. What I want is India.no matter how you may find fault with her or how much you may abuse her. I don’t want any one greater than her, whether myself or another! I do not wish to do the least thing which might separate me from her even by a hair's breadth! ’’ And before Binoy could get out his answer Gora cried: “ No, Binoy, it is futile to argue with me about this! When the whole world has forsaken India and heaps insults upon her, I for my part wish to share her seat of dishonour — this caste- ridden, this superstitious, this idolatrous India of mine! If you want to separate yourself from her then you must separate yourself from me also.”
Gora got up and, going out on to the verandah, began to pace up and down, while Binoy remained sitting in silence, till the servant came and announced that a crowd of people was waiting tb see Gora outside, and Gora, glad of the opportunity for escape, went downstairs.
On going outside he saw that amongst a crowd of others was Abinasn. Gora had made up his mind that Abinash was angry with him, but there was not the least sign of anger in him at present. In fact he began to make a speech praising, m exaggerated language, the incident of Gora’s refusal to accept the garland the previous day. He declared before all: “ My respect for Gourmohan Babu has increased greatly. I had known for a long time that he was an uncommon man, GORA CHAP.
but yesterday I discovered that he is a great personage. We went vesterday to show him honour, but he rejected the honour in a manner that you would find few people showing nowadays! Is that a thing to be scoffed at? " Goru was overcome with confusion at such words and his annoyance with Abinash made him quite hot. He exclaimed impatiently: “ Look here, Abinash, you insult a man by your kind of honour! Could you not expect from me modesty enough to refuse your invitation for me to join in that dance of voure bv the roadside? And you call this the sign of a great personage! Have you the idea of starting a strolling Jatra party, and of going round collecting dole ( Is no one ready to do even the least bit of real work? If yon want to work with me, all right, and if you want to light against me, all right too. but I beg you not to go about like this, shouting ‘Bravo! Bravo!’”
But this only made Abinash’s devotion the greater, and he turned with a beaming face to those who were present, as though to draw the attention of them all to the wonderful spirit of Gora’s words! He exclaimed: “ By your blessing we have been able to sec such true disinterestedness on your part as it is to the everlasting glory of the Motherland. We can surrender our lives to such a one,” and with these words ho bent down to touch Gora’s feet, but Gora moved away im^&Gourmohan Babu,’’said Abinash, "you refuse to accept any honour from us, but it will not do for you to refuse us the pleasure of your presence at a feast which we intend to bold ono day. We have all been discussing it and you must consent to come.”
“ Until I have done penance,” answered Gora, " I can’t sit down with any of you to a meal.”
Penance! ' Abinash's eyes became bright, as he exclaimed: “ Such an idea would never have occurred to any of us, but Gourmohau Babu can never neglect any of tho rules laid down by the Hindu religion.” ' „ 4 All agreed that it would be an excellent plan for them all to meet for the feast on the occasion of the ceremony of penance. Some of the big pandits of the country would have to be invited, and they would receive ocular demonstration, on seeing Gourraohan’s insistence on making penance, that even in these days the Hindu religion is a living thing.
When and where the ceremony should take p'ace was also discussed, and when Gora declared that it would be incon¬ venient at his own home, one of his devoted followers, who G.VI GORA ■had a garden house on the banks of the Ganges, proposed that •the arrangements should be made there. It was also decided •that the expenses of the occasion should be defrayed by all the (members of the party combined.
Just before their departure Abinash began an eloquent .and impassioned address in which, waving his hands at the .audience, he said: “ Gourmohan Babu may be angry with me, but when the heart is full it is impossible to restrain one s .feelings. For the rescue of the Vedas, avatars 1 have been horn in this holy land of India, and so to-day we have obtained •an avatar who has been bom for the preservation of the Hindu religion. In the whole world our country is the only one which ihas six seasons— and in this country of ours avatars have been born from time to time and will take birth again. Wc are .indeed fortunate that we have had proof that this is true. Brothers, let us cry, 4 Victory to Gourmohan!
Excited by Abinash’s eloquence the whole crowd began to cheer vociferously, but Gora fled in great confusion.
To-day, his first free day after his gaol experiences, an intense weariness seemed to overcome him. In the confine¬ ment of gaol life he had for many days been dreaming of how lie would work for his country with new enthusiasm, but to-day ihe kept asking himself only one question: Alas, where is •my country? Is it real only to myself? Here w my earliest •friend, he with whom I have discussed all my life s plans and hopes, ready at a moment’s notice to sever all connection after .•so many years with his past and future, with complete callous¬ ness, in order to marry some girl he has taken a fancy to. And here are those who belong to what every one called my party, after ray having explained my views to them so many ■times, deciding that I am an avatar born only to preserve the Hindu religion! I am merely a personified form of the ■Scriptures! And is India to be given no place? Six seasons, indeed! In India there arc six seasons! If the only product of these six seasons is the ripening of a fruit such as Abinash, where would have been the loss in having two or three seasons 1CSAt this moment the servant came saying that his mother called him, and on receiving this message Gora started .suddenly, and repeated to himself, “ Mother has called me! .and it seemed to him that the words had a new significance to him. He said to himself, “ No matter what happens 1 .have my mother. And she is calling for me. She will unite * Avatar is an incarnation.
GOEA CHAP;.
me with every one. She will not permit me to remain at a. distance from any one. I shall see that those who are my own. arc with her sitting in her room. In the gaol, too, mother was- calling me, there I was able to sco her, and now outside the- prison walls she calls me and I will go to see her.” As be¬ spoke thus to himself he looked out towards the cold sky of that winter noonday, and his differences with Binoy and. Abinash suddenly seemed to him to become trivial. In this* sunlight of mid-day, India seemed to be stretching out her' arms towards him, and he saw spread out before him all her rivers and mountains, her cities and oceans, and from the- infinite there poured a clear and stainless light in which the- whole of India shone radiantly. Cora’s heart was so full that tears came to his eyes and all despondency vanished from his mind. His nature was preparing joyfully for that work for India which was so endless, the fruits of which seemed so far off. Though he was not able to see with his own eyes the- greatness of India which he had seen in his meditations’ he did not feel the least shadow of regret. He said to himself again and again: “ Mother is calling mo! Let me go to where the- JJcstower of all food, the One who maintains the Universe, is> seated so infinitely far away in time and yet present at each instant, the One who is beyond death and yet in the midst of life, the One who sheds the glorious light of the Future on the imperfect and miserable Present — let me go there— mother- calls me to that infinitely far and yet infinitely close.” In the midst of this joy Gora felt the presence of Binoy and' Abinash — as though they too were not separated from him — all the trifling differences of that day being merged in a- complete harmony.
When Gora first entered Anandamoyi’s room -his face was- almost transfigured with the radiance of his happiness, and it seemed to him as if there was behind everything that he saw before him some wonderful presence. Coming in suddenly he did not at first recognise who it was who was sitting beside- his mother!
It was Sucharita who stood up and bowed to him.
“ It is you then that has come? ” said Gora to her. “ Sit down please! ” When he said, “ It is you that has come! ” he spoke as though it were no ordinary event, but some special advent.
At one time Gora had avoided Sucharita, and so long as he had been on his tour, engaged in work and undergoing various hardships, he had been able to put the thought of her moro GORA LVl or less out of his mind. But during his days of confinement in gaol the memory of Sucharita haunted him. There had been a time when the fact that there were women in India hardly entered Cora’s mind, but now he had made a new discovery of this truth through Sucharita, and the sudden and 3 'etc revelation of such a great and ancient fact made the of his strong nature tremble as though from a blow. When the sunlight and free air of the outer world entered into his prison cell and filled his mind with pain, he saw that world not merely as his own field of work composed only of tho society of men — there appeared before him in his meditations the faces of two presiding deities of that beautiful outside world, the light of the sun, moon, and stars illumining them with a special radiance, with tho cool blue sky surrounding them as a tender background — the one lighted by a mother’s love known to him from his birth, and the other the beautiful and tender face of his new acquaintance.
In the midst of his narrow and joyless gaol life Gora found it impossible to feel antagonistic when the memory of this face rose in his mind. The unique joy of this meditation brought into his prison a sense of deep freedom, and the hardships of gaol seemed to him like some false and unsubstantial dream. All the waves of his throbbing heart transcended the prison walls and mingled with the sky, played on the shimmering leaves and blossoms, and broke on the shores of the workaday world.