[ain and would not allow her to rest. On the other hand ere was Harimobini, making her life every dav more unbear¬ able. So, to-day, braving the displeasure of Bordasbundari, Sucharita went to Paresn Babu’s house. The high three¬ storied building towards the west was casting a long shadow as the sun was setting, and in that shadow Paresh Babu was walking slowly up and down, alone with his head bent in “How are you, father?” asked Sucharita as she joined him in his walk.
GORA CFIAP.
Paresh Babu started on being thus suddenly interrupted in his meditations and, standing still for a moment, looked at Sucharita, and said: “ I’m well, thank you, Radha! ” The two of them began to walk up and down together, and Paresh Babu remarked: “ Lolita is to be married on Monday.”
Sucharita had been thinking that she would ask him why he had not called her for consultation or help in the matter of this wedding, but she suddenly shrank from doing so. feeling that there was an obstacle somewhere on her own side. At any other time she would not have waited to bo called.
But Paresh Babu himself introduced the very subject which she had been thinking about, by saying: “ I was not able to ask your advice this time, Radha! ” “ Why not, father? ” asked Sucharita.
Without answering this question Paresh Babu remained looking inquiringly into her face, until Sucharita could no longer restrain herself, and said, with her face slightly averted: “ You have been thinking that a change has taken place in my mind.”
“ Yes,” assented Paresh Babu, “ so I thought that I would not place you in an awkward position by making any request to you.”
“ Father,” began Sucharita, “ I have been intending to tell you everything, but I have not been able to see you lately. That’s why I have come here to-day. I have not the power to explain everything to you quite clearly, and for that reason I am half afraid lest you should not understand.”
“I know that it is not easy to speak about these things simply,” agreed Paresh Babu. “ You have got something on your mind which is a question of emotions only, and although you feel it it docs not take tangible shape for you.”
“ Yes, it is exactly that! ” exclaimed Sucharita, much relieved. " But how can I explain to you how strong that feeling is? It is exactly as if I had been reborn, and had attained a new consciousness. Never before have I seen myself from the same point of view as now. Up to now I never had any sort of relationship with either the Past or the Future of my country, but now I have got such a wonderful realisation in my heart of the greatness and truth of this relationship that I cannot forget it. Look here, father, I tell you the truth when I say that I am really a Hindu, though before this I could never have got myself to acknowledge it.
O.X VIII GORA 27ow I say. without any hesitation, and even with emphasis, that I am a Hindu! And I feel a great joy in the con¬ fession! ” “ Have you looked at this question in all its aspects and ■with all its implications? ” asked Paresh Babu.
“ Have I in myself got the power of seeing it fully from •every point of view? ” answered Sucharita. “ I can only say that I have read widely on this subject and had many dis¬ cussions on it. When I had not learnt to look at things in their true proportions, and was in the habit of exaggerating 4ill the littlo details of Hinduism, then I felt a sort of hatred •for Hinduism as a whole.”
On hearing her speak like this Paresh Babu felt some .astonishment. He understood clearly enough that Sucharita’s mind was going through a transition of ideas, and because she had obtained something that was true she was feeling free •from all doubt. It was not that she was being carried away Sthe current of some vague emotion which, in her infatuation, i was not able to comprehend.
“ Father,” continued Sucharita, “ how can I say that I am .an unimportant being separate from my caste and my country? Why can I not say, ‘ I am a Hindu ’? ” “ In other words,” commented Paresh Babu, “ you mean to ask me why I myself do not call myself a Hindu? If you come to think of it there is no very serious reason why I shouldn’t, except that the Hindu Society itself refuses to acknowledge me as one. Another reason is that those whose religious opinions are in accordance with mine do not call •themselves Hindus.”
“ I have explained to you,” continued Paresh Babu, on ■seeing that Sucharita did not answer, “ that none of these •reasons are very serious ones, they are only external ones, and •one can get along all right without admitting these obstacles. But there is a very deep inner reason, and it is that there is no way of obtaining entrance into the Hindu Society. At any rate there is no royal high road, though there may be some back-doors. That society is not one for all mankind— it is only for those whose destiny it is to be born Hindus.”
“ But all societies are like that,” interposed Sucharita.
“ No, there is no important society that is,” replied Paresh Babu. “ The portal of the Mussulman society stands open for all to enter — the Christian society also welcomes all. Even rin the different branches of Christianity the same rule holds good. If I want to become English that is not absolutely GOIiA CHAP.
impossible for me— if I live in England long enough and follow their customs, then I can be included in the English Society — it is not even necessary for me to become a Christian. It j.«* easy onough to know how to enter a maze, but it is not sc easy to know the way out. Now for a Hindu it is just tin - opposite. The way for entering their society is altogether closed, but there ore thousands of ways out.”
“ But nevertheless, father,” argued Sucharita, “ the Hindus, have suffered no loss all these centuries. The Hindu Society- still lasts on.”
“ It takes time to realise when a society is suffering loss,”' answered Paresh Babu. “ In olden times the back entrances, to the Hindu Society were left open, and it used to bo con¬ sidered one of tho glories of this country that one of non- Aryan nationality could become a Hindu. Even in the time of the Mohammedans the influence of Hindu rajas and zemindars could be felt everywhere, and for that reason there, was no¬ limit to the obstacles and punishments placed iu the way of those who wanted to come out of the Hindu Society. Now that the English, by their laws, protect every one there is not. the same facility for forcibly closing the outlets of society by artificial means — that is why for some time past Hindus- have been on the decrease in India and Mohammedans on the- increase. If things go on like this, gradually tile Mussulmans will predominate, and it will be wrong to call this country Hindustan.”
“ But^ father,” exclaimed Sucharita in distress, “ isn’t it- the duty of all of us to prevent this happening? By for¬ saking the Hindus are we also to be the cause of still further- loss? Now is just the time when we ought to hold with all1 the j>ower at our command to our Hinduism.”
‘ Merely by wishing it, can wo keep anybody alivo by- holding tightly to them?” asked Paresh Buhu, patting Sucharita affectionately on the back. “ Tliero is a natural! law of protection, and he who forsakes that law of naturo is. naturally forsaken by all. The Hindu Society insults and. abandons men, and for that reason nowadays it is becoming' increasingly difficult to preserve our self-respect. In these days it is no longer possible to shelter ourselves behind a. screen — the roads of the world are open in all directions, and people from all sides are invading our society— it is no longer possible, by raising walls, and building dams with codes of laws and scriptures, to cut ourselves off from all connection with every one else. If the Hindu Society does not at once.
LXVIII GOKA arouse all its accumulated forces, and gives free scope to this, wasting disease, then this unobstructed connection with the outside world will deal it a deadly blow.”
“ I understand nothing about that,” said Sucharita in a- pained voice. “ If this is true, that to-day all are forsaking, it, then at such a time I at least will not forsake it. Because we are children of this unfortunate time we must all the more stand by our society in its distress.”
“ Mother,” said Paresh Babu, “ I will not say anything against the ideas that have awakened in your mind. Tran- quilliso yourself by worship, and try to judge everything by harmonising it with tho truth that is in you, and the idea of the good that you feel— then gradually all will become clear to yon. Do not lower Him, who is greater than all, before your country or before any one, for that would be neither for your good nor for that of your country. With this thought in my miud I want to dedicate my whole spirit with undivided heart to Him— then I shall easily be able to bo true in my relations with my country and with every one.”
At this point he was interrupted by a servant who handed! him a letter.
“ I have not got my spectacles,” observed Paresh Babu,. “ and the light is getting dim, so will you read it to me please.”
Sucharita took the letter and read it to him. The letter was from a Committee of the Brahmo Samaj, and was signed, by many prominent members. It was to the effect that, seeing that Paresh Babu had consented to the marriage of one of his daughters according to non-Brahmo rites, and was- actually himself preparing to take part in the wedding cere¬ mony, the Brahmo Samaj felt itself unable to count him as a member of its governing body. If he had anything to say in self-defence then he should write a letter of explanation, which should be in the hands of the Committee before the coming Sunday, on which day a final settlement would be¬ come to by a voto of the majority.
Paresh Babu took the letter and put it in his pocket, and. Sucharita took his hand gently in hers and began walk¬ ing up and down with him again. Gradually the evening darkness thickened, and in the adjoining lane a. lamp was- lighted.
“ Father,” said Sucharita softly, “ it’s time for your- meditation. To-day I will join you at your devotions.” Audi with these words she took him off to his solitary prayer-room,, where the usual carpet was already spread, and a candle was- GORA CHAP.
burning. This evening Parcsh Babu remained for a longer 'time than was his custom in meditation, and then after a brief spoken prayer lie rose to go. On leaving his room he •saw Lolita and Binoy sitting silently outside the door. As -soon as they saw him they stooped to his feet and made their pronams and he placed his hand on their heads in blessing, while to Sucharita he said: “ Mother, to-morrow I will go to your house. Let me finish my work to-day? ” and he went -out of the room.
At that moment Sucharita was quietly weeping, and for .• some time she stood motionless in the darkness of the verandah like an image. Lolita and Binoy also remained silent for a long time.
When Sucharita was about to go Binoy come in front of i her and said in a gentle voice: “ Didi, won’t you also give us Eur blessing? ” And with these words he stooped and made ; pronam to her.
What Sucharita repliod was said in such a choking voice •that only her God could hear.
Parcsh Babu in the meanwhile had gono to his room to -write his answer to the Brahrao Samaj Committee. In bis letter he wrote: “ Lolita’s wedding will have to be managed by me, and if for this reason you give me up I will not regard ■at as wrong of you. In this matter I have only one prayer to offer to God, and it is that when I have been driven out of -every society He will give me shelter at His own feet.”
CHAPTER LXIX ‘-Sucharita was very anxious to repeat to Gora all that she had been hearing from Parcsh Babu. Did not Gora think that the India, towards which he had been directing her gaze and for which he had been trying to attract the intenscst love of her .heart, was already faced with destruction and threatened with • loss? So long India had kept herself alive by some internal rules, so that Indians had not been compelled to exercise much care in the matter. But had not the time come to he • watchful? Could we sit idly at home taking refuge in mere ancient rules as we had done heretofore?
Sucharita thought to herself, “ In this there is a work for me too to accomplish. What is that work? ” She felt that Gora < ought, at such a time, to come to her and give her his commands.
LXIX GORA LXIX GORA and show her the way. She was thinking that if only he had rescued her from all obstacles and contempt and set her in her rightful place, then the true value of her work would have far eclipsed all the trifling scandal and abuse of public opinion. Her mind became filled with pride in her own self, and she asked herself why Gora had not put her to the test, and called her to undertake some well-nigh impossible task — in the whole of his party was there a single man who could, like herself, sacrifice everything so easily? Did he not see the need for such eagerness and power for sclf-sacrificc? Was there not the least loss to the country in leaving her idle, surrounded and fenced in by public opinion? She put away from her the very thought of such lack of regard for her, and said to herself: “He can never mean to forsake me in such a manner! He will have to come back to me, he will have to search for me; he will have to get rid of tlic last trace of hesitation and shyness. No matter how great and powerful a man he may be, he has need of me, once he even said so with his own lips— how can he now forget this because of some mere idle talk? ” Satish now came running in and, standing beside her, said: “ Didi! ” “ What is it, little Mr. Chatterbox? ” exclaimed Sucharita, putting her arm round his neck.
“ On Monday, Lolita Didi is going to be married,” answered Satish, “ and for the next few days I am to go and stay at Binoy Babu’s house. He has invited me.”
“ Have you spoken to Auntie about it? ” inquired Sucharita.
“ Yes, 1 have told Auntie,” replied Satish, “ and she was angry and said she did not know anything about all that, and that I must ask you, and what you thought best I could do! Didi, don’t forbid me to go! My lessons will not suffer at all. I will read every day, and Binoy Babu will help me.”
“ But you’ll upset them all no end in a house where they are making such preparations,” objected Sucharita.
“ No, no, Didi,” cried Satish, “ I promise I won’t upset them one little bit.”
“ Are you thinking of taking your dog, Khuda, with you? ” asked Sucharita.
“ Yes," answered Satish, “ I must take him, for Binoy Babu told me specially to bring him. A separate invitation printed on red paper has been sent for him in his own name, and an it is written that he must bring his family to the wedding breakfast.”
GORA chap.
“ Who arc his family? ” asked Sucharita.
“ Why, of course, 'Binoy Babu says lam!” ejaculated Satish impatiently. “ And, Didi, he told me to bring that organ too, so please do give it to me! — I promise not to break it.”
“ If only you would break it I would thank my stars! exclaimed Sucharita. “ Now at last I see why he has been calling you his friend so long! It was that he might get hold, of that organ of yours, and so save tho expense of having a band for his wedding! That’s been his game, lias it? ” “ No, no, never! ” cried Satish excitedly. “ Binoy Babu says that he is going to make me his best man. What has tho best man got to do, Didi? ” “ Oh, he has to fast the whole day,” explained Sucharita.
But Satish did not believe this for a moment. Then Sucharita, drawing him close up to her, asked: “ Well, Mr. Chatterbox, what are you going to be when you grow up? ” Satish was ready with his answer, for having noticed what a model of exceptional learning and unobstructed power his teacher was, he had already made up his mind that he would be a schoolmaster when he grew up.
“ There will be a lot of work to do,” said Sucharita on being told of his ambition. “ What do you say to us both joining and doing the work together? We shall have to work our hardest to make our country great I But do we need to make it great? What country is as great as ours? It is our own lives we shall have to make great! Do you know that? Do you understand? ” Satish was not a person to confess his inability to under¬ stand anything, so he said emphatically: “ Yes! ’ “ Do you know how great our country is, and our race? ” continued his sister. “ How can I explain it to you? This is a wonderful country! How many thousands and thousands of years has God’s purpose been working to make it surpass all other countries in the world? How many people from other lands have come to make this purpose complete? how many K:at men have taken birth in our land? how many great wars ve had their scenes laid here? what great truths have found utterance here? what great austerities have been performed? from what a variety of standpoints has religion been studied P and how many solutions to the mystery of life have been found in this land? This is our India! You must know her as great,, little brother, and never forget her or k-ld her in contempt f What I am telling you to-day you will have to comprehend one day — in fact I believe that you understand some of what I C-XIX GORA am saying even now. You will have to keep one thing in. mind — that you have been bom in a great country, and with all your soul you will have to work for her.”
“ And wlmt will you do, Didi? ” asked Satish, after a moment’s silence.
“ I too will take part in this work,” answered Sucharita.
Will you help me? ” “ Yes, I will! ” said Satish, puffing out his chest with pride.
There was no one in the house to whom Sucharita could pour out what was pent up in her heart, so the whole force, of ;.ta Hood burst on the head of this little brother of hers. The language in which she spoke was hardly suitable for a boy of his age — but Sucharita was not deterred by that. She was so enthusiastic about the new knowledge she had gained that she felt she had only to explain fully what she herself had grasped, and old and young alike would be able to comprehend it, each according to his own ability — to keep anything back in the attempt to make it comprehensible to another’s intelligence would bo to distort the truth.
Satish’s imagination was stirred, and he said: “ When I am grown up, and when I have got a lot of money - ” *' No! No! No! " exclaimed.Sucharita. “ Don’t apeak of money. Neither of us have any need of money, Mr. Chatter¬ box. The work we have to do will require our devotion, our lives.”
At this moment Anandamoyi entered the room, and at sight of her the blood in Sucharita’s veins began to dance. She made her obeisance to her, and Satish tried to follow suit, but he performed his act of greeting with poor grace, for making oboisances did not come quite naturally to him.
Anandamoyi drew Satish to her side and, lapsing his head, turned to Suoharita, and said: “ I’ve come to consult you about something, mother, for I see no one else to whom I cau come. Binoy said that his wedding must take place at my house, but I objected to that, asking if he had become such a nawab that he could only be satisfied by the bride being married from his own home. But that could never be, so I have chosen a house not far from yours. I have just now come from there. Please speak to Pm-esh Babu and get his consent.”
“ Father will give his consent all right,” assured Sucharita.
“ After that,” pursued Anandamoyi, “ you too must come there. The wedding is to be on Monday, and within these few days we have to make everything straight in the house.
GORA CHAP.
There is not much time I I could manage it all myself, but I know that Binoy would be greatly hurt if you didn’t help. He could not bring himself to request you plainly — in fact lie has not even mentioned your name to me — from that I can understand that on this point he feels some pain. It will never do for you to remain aloof — for that would hurt Lolita Mother, will you be able to attend this wedding?” exclaimed Sucharita in astonishment.
Whatever do vou mean? ” asked Anandamoyi. “ Why said to Binoy that in this marriage ceremony I am no connec¬ tion of his, I am of the bride’s party— he is coming to marry Lolita in my house.
Anandamoyi’s heart was filled with pity for Lolita, because, although she had her own mother, she had been cast out by her at this auspicious moment of her life. It was for this reason that she was trying so whole-heartedly to prevent tho least sign on this occasion of a lack of regard or affection. Taking the place of her mother, she would dress Lolita with her own hands, would make all the arrangements for welcoming the bridegroom, and see that if two or three of the invited guests came they would receive a cordial reception. And she was determined to put the house into such a ship-shape condition that Lolita would feel at home in it as soon as she settled in.
“ If you do this will you not get into trouble at all? ” asked Sucharita.
I may do, but what of that? ” exclaimed Anandamoyi, remembering the fuss that Mohim had raised about it. “ Even if there is a slight fuss, one has only to remain quiet for a little, and it will all be forgotten.”
Sucharita knew that Gora would not attend the wedding, and she was eager to know whether he had made any attempt to prevent Anandamoyi also from taking any part in it. But she was not able to raise the question herself, and Anandamoyi never so much as mentioned Gora’s name.
Harimohini had heard Anandamoyi arlivc, but she took her time over her work before coming in to see her.
“ Well, Didi, how are you? ” she inquired. “ I haven’t seen you or heard news of you for a long time! ” “ I’ve come to fetch your niece away,” said Anandamoyi, GORA LXIX without taking any notice of the complaint; and she explained; what their intention was.
After sitting some time in silence, with a face full of dis¬ pleasure, Harimohini at last said: “ I can’t take any part in this affair.”
“ No, sister, I don’t ask you to go,” said Anandamoyi. “You needn’t be anxious about Sucharita, Twill stay with- her all along.”
“ Then let me speak out,” exclaimed Harimohini.
“ Radhrani is always saying that she is a Hindu, and as a matter of fact her tendency just now is in that direction. But if she wants to get into the Hindu community she will have to walk a bit cautiously. As it is, quite enough will be said about her, though I shall be able to manage somehow — but from now on she will have to bo specially careful for a little. The first thing people will ask is why she is still unmarried at such an age — that question we shall be able,. somehow or other, to avoid answering definitely — it is not that we cannot get her a good husband if ' we try, but if once - she starts carrying on again in the old way, where can we check her, tell me? You belong to a Hindu family, so you understand well enough, so how can you have the face to talk like that? If you had had a daughter of your own, could i you have sent her to take part in this wedding? Would you not have had to think about her own wedding also? ” Anandamoyi was so astonished that she could only gaze in amazement at Sucharita, who in her turn was blushing furiously.
“ I don’t want to force her to take part,” observed Ananda¬ moyi. “ If she has any objection, then I - ” Then I can make neither head nor- tail of what your idea is,” exclaimed Harimohini. “ Your own son has been filling her with his Hindu notions, and now you come with these ideas of yours! Have you suddenly fallen from the- sky?"
Where now was that Harimohini who, in Parcsh Babu’s- house, had always been as timid although she were a criminal, and who on noticing the least sign of approval on any one’s part would hold on to him with all her might? To-day she- stood like a tigress defending her own rights. Sho was all the time on tenterhooks, suspecting that all sorts of contrary forces were at work around her trying- to snatch Sucharita away from her. She could not understand who was on her iidc and who was against her — that was why she was so- GORA CHAP.
uneasy in her mind to-day. Her heart was no longer finding comfort in the god in whom she had taken shelter when she bad seen her whole world a void. Once she had been extremely worldly, and when the strokes of inexorable misfortune had made her detached from the world, she had never even in thought contemplated the possibility of the least trace of attachment for money, or houses, or relatives finding place in her mind again. But now that her wound was slightly healed the world again began to exercise its fatal fascination for her, and with the accumulated hunger of many days all tho hopes and desires awoko in her as before. The 8j>eed of returning again to that which she had renounced was so rapid that she became even more restless than she had been when she was actually in the world I On seeing the signs of this change which had taken place within such a few days, iu Harimohini’s face and eyes, in all her gestures and move¬ ments, and in her words and behaviour, Anandamoyi was astonished beyond measure, and her tender and affectionate heart was filled with pained concern for Sucharita. If she had had the least idea of the presence of this hidden danger she would never have come to call Sucharita to the wedding, and now the problem was how she could save her from the blow.
When Harimohini had made her veiled attack on Gora, Sucharita got up without a word, and with bowed head left the room.
“ You needn’t be afraid, sister,” said Anandamoyi. “ I did not realise all this before, but I won’t press her any more. Don't you say anything to her either. She has been brought up in one sort of way, and if you suddenly try to repress her too much she will not be able to bear it.”
“ Do you think I do not understand that, at my age too? ” complained Harimohini. “ Let her tell you to your face whether I have ever given her any cause for trouble 1 She has done whatever she liked, and I have never said a single word. I always say that if only God will let her live that is quite enough for me. Oh! my misfortune! I can hardly 6leep for thinking of what may happen some day.”
When Anandamoyi was leaving the house Sucharita came out of her room and made her pronams to her, and Anandamoyi put her hand affectionately on her head as she said: “ I will come, my dear, and tell you all the news, so you need not get depressed. By God’s grace the good work will be completed.”
To this Sucharita made no answer.
lx ix GORA 365 Next morning, quite early, Anandamoyi took her maid¬ servant, Lachmiya, to cleanse the house of the accumulated dust of many days, and just ns she had absolutely flooded the floor with water Sucbarita arrived on the scene. As soon as she saw her, Anandamoyi threw down her broom and clasped her to her breast, and then started in right earnest at the task of scrubbing, cleaning and washing everything m the ,IOlparcsh Babu had given to Sucharita sufficient money for covering the cost of all the necessary arrangements, and taking that as their treasury, they made a list and began to check all the items., _,,. „.,...
A little time afterwards Parcsh Babu himself arrived witn Lolita, whose home had become unendurable to her, for no one had the courage to sjicak a word to her, and their silence was like a blow at every turn. When, to crown everything, crowds of Bordashundari’s friends began to call on her to express their sympathy, Parcsh Babu thought it best to remove Lolita from the house altogether. At the time of parting Lolita went to take the dust of her mother’s feet, and when she left the room Bordashundari remained seated with her face turned away, and there were tears in her eyes. Labonya and Lilia were in their heart of hearts quite excited about Lolita’s marriage, and if they could have got the least excuse, on anv pretext whatever, they would have gone running to attend the wedding. But when Lolita was bidding them farewell they remembered their stern duty to the Brahmo Samai, and put on very solemn faces. At the door she caught a brief glimpse of Sudbir, but behind him was a group of elderly people, and so she was unable to have a word with him. On getting into the carriage she noticed something done up in paper in one corner of the seat, and on opening it she found a German silver vase on which was the inscription—