the hungry stones and other stories-第20章

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olly；　and　regretted　it。

Labanyalekha；　the　eldest　sister；　surpassed　the　rest　in　beauty　and　cleverness。　Finding　an　auspicious　day；　she　put　on　the　mantel…shelf　of　Nabendu's　bedroom　two　pairs　of　English　boots；　daubed　with　vermilion；　and　arranged　flowers；　sandal…paste；　incense　and　a　couple　of　burning　candles　before　them　in　true　ceremonial　fashion。　When　Nabendu　came　in；　the　two　sisters…in…law　stood　on　either　side　of　him；　and　said　with　mock　solemnity：　〃Bow　down　to　your　gods；　and　may　you　prosper　through　their　blessings。〃

The　third　sister　Kiranlekha　spent　many　days　in　embroidering　with　red　silk　one　hundred　common　English　names　such　as　Jones；　Smith；　Brown；　Thomson；　etc。；　on　a　chadar。　When　it　was　ready；　she　presented　this　namavoli　（A　namavoli　is　a　sheet　of　cloth　printed　all　over　with　the　names　of　Hindu　gods　and　goddesses　and　worn　by　pious　Hindus　when　engaged　in　devotional　exercises。）　to　Nabendu　Sekhar　with　great　ceremony。

The　fourth；　Sasankalekha；　of　tender　age　and　therefore　of　no　account；　said：　〃　I　will　make　you　a　string　of　beads；　brother；　with　which　to　tell　the　names　of　your　gods…the　sahibs。〃　Her　sisters　reproved　her；　saying：　〃Run　away；　you　saucy　girl。〃

Feelings　of　shame　and　irritation　assailed　by　turns　the　mind　of　Nabendu　Sekhar。　Still　he　could　not　forego　the　company　of　his　sisters…in…law；　especially　as　the　eldest　one　was　beautiful。　Her　honey　was　no　less　than　her　gall；　and　Nabendu's　mind　tasted　at　once　the　sweetness　of　the　one　and　the　bitterness　of　the　other。　The　butterfly；　with　its　bruised　wings；　buzzes　round　the　flower　in　blind　fury；　unable　to　depart。

The　society　of　his　sisters…in…Law　so　much　infatuated　him　that　at　last　Nabendu　began　to　disavow　his　craving　for　European　favours。　When　he　went　to　salaam　the　Burra　Sahib；　he　used　to　pretend　that　he　was　going　to　listen　to　a　speech　by　Mr。　Surendranath　Banerjea。　When　he　went　to　the　railway　station　to　pay　respects　to　the　Chota　Sahib；　returning　from　Darjeeling；　he　would　tell　his　sisters…in…law　that　he　expected　his　youngest　uncle。

It　was　a　sore　trial　to　the　unhappy　man　placed　between　the　cross…fires　of　his　Sahibs　and　his　sisters…in…law。　The　sisters…in…law；　however；　secretly　vowed　that　they　would　not　rest　till　the　Sahibs　had　been　put　to　rout。

About　this　time　it　was　rumoured　that　Nabendu's　name　would　be　included　in　the　forthcoming　list　of　Birthday　honours；　and　that　he　would　mount　the　first　step　of　the　ladder　to　Paradise　by　becoming　a　Rai　Bahadur。　The　poor　fellow　had　not　the　courage　to　break　the　joyful　news　to　his　sisters…in…law。　One　evening；　however；　when　the　autumn　moon　was　flooding　the　earth　with　its　mischievous　beams；　Nabendu's　heart　was　so　full　that　he　could　not　contain　himself　any　longer；　and　he　told　his　wife。　The　next　day；　Mrs。　Nabendu　betook　herself　to　her　eldest　sister's　house　in　a　palanquin；　and　in　a　voice　choked　with　tears　bewailed　her　lot。

〃He　isn't　going　to　grow　a　tail；〃　said　Labanya；　〃by　becoming　a　Rai　Bahadur；　is　he？　Why　should　you　feel　so　very　humiliated？　〃

〃Oh；　no；　sister　dear；〃　replied　Arunlekha；　〃I　am　prepared　to　be　anythingbut　not　a　Rai…Baha…durni。''　The　fact　was　that　in　her　circle　of　acquaintances　there　was　one　Bhutnath　Babu；　who　was　a　Rai　Bahadur；　and　that　explained　her　intense　aversion　to　that　title。

Labanya　said　to　her　sister　in　soothing　tones：　〃　Don't　be　upset　about　it；　dear；　I　will　see　what　I　can　do　to　prevent　it〃

Babu　Nilratan；　the　husband　of　Labanya；　was　a　pleader　at　Buxar。　When　the　autumn　was　over；　Nabendu　received　an　invitation　from　Labanya　to　pay　them　a　visit；　and　he　started　for　Buxar　greatly　pleased。

The　early　winter　of　the　western　province　endowed　Labanyalekha　with　new　health　and　beauty；　and　brought　a　glowing　colour　to　her　pale　cheeks；　She　looked　like　the　flower…laden　kasa　reeds　on　a　clear　autumn　day；　growing　by　the　lonely　bank　of　a　rivulet。　To　Nabendu's　enchanted　eyes　she　appeared　like　a　malati　plant　in　full　blossom；　showering　dew…drops　brilliant　with　the　morning　light。

Nabendu　had　never　felt　better　in　his　life。　The　exhilaration　of　his　own　health　and　the　genial　company　of　his　pretty　sister…in…law　made　him　think　himself　light　enough　to　tread　on　air。　The　Ganges　in　front　of　the　garden　seemed　to　him　to　be　flowing　ceaselessly　to　regions　unknown；　as　though　it　gave　shape　to　his　own　wild　fantasies。

As　he　returned　in　the　early　morning　from　his　walk　on　the　bank　of　the　river；　the　mellow　rays　of　the　winter　sun　gave　his　whole　frame　that　pleasing　sensation　of　warmth　which　lovers　feel　in　each　other's　arms。　Coming　home；　he　would　now　and　then　find　his　sister…in…Law　amusing　herself　by　cooking　some　dishes。　He　would　offer　his　help；　and　display　his　want　of　skill　and　ignorance　at　every　step。　But　Nabendu　did　not　appear　to　be　at　all　anxious　to　improve　himself　by　practice　and　attention。　On　the　contrary　he　thoroughly　enjoyed　the　rebukes　he　received　from　his　sister…in…law。　He　was　at　great　pains　to　prove　every　day　that　he　was　inefficient　and　helpless　as　a　new…born　babe　in　mixing　spices；　handling　the　saucepan；　and　regulating　the　heat　so　as　to　prevent　things　getting　burnt…and　he　was　duly　rewarded　with　pitiful　smiles　and　scoldings。

In　the　middle　of　the　day　he　ate　a　great　deal　of　the　good　food　set　before　him；　incited　by　his　keen　appetite　and　the　coaxing　of　his　sister…in…law。　Later　on；　he　would　sit　down　to　a　game　of　cardsat　which　he　betrayed　the　same　lack　of　ability。　He　would　cheat；　pry　into　his　adversary's　hand；　quarrelbut　never　did　he　win　a　single　rubber；　and　worse　still；　he　would　not　acknowledge　defeat。　This　brought　him　abuse　every　day；　and　still　he　remained　incorrigible。

There　was；　however；　one　matter　in　which　his　reform　was　complete。　For　the　time　at　least；　he　had　forgotten　that　to　win　the　smiles　of　Sahibs　was　the　final　goal　of　life。　He　was　beginning　to　understand　how　happy　and　worthy　we　might　feel　by　winning　the　affection　and　esteem　of　those　near　and　dear　to　us。

Besides；　Nabendu　was　now　moving　in　a　new　atmosphere。　Labanya's　husband；　Babu　Nilratan；　a　leader　of　the　bar；　was　reproached　by　many；　because　he　refused　to　pay　his　respects　to　European　officials。　To　all　such　reproaches　Nilratan　would　reply：　〃No；　thank　you；　if　they　are　not　polite　enough　to　return　my　call；　then　the　politeness　I　offer　them　is　a　loss　that　can　never　be　made　up　for。　The　sands　of　the　desert　may　be　very　white　and　shiny；　but　I　would　much　rather　sow　my　seeds　in　black　soil；　where　I　can　expect　a　return。〃

And　Nabendu　began　to　adopt　similar　ideas；　all　regardless　of　the　future。　His　chance　of　Rai　Bahadurship　throve　on　the　soil　carefully　prepared　by　his　late　father　and　also　by　himself　in　days　gone　by；　nor　was　any　fresh　watering　required。　Had　he　not　at　great　expense　laid　out　a　splendid　race…course　in　a　town；　which　was　a　fashionable　resort　of　Europeans？

When　the　time　of　Congress　drew　near；　Nilratan　received　a　request　from　head…quarters　to　collect　subscriptions。　Nabendu；　free　from　anxiety；　was　merrily　engaged　in　a　game　of　cards　with　his　sister…in。　law；　when　Nilratan　Babu　came　upon　him　with　a　subscription…book　in　his　hand；　and　said：　〃Your　signature；　please。〃

》From　old　habit　Nabendu　looked　horrified。　Labanya；　assuming　an　air　of　great　concern　and　anxiety；　said：　〃Never　do　that。　It　would　ruin　your　racecourse　beyond　repair。〃

Nabendu　blurted　out：　〃Do　you　suppose　I　pass　sleepless　nights　through　fear　of　that？〃

〃We　won't　publish　your　name　in　the　papers；〃　said　Nilratan　reassuringly。

Labanya；　looking　grave　and　anxious；　said：　〃Still；　it　wouldn't　be　safe。　Things　spread　so；　from　mouth　to　mouth—〃

Nabendu　replied　with　vehemence：　〃My　name　wouldn't　suffer　by　appearing　in　the　newspapers。〃　So　saying；　he　snatched　the　subscription　list　from　Nilratan's　hand；　and　signed　away　a　thousand　rupees。　Secretly　he　hoped　that　the　papers　would　not　publish　the　news。

Labanya　struck　her　forehead　with　her　palm　and　gasped　out：　Whathave　youdone？〃

〃Nothing　wrong；〃　said　Nabendu　boastfully。

〃But—but；〃　drawled　Labanya；　〃the　Guard　sahib　of　Sealdah　Station；　the　shop…assistant　at　Whiteaway's；　the　syce…sahib　of　Hart　Bros。these　gentlemen　might　be　angry　with　you；　and　decline　to　come　to　your　Poojah　dinner　to　drink　your　champagne；　you　know。　Just　think；　they　mightn't　pat　you　on　the　back；　when　you　meet　them　again！〃

〃It　wouldn't　break　my　heart；〃　Nabendu　snapped　out。

A　few　days　passed。　One　morning　Nabendu　was　sipping　his　tea；　and　glancing　at　a　newspaper。　Suddenly　a　letter　signed　〃X〃　caught　his　eye。　The　writer　thanked　him　profusely　for　his　donation；　and　declared　that　the　increase　of　strength　the　Congress　had　acquired　by　having　such　a　man　within　its　fold；　was　inestimable。

Alas；　father　Purnendu　Sekhar！　Was　it　to　increase　the　strength　of　the　Congress；　that　you　brought　this　wretch　into　the　world？

Put　the　cloud　of　misfortune　had　its　silver　lining。　That　he　was　not　a　mere　cypher　was　clear　from　the　fact　that　the　Anglo…Indian　community　on　the　one　side　and　the　Congress　on　the　other　were　each　waiting　patiently；　eager　to　hook　him；　and　land　him　on　their　own　side。　So　Nabendu；　beaming　with　pleasure　took　the　paper　to　his　sister…in…law；　and　showed　her　the　letter。　Looking　as　though　she　knew　nothing　about　it；　Labanya　exclaimed　in　surprise：　〃Oh；　what　a　pity！　Everything　has　come　out！　Who　bore　you　such　ill…will？　Oh；　how　cruel　of　him；　how　wicked　of　him！〃

Nabendu　laughed　out；　saying：　〃　Nownow—don't　call　him　names；　Labanya。　I　forgive　him　with　all　my　heart；　and　bless　him　too。〃

A　couple　of　days　after　this；　an　anti…Congress　Anglo…Indian　paper　reached　Nabendu　through　the　post。　There　was　a　letter　in　it；　signed　〃One　who　knows；〃　and　contradicting　the　above　report。　〃Those　who　have　the　pleasure　of　Babu　Nabendu　Sekhar's　personal　acquaintance；〃　the　writer　went　on；　〃cannot　for　a　moment　believe　this　absurd　libel　to　be　true。　For　him　to　turn　a　Congresswalla　is　as　impossible　as　it　is　for　the　leopard　to　change　his　spots。　He　is　a　man　of　genuine　worth；　and　neither　a　disappointed　candidate　for　Government　employ　nor　a　briefless　barrister。　He　is　not　one　of　those　who；　after　a　brief　sojourn　in　England；　return　aping　our　dress　and　manners；　audaciously　try　to　thrust　themselves　on　Anglo…Indian　society；　and　finally　go　back　in　dejection。　So　there　is　absolutely　no　reason　why　Balm　Nabendu　Sekhar；〃　etc。；　etc。

Ah；　father　Purnendu　Sekhar！　What　a　reputation　you　had　made　with　the　Europeans　before　you　died！

This　letter　also　was　paraded　before　his　sister…in…law；　for　did　it　not　assert　that　he　was　no　mean；　contemptible　scallywag；　but　a　man　of　real　worth？

Labanya　exclaimed　again　in　feigned　surprise：　〃Which　of　your　friends　wrote　it　now？　Oh；　comeis　it　the　Ticket　Collector；　or　the　hide　merchant；　or　is　it　the　drum…major　of　the　Fort？　〃

〃You　ought　to　send　in　a　contradiction；　I　think；〃　said　Nilratan。

〃Is　it　necessary？〃　said　Nabendu　loftily。　Must　I　contradict　every　little　thing　they　choose　to　say　against　me？　〃

Labanya　filled　the　room　with　a　deluge　of　laughter。　Nabendu　felt　a　little　disconcerted　at　this；　and　said：　〃Why？　What's　the　matter？〃　She　went　on　laughing；　unable　to　check　herself；　and　her　youthful　slender　form　waved　to　and　fro。　This　torrent　of　merriment　had　the　effect　of　overthrowing　Nabendu　completely；　and　he　said　in　pitiable　accents：　〃Do　you　imagine　that　I　am　afraid　to　contradict　it？〃

〃Oh；　dear；　no；〃　said　Labanya；　〃I　was　thinking　that　you　haven't　yet　ceased　trying　to　save　that　race…course　of　yours；　so　full　of　promise。　While　there　is　life；　there　is　hope；　you　know