the hungry stones and other stories-第7章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


ng；　and　said　vacantly：　〃Uncle；　have　the　holidays　come　yet？　　May　I　go　home？〃

Bishamber　wiped　the　tears　from　his　own　eyes；　and　took　Phatik's　lean　and　burning　hands　in　his　own；　and　sat　by　him　through　the　night。　　The　boy　began　again　to　mutter。　　At　last　his　voice　became　excited：　〃Mother；〃　he　cried；　〃don't　beat　me　like　that！　　Mother！　　I　am　telling　the　truth！〃

The　next　day　Phatik　became　conscious　for　a　short　time。　　He　turned　his　eyes　about　the　room；　as　if　expecting　some　one　to　come。　　At　last；　with　an　air　of　disappointment；　his　head　sank　back　on　the　pillow。　　He　turned　his　face　to　the　wall　with　a　deep　sigh。

Bishamber　knew　his　thoughts；　and；　bending　down　his　head；　whispered：　〃Phatik；　I　have　sent　for　your　mother。〃　　The　day　went　by。　　The　doctor　said　in　a　troubled　voice　that　the　boy's　condition　was　very　critical。

Phatik　began　to　cry　out；　〃By　the　mark！　three　fathoms。　　By　the　mark　four　fathoms。　　By　the　mark…。〃　　He　had　heard　the　sailor　on　the　river…　steamer　calling　out　the　mark　on　the　plumb…line。　　Now　he　was　himself　plumbing　an　unfathomable　sea。

Later　in　the　day　Phatik's　mother　burst　into　the　room　like　a　whirlwind；　and　began　to　toss　from　side　to　side　and　moan　and　cry　in　a　loud　voice。

Bishamber　tried　to　calm　her　agitation；　but　she　flung　herself　on　the　bed；　and　cried：　〃Phatik；　my　darling；　my　darling。〃

Phatik　stopped　his　restless　movements　for　a　moment。　　His　hands　ceased　beating　up　and　down。　　He　said：　〃Eh？〃

The　mother　cried　again：　〃Phatik；　my　darling；　my　darling。〃

Phatik　very　slowly　turned　his　head　and；　without　seeing　anybody；　said：　〃Mother；　the　holidays　have　come。〃



MY　LORD；　THE　BABY

I

Raicharan　was　twelve　years　old　when　he　came　as　a　servant　to　his　master's　house。　　He　belonged　to　the　same　caste　as　his　master；　and　was　given　his　master's　little　son　to　nurse。　　As　time　went　on　the　boy　left　Raicharan's　arms　to　go　to　school。　　From　school　he　went　on　to　college；　and　after　college　he　entered　the　　judicial　　service。　　Always；　　until　he　　married；　Raicharan　was　his　sole　attendant。

But；　　when　　a　　mistress　　came　　into　　the　　house；　Raicharan　found　two　masters　instead　of　one。　　All　his　　former　influence　passed　to　the　new　mistress。　　This　was　compensated　　for　by　a　　fresh　arrival。　　Anukul　had　a　son　born　to　him；　and　Raicharan　by　his　unsparing　attentions　soon　got　a　complete　hold　over　the　child。　　He　used　to　toss　him　up　in　his　arms；　call　to　　him　　in　　absurd　baby　language；　put　his　　face　close　to　the　baby's　and　draw　it　away　again　with　a　grin。

Presently　the　child　was　able　to　crawl　and　cross　the　doorway。　　When　Raicharan　went　to　catch　him；　he　would　scream　with　mischievous　laughter　and　make　for　safety。　　Raicharan　was　amazed　at　the　profound　skill　and　exact　judgment　the　baby　showed　when　pursued。　　He　would　say　to　his　mistress　with　a　look　of　awe　and　mystery：　〃Your　son　will　be　a　judge　some　day。〃

New　wonders　came　in　their　turn。　　When　the　baby　began　to　toddle；　that　was　to　Raicharan　an　epoch　in　human　history。　　When　he　called　his　father　Ba…ba　and　　his　mother　　Ma…ma　　and　　Raicharan　Chan…na；　then　Raicharan's　ecstasy　knew　no　bounds。　　He　went　out　to　tell　the　news　to　all　the　world。

After　a　while　Raicharan　was　asked　to　show　his　ingenuity　in　other　ways。　He　had；　for　instance；　to　play　the　part　of　a　horse；　holding　the　reins　between　his　teeth　and　prancing　with　his　feet。　　He　had　also　to　wrestle　with　his　little　charge；　and　if　he　could　not；　by　a　wrestler's　trick；　fall　on　his　back　defeated　at　the　end；　a　great　outcry　was　certain。

About　this　time　Anukul　was　transferred　to　a　district　on　the　banks　of　the　Padma。　　On　his　way　through　Calcutta　he　bought　his　son　a　little　go…cart。　He　bought　him　also　a　yellow　satin　waistcoat；　a　gold…laced　cap；　and　some　gold　bracelets　and　anklets。　　Raicharan　was　wont　to　take　these　out；　and　put　them　on　his　little　charge　with　ceremonial　pride；　whenever　they　went　for　a　walk。

Then　came　the　rainy　season；　and　day　after　day　the　rain　poured　down　in　torrents。　　The　hungry　river；　like　an　enormous　serpent；　swallowed　down　terraces；　villages；　cornfields；　and　covered　with　its　flood　the　tall　grasses　and　wild　casuarinas　on　the　sand…banks。　　From　time　to　time　there　was　a　deep　thud；　as　the　river…banks　crumbled。　　The　unceasing　roar　of　the　rain　current　could　be　beard　from　far　away。　　Masses　of　foam；　carried　swiftly　past；　proved　to　the　eye　the　swiftness　of　the　stream。

One　afternoon　the　rain　cleared。　　It　was　cloudy；　but　cool　and　bright。　Raicharan's　little　despot　did　not　want　to　stay　in　on　such　a　fine　afternoon。　　His　lordship　climbed　into　the　go…cart。　　Raicharan；　between　the　shafts；　dragged　him　slowly　along　till　he　reached　the　rice…fields　on　the　banks　of　the　river。　　There　was　no　one　in　the　fields；　and　no　boat　on　the　stream。　　Across　the　water；　on　the　farther　side；　the　clouds　were　rifted　in　the　west。　　The　silent　ceremonial　of　the　setting　sun　was　revealed　in　all　its　glowing　splendour。　　In　the　midst　of　that　stillness　the　child；　all　of　a　sudden；　pointed　with　his　finger　in　front　of　him　and　cried：　〃Chan…nal　　Pitty　fow。〃

Close　by　on　a　mud…flat　stood　a　large　Kadamba　tree　in　full　flower。　　My　lord；　the　baby；　looked　at　it　with　greedy　eyes；　and　Raicharan　knew　his　meaning。　　Only　a　short　time　before　he　had　made；　out　of　these　very　flower　balls；　a　small　go…cart；　and　the　child　had　been　so　entirely　happy　dragging　it　about　with　a　string；　that　for　the　whole　day　Raicharan　was　not　made　to　put　on　the　reins　at　all。　　He　was　promoted　from　a　horse　into　a　groom。

But　Raicharan　had　no　wish　that　evening　to　go　splashing　knee…deep　through　the　mud　to　reach　the　flowers。　　So　he　quickly　pointed　his　finger　in　the　opposite　direction；　calling　out：　〃Oh；　look；　baby；　look！　　Look　at　the　bird。〃　　And　with　all　sorts　of　curious　noises　he　pushed　the　go…cart　rapidly　away　from　the　tree。

But　a　child；　destined　to　be　a　judge；　cannot　be　put　off　so　easily。　　And　besides；　there　was　at　the　time　nothing　to　attract　his　eyes。　　And　you　cannot　keep　up　for　ever　the　pretence　of　an　imaginary　bird。

The　little　Master's　mind　was　made　up；　and　Raicharan　was　at　his　wits'　end。　〃Very　well；　baby；〃　he　said　at　last；　〃you　sit　still　in　the　cart；　and　I'll　go　and　get　you　the　pretty　flower。　　Only　mind　you　don't　go　near　the　water。〃

As　he　said　this；　he　made　his　legs　bare　to　the　knee；　and　waded　through　the　oozing　mud　towards　the　tree。

The　moment　Raicharan　had　gone；　his　little　Master　went　off　at　racing　speed　to　the　forbidden　water。　　The　baby　saw　the　river　rushing　by；　splashing　and　gurgling　as　it　went。　　It　seemed　as　though　the　disobedient　wavelets　themselves　were　running　away　from　some　greater　Raicharan　with　the　laughter　of　a　thousand　children。　　At　the　sight　of　their　mischief；　the　heart　of　the　human　child　grew　excited　and　restless。　　He　got　down　stealthily　from　the　go…cart　and　toddled　off　towards　the　river。　　On　his　way　he　picked　up　a　small　stick；　and　leant　over　the　bank　of　the　stream　pretending　to　fish。　　The　mischievous　fairies　of　the　river　with　their　mysterious　voices　seemed　inviting　him　into　their　play…house。

Raicharan　had　plucked　a　handful　of　flowers　from　the　tree；　and　was　carrying　them　back　in　the　end　of　his　cloth；　with　his　face　wreathed　in　smiles。　　But　when　he　reached　the　go…cart；　there　was　no　one　there。　　He　looked　on　all　sides　and　there　was　no　one　there。　　He　looked　back　at　the　cart　and　there　was　no　one　there。

In　that　first　terrible　moment　his　blood　froze　within　him。　　Before　his　eyes　the　whole　universe　swam　round　like　a　dark　mist。　　From　the　depth　of　his　broken　heart　he　gave　one　piercing　cry；　〃Master；　Master；　little　Master。〃

But　no　voice　answered　〃Chan…na。〃　　No　child　laughed　mischievously　back；　no　scream　of　baby　delight　welcomed　his　return。　　Only　the　river　ran　on；　with　its　splashing；　gurgling　noise　as　before；as　though　it　knew　nothing　at　all；　and　had　no　time　to　attend　to　such　a　tiny　human　event　as　the　death　of　a　child。

As　the　evening　passed　by　Raicharan's　mistress　became　very　anxious。　　She　sent　men　out　on　all　sides　to　search。　　They　went　with　lanterns　in　their　hands；　and　reached　at　last　the　banks　of　the　Padma。　　There　they　found　Raicharan　rushing　up　and　down　the　fields；　like　a　stormy　wind；　shouting　the　cry　of　despair：　〃Master；　Master；　little　Master！〃

When　they　got　Raicharan　home　at　last；　he　fell　prostrate　at　his　mistress's　feet。　　They　shook　him；　and　questioned　him；　and　asked　him　repeatedly　where　he　had　left　the　child；　but　all　he　could　say　was；　that　he　knew　nothing。

Though　every　one　held　the　opinion　that　the　Padma　had　swallowed　the　child；　there　was　a　lurking　doubt　left　in　the　mind。　　For　a　band　of　gipsies　had　been　noticed　outside　the　village　that　afternoon；　and　some　suspicion　rested　on　them。　　The　mother　went　so　far　in　her　wild　grief　as　to　think　it　possible　that　Raicharan　himself　had　stolen　the　child。　　She　called　him　aside　with　piteous　entreaty　and　said：　〃Raicharan；　give　me　back　my　baby。　　Oh　！　　give　me　back　my　child。　　Take　from　me　any　money　you　ask；　but　give　me　back　my　child！〃

Raicharan　only　beat　his　forehead　in　reply。　　His　mistress　ordered　him　out　of　the　house。

Artukul　tried　to　reason　his　wife　out　of　this　wholly　unjust　suspicion：　〃Why　on　earth；〃　he　said；　〃should　he　commit　such　a　crime　as　that？〃

The　mother　only　replied：　〃The　baby　had　gold　ornaments　on　his　body。　　Who　knows？〃

It　was　impossible　to　reason　with　her　after　that。

II

Raicharan　went　back　to　his　own　village。　　Up　to　this　time　he　had　had　no　son；　and　there　was　no　hope　that　any　child　would　now　be　born　to　him。　　But　it　came　about　before　the　end　of　a　year　that　his　wife　gave　birth　to　a　son　and　died。

All　overwhelming　resentment　at　first　grew　up　in　Raicharan's　heart　at　the　sight　of　this　new　baby。　　At　the　back　of　his　mind　was　resentful　suspicion　that　it　had　come　as　a　usurper　in　place　of　the　little　Master。　　He　also　thought　it　would　be　a　grave　offence　to　be　happy　with　a　son　of　his　own　after　what　had　happened　to　his　master's　little　child。　　Indeed；　if　it　had　not　been　for　a　widowed　sister；　who　mothered　the　new　baby；　it　would　not　have　lived　long。

But　a　change　gradually　came　over　Raicharan's　mind。　　A　wonderful　thing　happened。　　This　new　baby　in　turn　began　to　crawl　about；　and　cross　the　doorway　with　mischief　in　its　face。　　It　also　showed　an　amusing　cleverness　in　making　its　escape　to　safety。　　Its　voice；　its　sounds　of　laughter　and　tears；　its　gestures；　were　those　of　the　little　Master。　　On　some　days；　when　　Raicharan　listened　to　its　crying；　his　heart　suddenly　began　thumping　wildly　against　his　ribs；　and　it　seemed　to　him　that　his　former　little　Master　was　crying　somewhere　in　the　unknown　land　of　death　because　he　had　lost　his　Chan…na。

Phailna　（for　that　was　the　name　Raicharan's　sister　gave　to　the　new　baby）　soon　began　to　talk。　　It　learnt　to　say　Ba…ba　and　Ma…ma　with　a　baby　accent。　　When　Raicharan　heard　those　familiar　sounds　the　mystery　suddenly　became　clear。　　The　little　Master　could　not　cast　off　the　spell　of　his　Chan…na；　and　therefore　he　had　been　reborn　in　his　own　house。

The　arguments　in　favour　of　this　were；　to　Raicharan；　altogether　beyond　dispute：

（i。）　The　new　baby　was　born　soon　after　his　little　master's　death。

（ii。）　His　wife　could　never　have　accumulated　such　merit　as　to　give　birth　to　a　son　in　middle　age。

（iii。）　　The　new　baby　walked　with　a　toddle　and　called　out　Ba…ba　and　Ma…　ma。　　There　was　no　sign　lacking　which　marked　out　the　future　judge。

Then　suddenly　Raicharan　remembered　that　terrible　accusation　of　the　mother。　〃Ah；〃　he　said　to　himself　with　amazement；