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CHAPTER XXVIII

Kamala began the next day with a feeling of lassi- tude ; the sunlight seemed to lack lustre, the river flowed languidly, and the trees on the bank drooped like tired wayfarers.

When Umesh came to assist her with her work she said wearily, "Run away, Umesh; you mustn't worry me to-day;" but Umesh was not easily repressed.

"I'm not going to worry you, mother; I've just come to grind the spices."

Later her haggard look attracted Ramesh's notice. "Are you not feeling well, Kamala?" he asked, but he received no reply. Kamala signified by an emphatic shake pf her head that she considered his inquiry super- fluous and in bad taste, and departed towards the kitchen.

Ramesh realised that every day that passed accen- tuated the complexity of his problem and that there must be no further delay in finding a solution. He came to the conclusion that if he could only unbosom himself to Hemnalini it would be easy to decide where his duty lay. After prolonged reflection he sat down to write to Hem.

He had been writing for some time and then erasing what he had written when he heard a strange voice. "May I inquire your name, sir?" and he looked up in surprise. He saw before him an elderly gentleman with a grey moustache and hair that thinned over the forehead.

Ramesh's mind had been concentrated on his letter and he could not immediately collect his scattered wits.

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