Page:The Wreck.djvu/135

THE WRECK

131

Chakrabartti observed his hesitation and went on: "You must forgive me, but I have already learnt from a most reliable source that she is on board. Your good lady happened to be cooking when my own hunger led me in the direction of the kitchen. I said to her, " Madam, you mustn't be shy of me. I'm "Uncle Chak- rabartti" of the west-country.' What a perfect little housewife she is! I went on to say, 'I see you're in possession of the kitchen; Tve no one to look after me and I hope you won't deny me my share of the good things.' She smiled so sweetly that I knew she would be kind to me and that my troubles were over. You know, I always look out an auspicious day in the almanac before I set off on a journey, but I don't strike such luck as this every time! I see you're busy, so I shan't intrude on you any longer. If you'll allow me I'll go and lend a hand to the little lady. She mustn't soil her pretty hands with the tongs while I'm there. Now don't get up, please. You just go on with your writing. I know how to introduce myself and tak- ing leave of Ramesh "Uncle Chakrabartti" strolled off towards the kitchen.

"There's a glorious smell coming from this place," he remarked as he entered. "One can tell it's fish-pilao before one tastes it. I must make you some butter- milk, though. It's only people living in the heat of the north-west that can make a good job of buttermilk. I know what you're thinking — you're wondering what the old man's talking about and how he can make but- termilk without tamarinds! Well, you won't need to bother about tamarinds while I'm here. Just wait a minute while I make my preparations;" and he fetched a small pot wrapped up in paper and containing pickles. "When I've made the buttermilk you take what you want for to-day and keep the rest for four days. Then taste it and you'll see that Uncle Chakrabartti makes no vain boast when he says he can prepare buttermilk.