Page:The Wreck.djvu/137

THE WRECK

133

her thoughts from him was welcome and would leave him free to seek a cure for his own heartache.

While Ramesh was ruminating Kamala appeared at the door of her own cabin. Her intention was to claim Chakrabartti's company throughout the long-drawn taskless afternoon, but when the old man noticed her he exclaimed at once, "It's not good enough, my dear! no it won't do at all." Kamala could not construe this dark saying; the outburst at once surprised her and awakened her curiosity.

"Why, those shoes of course," the old man went on in answer to her inquiring look. "Ramesh Babu, this is your doing. Say what you like it's a positive im- piety. He despises his country who interposes any- thing between his feet and her sacred soil. If Ram Chandra had made Sita wear 'Dawson's' boots do you think Lakshman would have stuck to them for the fourteen years that they spent in the forests? You may laugh, Ramesh Babu ! you're not really convinced and I'm not surprised. Anything is possible with peo- ple who jump on board a steamer when they hear the whistle without troubling about her destination

"Well, Uncle," said Ramesh, "you had better de- cide where we are to disembark. Your recommenda- tion will carry more weight than a blast from a steamer's whistle."

"Dear me, you've learned very quickly how to make up your mind. Why we've only known each other for a few hours. Well, you had better get off at Ghazipur. Will you come to Ghazipur, my dear? They grow fine roses there, and that's where this old admirer of yours lives."

Ramesh looked at Kamala and she at once nodded to show that she approved of the suggestion.

Chakrabartti and Umesh now settled down for the afternoon in Kamala's cabin somewhat to her embar- rassment, leaving Ramesh disconsolate outside. The

Digitized by Gopgle.