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THE WRECK

a man whose confidence I don't possess; but it so hap- pens now and then that one meets a fellow-creature with whom one becomes intimate at first sight. I cite that fellow with the beard — our skipper — as a witness. He'll have to admit that he looks on your little lady as a dear friend. Just ask him and if he doesn't ac- knowledge it he's no true Mussulman. When things are like that it's very hard to be brought up suddenly against a puzzle like the Telegu language. When you come to think it over, Ramesh Babu, you won't be offended any longer."

"It's because I have thought it over that I'm not offended. But whether I'm offended or not and whether I've hurt your feelings or not, the Telegu language remains the Telegu language. It's a cruel law of Nature," and Ramesh heaved a sigh.

Ramesh now began to wonder whether after all it was advisable to settle in Ghazipur. His first thought had been that their intimacy with the old man would be useful when it came to setting up house in a new place, but he now felt that there were disadvantages in having local acquaintances. If his relations with Kamala became a subject of discussion and inquiry it would go hard with her eventually. It would be safer to bury themselves in some place where all were strangers and there would be nobody to ask questions.

Accordingly on the day before the steamer was due at Ghazipur he remarked to Chakrabartti, "Uncle, I don't think Ghazipur would suit me professionally so I intend to go on to Benares."

The note of decision in Ramesh's tone amused the old man. "To be constantly changing one's plans isn't decision at all, it's indecision! However, for the pres- ent you've definitely settled on going to Benares?"

"Yes," said Ramesh curtly.

The old man went off without a word and began to pack.

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