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CHAPTER XXXV

Uncle himself left for Allahabad a day or two later on a visit to his eldest daughter Bidhu.

On the morning of his departure Kamala invited Sailaja to a picnic meal with her at the new house,

and Saila joined her there after giving Bipin his break- fast and seeing him off to the city.

The two friends set to work and with Umesh's help prepared a meal under the nim tree. When break- fast was over they settled down for a day-long talk under the tree. The cool shade, the tempered sunshine, and the view over the river seemed to Kamala a won- derful setting to their conversation, and the purpose- less longing that had found place in her heart became as remote as the kites that circled around in the sky above them, looking like specks in the blue.

The afternoon was still- young when Saila bestirred herself; her husband would soon be back from the office and she must go.

"Could you not depart for once from your usual custom?" asked Kamala; but Saila merely smiled and shook her head while she fondled Kainala's chin. When leaving she enjoined on Kamala to return before dark.

The sun was still above the horizon when Kamala

finished her housework. She wrapped a shawl round

her head and shoulders and settled down again under the nim tree to watch the sun sinking behind the high bank across the river, where a few fishing-boats were moored with masts silhouetted against the glowing sky.

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