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THE WRECK

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thoughts had turned to her mother and he had brought out this cry of helplessness from the depths of his loving heart — Hemnalini saw it all in a flash. con- science dealt her a buffet and swept her instantly out of her absorption in her own misery. The world that had seemed to her like a dream suddenly sprang into reality and in a moment shame overwhelmed her. By an effort of will she rent asunder and cast aside the entangling net of memories in which she had wrapped herself.

"How do you feel to-day, dad?" she asked.

She was inquiring about his health! In the last few days Annada Babu had entirely forgotten that one's health could be a subject of conversation.

"How am I? There's nothing wrong with me physically, dear! I'm only worried to see how ill you're looking these days. A tough old person like me can stand a lot, but I'm afraid the shock may be too severe for a young thing like you," and he patted her gently on the shoulder.

"I say, dad," said Hemnalini, "how old was I when mother died?"

"You were only three then and had just begun to talk. I remember quite well your asking me, 'Where mother?' and my saying, 'She has gone to her daddy' — your mother's father died before you were born and you never knew him. You didn't understand what I meant and you said nothing but just stood and looked solemnly at me. Then you took me by the hand and pulled me into your mother's room. You thought that though the room was empty I should find some due there to tell me where she was. You knew that your father could do a lot but you didn't realise that when it came to matters of life and death your big daddy was as ignorant and helpless as a baby. You can realise now how helpless I am! God has given your father the capacity to love you but not

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