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THE WRECK 189

the first thing that comes into my head. We've known one another since we were children, and I'm quite aware how sensitive you are and how fond you are of dad." And he departed in quest of his father.

Annada was sitting in his room. His conscience had been troubling him as he pictured Jogendra bully- ing his sister, and he had been on the point of rising to interrupt their conversation when Jogendra en- tered. He waited for his son to begin.

"Dad, Hem has agreed to marry," Jogendra began. "Perhaps you think that I put a good deal of pres- sure on her to obtain her consent, but I didn't as a matter of fact. She won't object now to marry Ak- shay if only you tell her distinctly that she must do it"

"Am I to tell her?"

"Yes; you can hardly expect her to come of her own accord and say, 'Am I to marry Akshay?' If you hesitate to speak to her yourself you can authorise me to communicate your orders to her."

"Certainly not!" exclaimed Annada Babu at once. "I'll say to her myself what there is to be said; but why are you in such a hurry? I think we should wait for a few days."

"No, dad; if we wait, something is sure to come in the way. We can't go on like this any longer."

None of the family could cope with Jogendra when he was in earnest; he would never take his hand from the plough and even Annada went in inward fear of him.

"All right, I'll speak to her," he said, with the idea of shelving the question.

"No time like the present, dad," said Jogendra; "she's sitting there waiting for you. Try to get it settled to-day."

"Well, you wait here, Jogen, and I'll see her alone."