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CHAPtER XL

As soon as Akshay had left the house Jogendra went upstairs. He found Annada Babu and Hemnalini in the sitting-room engaged in conversation. Annada looked a trifle ashamed of himself when he saw his son. He regretted his outburst at the tea-table and the temporary loss of his usual ccmposure; and he greeted Jogendra accordingly with more than his cus- tomary heartiness.

"Come along, Jogendra, come and sit down, lad!"

"Look here, dad," began Jogendra, "you and Hem- nalini never seem to stir out of the house nowadays. Staying indoors all day can't be good for you."

"Well, well," replied Annada, "we've always been stay-at-home folk. Besides, one has to cudgel one's brains for an excuse to take Hem out."

"Come now, dad," put in Hemnalini, "you mustn't put the blame on me. You know Tm quite ready to go anywhere with you."

Uncongenial though the effort was, the girl was anxious to convince them that she did not intend her secret sorrow to keep her a prisoner within four walls. She would have them believe that she took a lively in- terest in all that happened outside.

"Well, dad," said Jogendra, "there's to be a meeting to-morrow; you had better take Hem to it."

Annada was aware of Hemnalini's constitutional dis- taste for crowded public assemblies, and instead of answering he looked across at his daughter for guid- ance.

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