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THE WRECK

247

you too, dear; you know it isn't aversion, only my regular custom. It was a terrible blow to me when my husband's people ceased to be orthodox Hindus, but I made no protest All I said was, 'Obey your own conscience; I'm only an ignorant woman and can't give up the ways to which I have been accustomed,' " and Kshemankari brushed aside a tear.

The old lady thoroughly enjoyed loosening Hemna- lini's long tresses and braiding them afresh in some ever-novel fashion. She even went the length of un- locking her ebony chest and tricking the girl out in the bright-coloured garments that she loved. Dress- ing-up was a game in which she took heartfelt de- light. Hemnalini brought over her needlework almost every day and spent the evening in learning new methods.

Kshemankari was also very fond of reading Bengali novels and Hemnalini brought her all the books and periodicals that she possessed. Hem marvelled at the shrewdness of the old lady's comments on the stories and essays ; she had always imagined that such discrimination could only be the product of an English education. The wittiness of her discourse and the piety of her mode of life made Nalinaksha's mother appear a very wonderful woman in Hemnalini's eyes. There was nothing commonplace or conventional about her and Hemnalini's intercourse with her was a series of delightful surprises to the girl.

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