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THE WRECK 8I

Jogendra. "Yes, Ramesh's wife."

Annada Babu. "l don't quite understand. What Ramesh's wife?"

Jogendra. "Our Ramesh's ! It was to be married that he went home that time."

Annada Babu. "I thought his father's death had knocked that on the head."

Jogendra. "He was married before his father died."

Annada Babu sat stroking his head, quite dumb- foundered. "In that case he can't marry our Hem!" he said after a while.

Jogendra. "And so we want to say -"

Annada Babu. "Say what you like, the fact re- mains that the preparations for the wedding are almost complete. We wrote to every one saying that it cooudn't take place this Sunday and had been put off to the following Sunday. I suppose we'll have to write now and say that it's off altogether?"

"We needn't put it off again; we need only make one change and our arrangements will hold good in every other respect," said Jogendra.

"What change could you make?" asked Annada Babu in astonishment

Jogendra, "Surely it's obvious enough. We must substitute another bridegroom for Ramesh and carry through the ceremony next Sunday as planned. Other- wise we shan't be able to show our faces in public," and Jogendra glanced at Akshay.

Akshay's eyes were bent modestly to the ground.

Annada Babu. "How are you going to find a bride- groom so soon?"

Jogendra. "You needn't be anxious on that score."

Annada Babu. "But you'll need to get Hem's consent."

Jogendra, "She's certain to consent when she hears how Ramesh has beliaved."

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