Page:Broken Ties and Other Stories.pdf/116

 Nothing could be seen of the deafening movements which resounded within the depths of the darkness, and made the sky, like a blind child, break into shivers of fright. Out of the bamboo thickets pierced a scream as of some bereaved giantess, From the mango groves burst the cracking and crashing of breaking timber. The river-side echoed with the deep thuds of falling masses from the crumbling banks. Through the bare ribs of our dilapidated house the keen blasts howled and howled like infuriated beasts.

On such a night the fastenings of the human mind are shaken loose. The storm gains entry and plays havoc within, scattering into disorder its well-arranged furniture of convention, tossing about its curtains of decorous restraint in disturbing revealment. I could not sleep. But what can I write of the thoughts which assailed my sleepless brain? They do not concern this story.

‘Who is that?’ I heard Satish cry out all of a sudden in the darkness.

‘It is I.—Damini,’ came the reply. ‘Your windows are open, and the rain is streaming in. I have come to close them.’

As she was doing this, she found Satish had got out of his bed. He seemed to stand and hesitate,