Page:Broken Ties and Other Stories.pdf/161

 these modern times, cynical enough to despise such a gift. And when Baidyanath, the night before the festival, gave these boats to his boys, they became wild with delight.

On hearing their shouts Sundari came in, and at the sight of these gifts flew into a fury of rage, and, seizing the toys, threw them out of the window.

The younger child began to scream with disappointment, and his mother, giving him a resounding box on the ears, said: ‘Stop your silly noise.’

The elder boy, when he saw his father’s face, forgot his own disappointment, and with an appearance of cheerfulness said: ‘Never mind, father, I will go and fetch them first thing in the morning.’

Next day Baidyanath agreed to go to Benares, He took the children in his arms, and kissing them good-bye, left the house.

The house at Benares belonged to a client of his wife’s uncle, and for that reason perhaps the price was fairly high. Baidyanath took possession of it, and began to live there alone. It was situated right on the river-bank, and its walls were washed by the current.