Page:Broken Ties and Other Stories.pdf/35

30 ‘My little Mother, you must dress yourself up for this occasion.’

Noni bent her eyes to the ground.

‘No, no,’ said he, ‘don’t be shy, Noni. I have a great longing to see you nicely dressed, and you must satisfy my desire.’

He had specially selected some Benares silk and a bodice and veil for Noni. He gave these things to her.

Noni prostrated herself at his feet. This made Jagamohan get up hurriedly. He snatched away his feet from her embrace, and said:

‘I see, Noni, I have miserably failed in clearing your mind of all this superstitious reverence. I may be your elder in age, but don’t you know you are greater than I am, for you are my mother?’

He kissed her on her forehead and said:

‘I have had an invitation to go out, and I shall be late back this evening.’

Noni clasped his hand and said:

‘Baba, I want your blessing to-night.’

Jagamohan replied:

‘Mother, I see that you are determined to turn me into a theist in my old age. I wouldn’t give a brass farthing for a blessing, myself. Yet I cannot help blessing you when I see your face.’