Page:Broken Ties and Other Stories.pdf/74

 waited till the end of our sitting. For the matter of that, the best thing clearly would have been to leave the mongoose to its own devices, thus at one stroke demonstrating my adherence to the two principal tenets of our cult,—Compassion for all creatures, and Passion for the Lord.

That is why, when Satish came up, I had to feel ashamed. I put down the pot, then and there, and tried to edge away along the path which led back to self-respect.

But Damini’s behaviour took me by surprise. She was not in the least abashed as she asked: ‘Where are you off to, Srivilas Babu?’

I scratched my head, as I mumbled: ‘I was thinking of joining the’

‘They must have finished by this time. Do sit down.’

This coming from Damini, in the presence of Satish, made my ears burn.

Damini turned to Satish. ‘I am in awful trouble with the mongoose,’ she said. ‘Last night it stole a chicken from the Mussulman quarters over there. I dare not leave it loose any longer. Srivilas Babu has promised to look out for a nice big hamper to keep it in.’

It seemed to me that it was my devotion to her