Page:Gora - Rabindranath Tagore.pdf/18

2 "No, it's nothing." he answered with an attempt to laugh it off, but his smile died away and it was easy to see that he was on the point of fainting.

Binoy seized hold of his arm, and turning to the anxious girl, said: "This is my house, just here, do come in."

When they had placed the old gentleman on a bed, the girl looked round for some water, and taking a pitcher sprinkled some on his face and began to fan him, saying meanwhile to Binoy: " Can you send for a doctor?"

As a doctor lived near by, Binoy sent off his servant at once to call him.

There was a mirror in the room, and standing behind the girl Binoy gazed at her reflection. From childhood he had been busy with his studies in his Calcutta home, and what little knowledge he had of the word he had gained from books. He had never known any womenfolk outside his own family circle, and the picture he now saw in the mirror fascinated him. He was not skilled in securitising the details of feminine features, but in that youthful face, bowed in affectionate anxiety, it seemed to Binoy as if a new world of tender brightness had been unfolded before him.

When, after a while, the old man opened his eyes and sighed, the girl bent down towards him and asked in a tremulous whisper: "Father, Are you hurt?"

"Where am I?" asked the old man, attempting to sit up.

But Binoy hastened to his side saying: "Don't move, please, till the doctor comes."

As he was speaking the speaking the doctor's footsteps were heard, and presently he entered. But as, on examining the patient, he found nothing seriously wrong, he left after prescribing some brandy to be given with warm milk.

On his departure the girl's father showed signs of agitation and concern, but his daughter, guessing the cause, quieted him with the assurance that she would send on the doctor's fee and the cost of the medicine when they got home. She then turned to Binoy.

What wonderful eyes! It never occurred to him to ask whether they were large or small, black or brown. At the very first glance they gave an impression of sincerity. They had no trace of either shyness or hesitation, but were full of a serene strength.

Binoy ventured haltingly: "Oh! the doctor's fee is nothing—you need not trouble—I—I will———"

But the girl's eyes, which were on him, not only prevented