Page:Indira and Other Stories.pdf/24

 fatigued. Meeting a wayfarer, I asked him how far it was to Mahespur. He stood astonished, and after a time asked me whence I had come. I told him the name of the village where the old woman dwelt. He told me that I was going away from my destination; that Mahespur was two days journey distant.

I was beside myself with fear and disappointment. I asked the man where he was going. He told me that he was on his way to the hamlet of Gaurigram hard by. Not knowing what else to do, I followed him. When we reached the village, the man asked me to whose house I was going. I said I knew no one, and would spend the night under a tree.

"Of what caste are you?" he asked.

"I am a Kayastha", I replied

He said, "I am a Brahmin. Come with me. For all your torn and dirty raiment, I can see that you are of good family. Such looks as yours are not found in humble homes."

Ah, beauty, beauty! I was growing tired of these constant allusions to my pretty looks.