Page:Karl Gjellerup - The Pilgrim Kamanita - 1911.djvu/97

 breath of the waters invite the guest to loiter there. And well-bred and ingenious games are most praiseworthy, for they exercise body and mind without straining them. I wonder whether the games are still in vogue that we used to play in my youth? What dost thou suppose, Kamanita, will be played there to-day?"

"It depends, father, whose proposal proves to be most acceptable. I know that Nimi wants to propose spraying with water."

"I don't know it," said my father.

"No; Nimi learnt it in the South, where it is all the fashion. The players fill bamboo canes with water and spray one another, and whoever becomes wettest has lost. It is very amusing. But Kolliya thinks of suggesting kadamba."

My father shook his head—

"I don't know that either."

"Oh! that is much in favour at present. The players first divide into two parties. These then attack one another, and the branches of the kadamba shrub with its great golden blossoms serve as magnificent weapons. The wounds are recognisable from the dust of the blossoms, so that the umpires are able to decide without difficulty which party has won. The game is bracing, and has something dainty about it. I myself, however, intend to propose the wedding game."

"That is a good old game," said my father, with a decided smirk, "and I am greatly delighted that thou art minded to propose it, as it is an evidence of thy sentiments. From play to earnest, the step is not an excessively long one."

As he said this, he again smirked, with such evident satisfaction that it made my very flesh creep.