Page:Krishna Kanta's Will.djvu/119

122 Haramani, scenting a quarrel, shifted her wet garment from the right hand to the left, and asked, "What is it, Khirodâ? What has happened?"

Khiri proceeded to unburden her mind. "Look here," she said, "should a wretched woman of the village go to wander about the Bâbu's garden, and we, his servants, not be allowed to tell the mistress about it?"

Hara.  "What is that? What woman, then, has ventured to walk in the Bâbu's garden?"

Khiri.  "Who else goes? That creature Rohini."

Hara.  "Miserable wretch! How long has Rohini been doing that? To whose garden does she go, Khirodâ?"

Khirodâ mentioned Gobind Lâl's name. Then the two, looking knowingly at one another, went, with a jest, on their several ways. Presently Râm's mother came up; her also Khirodâ brought to a stand, inveigling her with a smile, and told her of Rohini's outrageous conduct. These two, also exchanging significant smiles, pursued their way. Thus Khirodâ, imparting her troubles to Râm's mother, to Shyam's