Page:Krishna Kanta's Will.djvu/231

234 what you predicted of me, for I am, to-day, about to beg something of you.

"I am now destitute. I have spent the last three years in beggary. I went to a place of pilgrimage, and there lived on alms. Here I get none, and am dying for want of food.

"I had one refuge, my mother at Benares. But my mother is dead. I suppose you know that. So now I have no refuge, no food.

"So I thought I must once more show this guilty face in Haridrâ, or I cannot obtain food. What feeling of shame is left to one who deserted you without a cause, who lived with another woman, and even slew her? How can one who has nothing to eat feel shame? I may show my guilty face, but you are the owner of the property, the house is I yours. I have acted hostilely against you, is it likely that you will take me in? Impelled by hunger I have applied to you for help, will you grant it?"

The letter written, Gobind Lâl hesitated long, but at last posted it. In due time it reached Bhramar, who immediately