Page:Shubala - a child-mother (IA shubalachildmoth00soraiala).pdf/23

 journey to the Sonthal Parganahs. Black smallpox was raging in the District, and my little family living remote from the line of rail was reached by palanquin, one hot noon-day hour.

The family was much thinned, all were ill; a child of 7, pealing after smallpox, was being carried about the women's court-yard on the hip of an ancient man-servant. It was the only movement, I found, in that house of death.

"The demon who visits us," they said, "takes us away very quickly. If she leaves us, it is with holes in our faces." That they should not recognize so common a disease, seemed to me astounding. But they are a peculiarly backward people.

"This is not the visit of a demon," one said, "this is a visit of your goddess Kali" …for in that part of the country smallpox bears her name.

"Oh then," said the women, "Kali wants a sacrifice of blood." "Yes, but this time only a very little blood is asked