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Srikanta 'Of course you can. But my life is such an insignificant little thing that there is no reason for you to be at all greedy about it.'

'Well.' said Piari, breaking into laughter, 'it's not a bad thing that you know your value after all!' But the next instant she became grave, and said, 'Joking apart, now that you are all right, more or less, when do you think you will go?'

At first I did not quite catch her meaning. I answered gravely, 'There is no great need for me to go anywhere. So I am thinking of staying here for some time longer.'

'But,' said Piari, 'my son often comes from Bankipur nowadays. If you stay much longer he may begin to think something.'

'Let him, then!' I exclaimed. 'Surely you are not afraid of his opinion? I tell you I'm not going to leave all this comfort and luxury before I have to.'

'Don't be absurd.' Piari remarked dryly. Suddenly she got up and left the room.

Next evening as I lay in an easy chair on the verandah to the west of my room, looking at the sunset, Banku came. I had not had an opportunity before this to have a good talk with him.

'Banku,' I asked, motioning him to a chair. 'what do you study?'

He was a very quiet, honest lad. 'Last year I passed the Matric., sir,' he said.

'Then you are at the Bankipur College now?'

'Yes, sir.'