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Annada Didi the water, broke her bangles of lac, and obliterated with earth the vermilion mark in the parting of her hair. As the sun rose, she went back to her hut, dressed in the garb of a widow.

She now told us for the first time that Shahji was her husband. Indra was slow to believe this. 'But are you not a Hindu, Didi?' he asked with doubt in his voice.

'Yes, I am a Brahmin's daughter,' said Didi. 'Shahji was also a Brahmin.'

Indra remained silent for a while and then said, 'Why did he lose his caste?'

'I cannot tell you just why,' she replied. 'But when he lost his caste, I too lost mine in consequence. A wife is but a partner in the husband's spiritual life. I have never done anything to lose my caste on my own account. I have never done anything forbidden.'

'I have noticed that, Didi,' said Indra, whose voice was now thick with eniotion, 'and that is why I have always wondered—pardon me, Didi, for this—how you were led into this manner of life. But now I won't be gainsaid, you must come to my home. Let us start now.'

Didi appeared to be considering something. After a long time she raised her head and said, 'I cannot go anywhere now, Indranath.'

'Why not, Didi?'

'He has left some debts. I cannot go elsewhere without paying them off.'