Page:Stories from Tagore (IA storiesfromtagor00tago).pdf/249

Rh himself were all alike ready to keep up the illusion that the old magnificence was still there, if only this or that accident had not deprived them of its display.

invisible ink.] Ink which is invisible when first written with, but when heated becomes visible.

Baba, wait a little.] In Bengal daughters are often called Ma (mother) and sons Baba (father).

it became absurdly easy.] Because, after this, both the mother and her son could join in the pretence together.

lacking in proper enthusiasm.] Did not care much about the subject.

more than compensated.] The pleasure of telling the news was greater than the pain of knowing that such a sacrilege was going to take place.

with all the more deadly force.] The thrower being up above, the speed would increase all the more on the downward flight of the missile.

requiring expensive fodder.] Vanity can feed itself on the idea of self importance.

to graze at large.] Merely to feed on what is before it. He gave it extra food by paying for a number of flatterers, just as a horse is stall-fed with extra supplies of food.

turned round on him.] His vanity would be offended and he would be his enemy instead of his helper.

forced extravagance.] Kalipada had been forced by the sneers of the students to give far more than he could afford.

draw tears from the eyes.] An amusing way of saying that no burglar would ever dream of trying to rob such a room.

laid their impious hands.] Had grossly insulted,

let him climb down first.] An English metaphor meaning “let him be humble.’’

he discovered the truth.] The truth that he was a near relative of Kalipada.

grandchild’s privilege.] Especially in Bengal, a