Page:Stories of Bengalee life - Prabhat Kumar Mukerji.pdf/121

Rh The hours wore on. No arrangements were being made to cook the evening meal. Nobody had any appetite. The Doctor himself was suffering from a head-ache. He was lying down on a sofa. His daughter was applying eau-de-cologne and water to the handkerchief with which his head was bandaged. His daughter-in-law was fanning him.

Somebody was heard shouting outside, "Doctor Babu—Doctor Babu—"

The servant Shew Ratan went out to see who it was. He returned and said—"There is somebody who wants you to go and see a patient, Sir."

"Tell him I am unwell this evening. He should fetch some other doctor,"—said Babu Hara Govind.

"Yes, sir,"—and the servant went out.

Half-an-hour passed. Again there was a shout—"Doctor Babu—Doctor Babu."

Shew Ratan went out again. Coming back, he said—"The same man has returned, Sir. He says he wouldn't leave this time without seeing you."

"All right. Show him in,"—said the Doctor with some annoyance.

The ladies retired. The man entered, bowing ceremoniously.