Page:Stories of Bengalee life - Prabhat Kumar Mukerji.pdf/128

116 state of perplexity and could not decide whether to pronam her or not.

"Is this Girindra Babu's house?"—the newcomer said.

"Yes"—replied Maloti.

"Are you his wife?"

By a shake of her head Maloti indicated that it was so. Then she mustered courage to speak—"Where are you coming from, madam?"

"I am coming from Benares"—the widow sweetly replied. "I was going down home but unfortunately, while in the train, lost my ticket. They stopped me here because I must buy another. They told me that the next train was not due till midnight. Being alone in a strange place, I thought I had much better find out some Bengalee family and beg them to let me pass the time in their house. Would you mind?"

"Oh, not at all.—You are welcome, madam. Pray be seated."

At Maloti's bidding, the servant spread a durry in the verandah for them to sit on.