Page:Stories of Bengalee life - Prabhat Kumar Mukerji.pdf/145

Rh would rush to the front door and through a chink in it, watch with childish delight the flow of life on the platform. On this occasion she left her meal unfinished and hastened to the door. Quite an unexpected sight met her gaze. The Benares lady came out of the train and stood on the platform. A porter was taking her things out. She seemingly made some enquiry of the porter and the latter pointed with his finger towards Girindra's house.

Maloti rushed back, put away the remnants of her meal and made herself tidy. With a trembling heart she awaited the arrival of the lady. Such a train of thoughts passed through her mind within that short interval! Her little heart throbbed with delight and she prayed inwardly that her visitor might remain ignorant of her husband's suspicions towards her. All along Maloti believed her to be innocent,—now she became certain of it; were it otherwise, would she have come again of her own accord?

A minute or two later, the lady stood before Maloti. "I am so glad you have come"—she said, as she offered her pronam. The lady placed her hand affectionately on Maloti's head and blessed her silently.

Maloti then wanted to light up a fire to cook a meal for her visitor, but the latter interrupted her