Page:Stories of Bengalee life - Prabhat Kumar Mukerji.pdf/152

140 in the river than given them to you. For fourteen years I have done penance for the one single folly of my life. These articles of jewellery are not the wages of my sin. My father was a very rich man, and he gave me these when I was married."

"But still I feel I cannot use them, without consulting my husband first."

"Yes, ask him. Should he however disapprove, you may sell them and make over the proceeds to some Hindoo temple."

She rose to go.

Maloti, in spite of her resolution to the contrary, now fully surrendered herself to the claims of nature. Clasping the feet of the lady with both her arms, she made her obeisance and in a voice choked with tears, said—"Mamma, come again."

"May you be a Savitri, may fortune and happiness ever attend your path"—the mother sobbed out and the next moment she was gone.