Page:Stories of Bengalee life - Prabhat Kumar Mukerji.pdf/160

148 The children brought one a cup, another a glass, the third an open water vessel, and seated themselves. When the tea was brewed, sugar and milk were mixed with it in the jug. Then, placing a strainer over the mouth of the jug, Bou Didi poured out the tea. Whether the tea reached the children's inside or no, great waves of it played over the floor.

 

Atul Ghosh, Zemindar of the neighbouring village, had a daugher fourteen years old, still unmarried. Binod Bihari, a young man of their of their own caste and of good family, accomplished and unmarried, had just arrived. What might not eventually result from these facts?

On the afternoon of that day, Ghosh Mahashoi sent a messenger to Bijai Mitra with a proposal. Bijai returned for answer that if such a thing should come about, it would give him pleasure: that he would inquire what his family and Binod thought of the proposal. The family said—"We have seen the maiden; there is nothing objectionable about her. If they are not too stingy with the dowry there will be no opposition, and the marriage might take place this April."

Even if a maiden has been seen a thousand times, yet, if a proposal of marriage be made for