Page:Stories of Bengalee life - Prabhat Kumar Mukerji.pdf/179

Rh fever. The whole day he lay senseless. In the evening Kumud Nath brought a doctor, who said the cold had affected his lungs. During two days the usual remedies were applied, but the child did not recover. He died in Giribala's lap at 2 a.m. on the 29th December.

Giribala wept long. She said—"Alas! Whose child is it? It would have been better if we had not brought it. What a mistake! Why have we been deluded thus? What can we say to the mother if she comes?"

Khoka became sad at the loss of his companion. Perpetually he asked—"Where is Buno gone?"

The whole day was spent in grieving by the husband and wife. About nine in the evening, when, after his meal, Kumud was preparing to go to rest, the voice of the postman was heard below. He gave the letters to the servant and departed; the sound of his steps became inaudible.

Kumud Nath each moment expected the servant to come upstairs, letters in hand. But he came not. Kumud Nath opened the shutters with intent to call out to him, when, along with a very cold wind, an indistinct sound as of a great scuffle reached his ear. To learn what was going on, Kumud Nath descended with a lantern. He found his servant, Bisua, holding a beautiful young