Page:Stories of Bengalee life - Prabhat Kumar Mukerji.pdf/181

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That day the sky was very clear. Khoka, being put in the perambulator, was taken out for an airing by the servant. It was now two, Giribala had repeatedly desired the servant to return not later than one o'clock. Three struck, and still no Khoka. At half-past three husband and wife were greatly alarmed. They were about to send a servant in search, when a letter came from the police office Daroga requesting Kumud Nath to attend at the police station on a special matter.

First the non-return of the child, and now this police summons, filled them with fear of misfortune. Kumud Babu went out at once. Giribala wandered restlessly about the house like a stricken deer. After a time she despatched Bisua to the police station, with orders if his master's return was not immediate, to come back and tell her what was going on.

When Kumud Babu reached the thana he found a great crowd there. In the verandah, Khoka, seated in the perambulator, was crying, a policeman standing on guard. His father took him in his arms and kissed him. Khoka, satisfied, became calm. The Daroga, with a salaam, said—"Babu, you have had one great trouble; now