Page:Stories of Bengalee life - Prabhat Kumar Mukerji.pdf/216

204 requests. So he had resolved that should she again urge the matter, he would consent, but he would be careful to select a bride according to his own ideal.

That Bhabatosh had independent ideas on this subject was well known to his comrades in the hostel. When the youths gathered nightly on the roof after their evening meal, this was a standing subject of discussion with them as they smoked their cigarettes of various sorts. How often had Bhabatosh said—"When I marry, if I do marry, I will take a dark ugly girl as my wife. The nice-looking girls are all full of vanity. They do not reverence their husband's parents, nor do they look up to the husband himself. Instead of being dutiful wives they are frivolous, besides that they are dressy and full of airs. Considering themselves 'beauties,' they think of nothing but how to set off their charms. They must have European soaps, scent, powder, Parsi saris and chemises, while the poor wretch of a husband must pay the bills. Then, I will not marry an educated girl. They only read novels (some even write them) and play cards, or spend the day writing love poems to their husbands. The house work is neglected, they have no time for their devotions, the children are left screaming on the floor, &c. &c." After listening to talk of this kind, some of the