Page:Stories of Bengalee life - Prabhat Kumar Mukerji.pdf/217

Rh lads would say—"Very good Bhabatosh Babu! When the time comes we shall see how you act. Many talk in this way. There is a great difference between speech and action."

Inflamed by these doubts, Bhabatosh would reply—"Yes, you shall see gentlemen, you shall see. With me speech and action are one."

So when his mother repeated her urgings, Bhabatosh, consenting, said—"Very well, mother, I will marry, but I wish to choose my bride."

The mother was delighted. "You wish to see your bride before you take her? Very good. There is a charming, beautiful girl I know of, just thirteen."

Startled, Bhabatosh said—"Is she so beautiful?" "Very."—the mother said.一"Her face is like that of the goddess Durga, the same nose, the same eyes, the same fine brows, with a complexion like a rose."

Bhabatosh said slowly and gravely—"I will not marry such a girl as that, mother."

"Why not?"—exclaimed the mother in astonishment. "What is the matter?"

"I will not marry a beautiful girl."

"Then, what sort of girl will you marry?"

"I will marry a dark ugly girl." Bhabatosh was firm as rock.