Page:Stories of Bengalee life - Prabhat Kumar Mukerji.pdf/27

Rh a prominent part in all public affairs have suddenlytaken ill and gone away to different places for a change of air. A Mahomedan Deputy Magistrate and his co-religionist the Special Sub-Registrar of the town have, after much effort, started a brand new association called the Anjumania Islamia, consisting of about twenty members all told, and this Association have got up an address. Unfortunately no non-official member knew enough English to read out the address at the Durbar. The good Nawab of Dacca, being apprised of this difficulty by a telegram, has forthwith sent one of his English-knowing relations to Dinajshahi to assist them in their pleasant function.

On Monday morning the people of the town beheld a curious spectacle. About ten or twelve men were busily engaged in decorating the outside of Subodh Babu's house. Quantities of jhow and deodar leaves were seen heaped on his verandah. A few freshly cut banana trees were also visible. Speedily an arch constructed of split bamboos rose over his gateway. In half an hour the arch was covered over with the beautiful foliage of the deodar. On either side of the gate a banana tree was implanted. At the foot of each tree stood a new ghurra full of water, freshly painted over in yellow. Wreathes of marigold encircled each window facing the street. The outside wall was