Page:Tales of Bengal (Sita and Santa Chattopadhyay).djvu/27

Rh and with the corner of your sari, apply it gently to her face! And one thing more; present the girl to them just after sunset and in candle light. Tell her not to lower her face, for that makes a person look dark—understand? And if they ask to see her hand, show them the palm."

"But if they want to see the bride in daylight, what then?" asked the mother.

Tara-sundari laughed contemptuously at this fresh sign of stupidity in the woman, and said: "Of course! Mere asking will not procure a thing. Haven't you got an ounce of common sense in your head? Tell them that in your family you don't show brides in the day time. You don't, for it is forbidden. Bus! What more, who can do that which is forbidden?"

The tremendous logic and force of this argument were not lost upon the widow, who swayed her head up and down as if intoxicated with the wine of the old lady's wisdom. Binu laughed derisively and said, "Didi, you have gone clean off your head."

But Didi could not stand this new affront and burst out, "Why, what have I said wrong? It seems that one will soon be prosecuted for doing good to others!" She was apparently very pleased with herself and looked at Sobha for a supporting glance as she said: "What do you say, my dear?"

A faint smile was the only encouragement Sobha could spare; but that was enough. The woman with a sick child, who a little while ago was receiving the full benefit of Tara-sundari's "Be-helpful" nature, now embraced the opportunity to attract attention. She left the seat, which she had in an obscure corner, and ploughed her way to the front by the slow but sure process of treading upon other people's toes, and asked, "Do you Rh