Page:Tales of Bengal (Sita and Santa Chattopadhyay).djvu/28

Tales of Bengal know whether those who will come to see the bride, belong to the bridegroom's family or not?"

Kalo's mother said, "Oh, not of the family, but only relations."

"Then do one thing. Dress your daughter in up-to-date fashion and take her to a photographer's. They will make her all right in appearance. My younger sister, she had nearly no nose and only dots for eyes, but thanks to Boron Shepad Saheb, she looked in the picture like a fairy with her wings off. He will make your daughter's high forehead and sunken cheeks absolutely charming."

On hearing this latest, Kalo turned round and greeted this novel and wonderful suggestion with one of her quiet and expressionless glances. Her mother said, "Ah Kalo, at your age too, why are you turning and twisting like a tomboy?"

Her 'aged' daughter at once assumed her former position and remained still like a stranded boat.

Tara-sundari pointed to Sobba and observed, "But, sister, do not forget to do her hair into a loose knot. If the hair refuses to stay upon the forehead, put a wet towel upon it and press it hard. Then, you are sure to have it done nicely."

Binu now took a part in the conversation and said "Didi, when you have told her all you know, why not tell her about Panchi Ghatki as well?"

Tara-sundari, who was the very picture of unflinching courage, seemed to lose a bit of her radiance at this. Still she said, "No harm in telling her. Yes, that time even I was taken in. Kanak, my youngest daughter, was too dark in complexion and so Panchi Ghatki undertook to paint her up. She said that the paint would stick till all the ceremonies were over. I, like a fool, believed her, but within Rh