Page:Tales of Bengal (Sita and Santa Chattopadhyay).djvu/46

Tales of Bengal birth. If you become hard, he will easily forget you sooner or later. Such is man's nature. I will leave you everything that I die possessed of. You will be able to maintain yourself in decency and comfort."

At this mention of his property, I felt as if someone had struck me with stinging nettles. But without a murmur I swore the oath which he desired me to take. Then I understood how much I had taken upon myself.

The old man blessed me, "May you be born as Savitri in your next birth. The penance you will undergo in this life will wash away all your sins. Give up everything to the god; he alone can be the husband of such as you."

After that I came out of the room. I had gone in a girl, I came out a woman. I knew then that I had given you everything unknowingly. I loved you above all earthly things, so I must forget you. But the human heart knows no master. You were my friend in times of joy, but in this day of sorrow you became all the world to me. I could not forget, but I could make you forget.

I began to move away from you by imperceptible degrees. I did not want any questions and explanations. So I behaved as if my household tasks engrossed all my attention and I had no time for child's play. Even to myself I pretended that you were nothing to me but a chance playmate.

Before this I never mentioned the word marriage to you. But now I always jested about your coming marriage and your future wife. This made you angry, which made me go on the more. That day, the last day of the month of Paush it was, you came to me with a garland of flowers. As you gave it to me, you were about to say something when I interrupted you: "What a fool you are," I cried, "to be always running after thankless tasks. What's the use of presenting flowers to me? It is nothing but casting Rh