Page:Tales of Bengal (Sita and Santa Chattopadhyay).djvu/69

Rh decorated note paper on which to write their books. I felt an increasing desire to know where these manuscripts went and how the fortunate recipient succeeded in deciphering them. At last I could restrain myself no longer and asked Animesh outright: "Don't you want your manuscripts copied?"

Animesh turned his naturally round face almost into a circle in his excess of gravity as he replied: "Do not disturb me now, with your nonsense. You break the chain of my thoughts." I wanted to break his head for him. Chain of thoughts indeed! But just at that moment the servant entered with a telegram for me.

I opened it and found that my mother was seriously ill. I had to hurry off almost at once. Animesh was beside himself with joy. He hunted up the time-table and found out which would be the best train. I said nothing to him, but to myself I said: "Let me just return after seeing my mother out of danger. And then if I don't clear your head of all chains of thoughts about the re-marriage of Hindu widows, I will know that I have justified the name of Sushil which my fond parents gave me."

I reached home and found that though the fever had left my mother, she was still too weak to be left alone. The doctor strongly advised a thorough change of air, otherwise he would not answer for the consequences. And meanwhile Animesh would go on writing his book.

I am afraid I felt rather annoyed with mother. Could not she have fixed upon some other time to be ill? But her pale, thin face silently pleaded with me, and, angry as I was, I could not leave her and go off to Calcutta to look after Animesh. I packed the boxes and tied the bundles, grumbling profusely all the while, and started with her for a change of climate.

It matters not the least where we went. In our great hurry we could not wait to choose a suitable house. Rh