Page:The Globe of Gold.djvu/3

Rh The gatekeeper took down the portmanteau from the head of Kali Kanta Babu, who said, "Do not insult the Babu in that manner. He will become angry and go away."

The gatekeeper was acquainted with the son-in-law, but not with the servant, so when he heard Kali Kanta Babu speak thus he thought, "Since the son-in-law speaks of this person as 'Babu,' he must be some great man in disguise." In this faith he addressed Rama humbly, with joined hands, entreating pardon for his fault. To which Rama answered, "Well, well, send some tobacco."

Udbhab Khansama was an ancient servant of the father-in-law's household. He brought a handsomely mounted huka prepared for use, which Rama, reclining among the cushions, began to smoke. Kali Kanta, seeking the servants' rooms, enjoyed his modest hubble-bubble. Greatly amazed, Udbhab exclaimed, "What is this, Sir? why do you do thus?" Kali Kanta replied, "How can I smoke in his presence?"

Udbhab going to the inner apartments, said to his master: "The Jamai Babu (son-in-law) has arrived, Sir, and a gentleman in disguise has come with him. The Jamai Babu honours him so highly that he will not even smoke before him."

The head of the house, Nil Ratan Babu, came out in haste. Kali Kanta, seeing him, prostrated himself in the distance and moved away. Rama, coming forward, took a pinch of dust from Nil Ratan Babu's feet, and they mutually embraced. Nil Ratan thought "The companion is certainly a well-bred man, but why does the son-in-law act so strangely?"

Nil Ratan Babu sat down to address the usual welcoming inquiries to his visitor, but could make nothing at all of his replies. Meantime, lunch having been prepared in the inner apartments, a female attendant appeared to call the son-in-law to partake of it. Kali Kanta said, "Good gracious! How can I take food before the Babu has eaten? Let him be served first, then my turn will come; I will eat in your mess, Ma Thakurun."

The maidservant, hearing herself addressed in this respectful manner, thought to herself, "The Jamai Babu takes me for one of the family! Why should he not? I come of respectable people and show it in my looks. He sees all sorts and can distinguish, not like the stupid people