Page:The Poison Tree.djvu/75

Rh younger women, all pretending some occupation, sat down.

Surja Mukhi, examining the Boisnavi from head to foot, inquired, "Who are you?"

An aunt of Nagendra's explained: "She is a Boisnavi who came to sing. I never heard such beautiful singing! Will you let her sing for you? Sing something about the goddesses."

Haridasi, having sung a beautiful piece about Sham, Surja Mukhi, enchanted, dismissed her with a handsome present. The Boisnavi, making a profound salute, cast one more glance at Kunda and went away. Once out of the range of Surja Mukhi's eyes, she made a few gentle taps on the tambourine, singing softly—

The Boisnavi being gone, the women could talk of nothing else for some time. First they praised her highly, then began to point out her defects.