arge Vishnuvite temple at Srirungam, near Trichinopoly. She was a proud woman, full of energy, just but strict in the performance of duties, religious as well as social. She demanded of ot

t where ceremonial was concerned. She chose the way of her ancestors and elected to travel by road as th

ivers; she was the wife of a rich silk merchant of Chirapore, carrying offerings to the big temple at Srirungam. Why did she make offerings? Was her husband sick? No; it was because her son who had been to England was returning, and she was anxious to enlist the favour of the gods so that he might be restored to her in safety. The country folk r

fts she brought were presented by her tiny grandson i

extended to the awe-inspiring mahunt-who graciously deigned to receive the offerings in person-was weighed down by the solid gold lime resting on his palm. The great man smiled as he stooped and rec

colour and pattern, veiling her lately-developed form. The eyes of the mahunt dwelt upon her as he asked a

you another grandson to rejoic

," replied Gunga in a tone tha

pilgrimage to the temple, and she must keep vigil before t

no reply, and the mahunt retired, castin

rest-houses on the road, where her attendants cooked the food and saw to her comfort. She chose a time when the weather prom

e fitted out with new clothes. The little close-fitting jackets of bright colours affected by the women were fashioned by careful tailors. Men's coats of brilliant cloth, lined with silk an

re; nor was she permitted to use the golden saffron powder that is supposed to enhance the beauty of the Indian skin. With his return all restriction of self-adornment would

men, was told off to sit by his crucible and work-table whilst he plied his bellows and his delicate styles; and the half-finished ornam

the chutneys, pickles, and preserves that would be required w

ers little dreamed of. She thought of her wedding, long ago when she was but a child. At the time the ceremonies had excited her wonder, and she had experienced a fearful pleasure in the thought that she was the centre

leave her own home. Then ensued a dull period when light household tasks instead of dolls and toys filled her life. It ended in the birth of a son. With the advent of the baby she was released from d

little crumpled olive ball of humanity was his own, his very own. From his child his eyes went to his child's mother with a light in them that she had never seen there before. She was no longer one of the mere goods and chattels of the house to help to minister to his appetite, feed him, keep his clothes in order an

could only gaze from wife to child and then back again at his wife. In his shining eyes, full of unspoken happiness, the girl might read what she ple

er to stir uneasily. She advanced and laid a hand upon his shoulder, her go

ear a long farewell. Be assured that we will keep her

ent figure, and his mother's brow

your absent husband," he whispere

s to droop under his ardent gaze; but in these latter days of progress the orthodox Hindu feels the insensible breath of the new spirit, and yields to it without a

ed. The slave waits im

r father, is impatient to be off," said the voice of hi

at followed him so wistfully. Neither husband nor wife forgot the incident. Every detail, every look and word were en

e son. If by any chance she could carry him out of hearing of the other members of the family on pretence of giving him the air, she spoke of his father, pourin

finished, Dorama stole away to the little room she had shared with her husband,

hrows himself before your honourable footsteps!' Say it! Ah, good child! It was well don

l on her ear as some order was given in

take it off! The coat is only to be

. When the coast was clear Dorama crept back, the coat hidden under her saree and her finger on her lips. The purloined garment was replaced

d her mother give them again the little room; or would the son of the house be honoured by being assigned a larger and more important chamber? Would he be altered in any way? Possibly he had grown older in appearance, stronger in limb, more manly. How the women of England must have admired him! Hateful creatures! She det

t of her musings she fell asleep, and dreamed that he had come, that he leaned ov

ted and wreaths suspended the length of the road in which they lived. Bunches of leaves and flowers were tied to the b

ies that were necessary for the restoration of caste. Gunga, in the absence of her husband in Bombay

family when one of its members is expected home after a long sojourn in foreign lands. What news the

lu's brother, Sooba, the little master, as he was called; and it announced that

sked the guru's attendant, as he waited to carry news to the great man. Gung

either by the morning or evening mail, according to the ti

ed in matters temporal

expect them?"

to Chirapore," replied the disciple. "If they leave t

nga, with a troubled expression upon her face. "If my husband remembers to go out

ved the disciple, whose life was oc

now that my lord will be nearly beside himself with delight at seeing his boy aga

eceived. It said "Disperse guests. Disconti

hless as her brother

" she c

second and

lness? Is no reason given

able mother of my

xcellency,

hout delay. He read the message more than once, but

carried out. My disciple shall tell the company of beggars who are already assembling that there will be no feasting. He had bett

?" asked Gunga, her dark eyes fixed w

erhaps, or

ead!" she cried

in which case he will arrive by the next mail boat a week later. We shall learn in time. Meanwhile, I will go on m

w clothes were packed away in camphor-wood boxes; the pickles and preserves were tied down and put in the storeroom. The women were ordered to cease grinding curry-stuffs and pounding rice. The busy household dropped into sudden inaction, and an unnatural silence r

ate. If Ananda had missed his ship surely his father would have said so. On the other hand, if there was illness or an accident to cause delay, it might easily have been told in a few words. Some my

f her abstraction. She caught him up and

father hug thee and me

g roughly handled, beat at

he hurts me like that. Let me go, or I

Could it be possible that her husband had forgotten her in that foreign country, where he had lived

as left alone, and no one heeded her; they were all too busy discussing the mystery of the message and attempting to discover its solution. Su

er. She stuffed the corner of her saree into her mouth and bit it savagely. "No, I will not die! It is the str