'I am Shombhu. Did you call me?'
'Ask your mistress to come?'
'Ask whom?'
'Your mistress.'
'She has not yet returned.'
'Returned? From where?'
'From Sitarampur.'
'When did she go?'
'Three days ago.'
For a moment Jotin felt numb all over, and his head began to swim. He
slipped down from the pillows, on which he was reclining, and kicked
off the woollen shawl that was over his feet.
* * * * *
When Mashi came back after a long time, Jotin did not mention Mani's
name, and Mashi thought he had forgotten all about her.
Suddenly Jotin cried out: 'Mashi, did I tell you about the dream I
had the other night?'
'Which dream?'
'That in which Mani was pushing the door, and the door wouldn't open
more than an inch. She stood outside unable to enter. Now I know that
Mani has to stand outside my door till the last.'
* * * * *
Mashi kept silent. She realised that the heaven she had been building
for Jotin out of falsehood had toppled down at last. If sorrow comes,
it is best to acknowledge it.--When God strikes, we cannot avoid the
blow.
'Mashi, the love I have got from you will last through all my births.
I have filled this life with it to carry it with me. In the next birth,
I am sure you will be born as my daughter, and I shall tend you with
all my love.'
'What are you saying, Jotin? Do you mean to say I shall be born again
as a woman? Why can't you pray that I should come to your arms as a
son?'
'No, no, not a son! You will come to my house in that wonderful beauty
which you had when you were young. I can even imagine how I shall
dress you.'
'Don't talk so much, Jotin, but try to sleep.'
'I shall name you "Lakshmi."'
'But that is an old-fashioned name, Jotin!'
'Yes, but you are my old-fashioned Mashi. Come to my house again with
those beautiful old-fashioned manners.'
'I can't wish that I should come and burden your home with the
misfortune of a girl-child!'
'Mashi, you think me weak, and are wanting to save me all trouble.'
'My child, I am a woman, so I have my weakness. Therefore I have tried
all my life to save you from all sorts of trouble,--only to fail.'
'Mashi, I have not had time in this life to apply the lessons I have
learnt. But they will keep for my next birth. I shall show then what a
man is able to do. I have learnt how false it is always to be looking
after oneself.'
'Whatever you may say, darling, you have never grasped anything for
yourself, but given everything to others.'
'Mashi, I can boast of one thing at any rate. I have never been a
tyrant in my happiness, or tried to enforce my claims by violence.
Because lies could not content me, I have had to wait long. Perhaps
truth will be kind to me at last.--Who is that, Mashi, who is that?'
'Where? There's no one there, Jotin!'
'Mashi, just go and see in the other room. I thought I----'
'No, dear! I don't see anybody.'
'But it seemed quite clear to me that----'
'No, Jotin, it's nothing. So keep quiet! The doctor is coming now.'
When the doctor entered, he said:
'Look here, you mustn't stay near the patient so much, you excite him.
You go to bed, and my assistant will remain with him.'
'No, Mashi, I can't let you go.'
'All right, Baba! I will sit quietly in that corner.'
'No, no! you must sit by my side. I can't let go your hand, not till
the very end. I have been made by your hand, and only from your hand
shall God take me.'
'All right,' said the doctor, 'you can remain there. But, Jotin
Babu, you must not talk to her. It's time for you to take your
medicine.'
'Time for my medicine? Nonsense! The time for that is over. To give
medicine now is merely to deceive; besides I am not afraid to die.
Mashi, Death is busy with his physic; why do you add another nuisance
in the shape of a doctor? Send him away, send him away! It is you alone
I need now! No one else, none whatever! No more falsehood!'
'I protest, as a doctor, this excitement is doing you harm.'
'Then go, doctor, don't excite me any more!--Mashi, has he gone?...
That's good! Now come and take my head in your lap.'
'All right, dear! Now, Baba, try to sleep!'
'No, Mashi, don't ask me to sleep. If I sleep, I shall never wake.
I still need to keep awake a little longer. Don't you hear a sound?
Somebody is coming.'
V
'Jotin dear, just open your eyes a little. She has come. Look once
and see!'
'Who has come? A dream?'
'Not a dream, darling! Mani has come with her father.'
'Who are you?'
'Can't you see? This is your Mani!'
'Mani? Has that door opened?'
'Yes, Baba, it is wide open.'
'No, Mashi, not that shawl! not _that_ shawl! That shawl is a fraud!'
'It is not a shawl, Jotin! It is our Mani, who has flung herself on
your feet. Put your hand on her head and bless her. Don't cry like
that, Mani! There will be time enough for that. Keep quiet now for a
little.'