The Poison Tree: A Tale of Hindu Life in Bengal

were sitting together in the other division of the house, all occupied according to their tastes in the s

ous young one, in a voice half bursting with laughter, relates in the ears of her companions whose husbands are absent some jocose story of her husband's, to beguile the pain of separation. Some are reproaching the Grihini (house-mistress), some the Korta (master), some the neighbours; some reciting their own praises. She who may have received a gentle scolding in the morning from Surja Mukhi on account of her stupidity, is bringing forward many examples of her remarkable acuteness of understanding. She in whose cooking the flavours can never be depended upon, is dilating at great length upon her proficiency in the art. She whose husband is proverbial in the village for his ignorance, is astounding her companions by her praises of his sup

fe of

wed to come to the women's apartments to beg; accordingly, on hearing the cry "Jai Radha!" in these forbidden precincts, one of the inmates exclaimed: "What, woman! do you venture

trembling lips, well-formed nose, large lotus-eyes, pencilled brows, smooth, well-shaped forehead, arms like the lotus-stalk, and complexion like the champak flower, were rare among women.

ded, she wore a sari with a coloured border, and carried a small tambourine in

rk, made with sa

men addressed her s

y name is Haridasi. Will

r the ladies, where Kunda was teaching the little boy. Kunda was very fond of music; on hearing that the Boisnavi would sin

the old stories about Krishna; they were divided as to whether they would hear about the companions or about the separation. Some wanted to hear of his herding the cows in his youth. One shameless girl called out, "If you do not sing such an

t did not speak aloud; she whispered in t

ne as if in sport, recited in a gentle voice some few notes like the murmuring of a bee in early spring, or a bashful bride's first loving speech to her husband. Then suddenly she produced from that insignificant tambourine, as thoug

luded women understand of the method of that singing? An intelligent person would have comprehended that this perfect singing was not due to natura

es to sing again. Haridasi, looking with thirsty eyes at Kund

ISNAVI

y beauteou

ectant to

Rai! thy fe

ate thy s

come in st

Radha, kind

y feet my h

r form to

door with f

ft name it

th sudden te

lt not my

Jumna's str

y flute and

wrath, and e

f Braj I'v

ore thy fee

s round my n

tream I'll r

ng at Kunda, said, "Singing has ma

near and pour some water into my hands. I was not born a Boisnavi." By this she gave it to

They were at such a distance from the rest that words spoken gently could not be hear

he latter murmured,

Kunda replied, "

r seen your m

N

her-in-law, having lost her

y to be allowed to see you for once. She dare not show her face to the mistress of this house. Why

nection with such a relation. Therefore she merely shook her head at the Boisnavi's words an

nnot go without the

e will not let you go; it may be she will send for your Sasuri (moth

the more Kunda refused to go w

cely to the Grihini; I will come another day and take you. Mind you p

t consent; she would not

asked for contributions. At this moment Surja Mukhi came amongst them, the desult

Boisnavi from head to foo

me to sing. I never heard such beautiful singing! Will you

ome present. The Boisnavi, making a profound salute, cast one more glance at Kunda and went away. Once

my da

ney to eat, gold

your flask

ar with wa

pice prepared b

nothing else for some time. First they praised

beautiful, but her n

"Her complexi

added, "Her ha

Her forehead

, "Her lips

, "Her figure i

s bust is like that of a p

ed that the beautiful Boisnav

ever her looks may be,

ra Mukhi said the singing was coarse;

know any songs; she could not eve

he does not un

was not only extremely ugly, but that