The Poison Tree: A Tale of Hindu Life in Bengal

amal Mani Dasi,

t now when I see your writing I am ashamed to send this scrawl. But of what use to be ashamed? My day is over; were it not so how should I be in this condition? What condition?-it is a thing I cannot speak of to any one; should I do so there

hy am I writing all this trash? Should a man ask this question it would be difficult to make him understand, but you being a woman will comprehend. If Kunda Nandini is in his eyes but as other women, why is he so careful not to look towards her? why take such pains to avoid speaking her name? He is conscious of guilt towards Kunda Nandini, therefore he scolds her without cause; that anger is not with her, but with himself; that scolding is not for her, but for himself. This I can understand. I who have been so long devoted to him, who within and without see only him, if I but see his shadow I can tell his thoughts. What can he hide from me? Occasionally when his mind is absent his eyes wander hither and thither; do I not know what they are seeking? If he meets it, again becoming troubled he withdraws his eyes; can I not understand that? For whose voice is he listening at meal-times when he pauses in the act of carrying food to his mouth? and when Kunda's tones reach his ear, and he fastens to eat his meal, can one not understand that? My beloved always had a gracious countenance; why is he now always so abse

k on the marriage of widows. If he who would establish the custom of marrying widows is a pandit, then who can be cal

irs of the Tote,[6] went his way. On the following day Sharbabhoum Thakur replied on the same subject.

chool in which Sa

I tell them? I have not said all yet, but hoping for some relief from you has calmed me a little. Say nothing of this to anyone; above all, I conjure you, show not this le

ja M

I may be happy once more; but how to get rid of he

Mani r

th in him; if you really cannot trust him you had better drown yourself. I, Kamal Mani, tell