The Poison Tree: A Tale of Hindu Life in Bengal

t eventime, in the hot season, the clear sky becomes suddenly veiled i

y husband's heart? His heart is firm as the hills. I am under a delusion. Perh

ing behind the purdah (a half-transparent screen) she held converse with everyone,

ll; why do you not

not know of it; I

the Babu

t is the

e you a doctor, and do

," he was about to leave; but Surja Mukhi, calling him back,

e in the house, and going to the dispensary, he composed a draught of soda, port-wine,

t. Nagendra, taking the bottle, read the inscription, and, hurling it aw

not take the medicine, at least

d, said, "What c

khi, "and see how thin you have beco

or from her, threw it dow

outer room, the Babu struck him for no fault. Surja Mukhi felt as if she had received the

ting him. At length, when he appeared, she was astonished at his looks. His face and eyes were inflamed-he had been dr

, choking down the sobs in her throat, with much

angrily, "Wha

hat is the fault, how can I? I only beg

rd! If devotion should be paid to a drunkard,

tears, since her weeping irritated her hu

word to the mistress that t

sked,

ple on the estates do just as they please. Since

will be preserved; if not, let it go to ruin. I shall be than

d carefully looked a

ve us justice," they said, "O your highness; we cannot survive the tyranny of the naib (a law office

orders to dr

and taken a rupee from him, Nagendra had cut ten rup

or, if I do, they contain but two or three lines without any meaning. Have you taken offence with me? If so, why do you not tell

ot be angry with me. I

himself: "What is this? Anxiety about money? A quarrel with s

Mukhi. It concluded thus: "Come, Kamal Mani, s

contain herself no longer. She felt

He had first tried to eat it; but, failing in that, had spread it out and was now sitting upon it. Kamal Mani, approaching her husband, brought the end of her sari round her neck, threw herself down, bending

, "Have the cucumber

ons; this time a most valu

e robbery?"

My elder brother had a broken shell in

said "Your brother's golden casket is

's wits," re

ayed with shells). "If Surja Mukhi's understanding is defective, yet with it she gained your brother's he

r letter, I perceive it is gone-else h

he letter?"

forbade my telling you all this; but while I keep it from you I am quit

tter I cannot read this letter, nor do I wish to

ered, and must be restored. There is no one that can do this except Satis

andra said: "Yes; he he is well fitted to act as physician. I understand now. He is invited to his aunt's house; if

bu only; we ar

invited?"

ied Kamal. "Who will l

's brother-in-law only that he may look after the luggage. I can

sh Chandra, and, snatching the paper on which he

iling, said, "It

, said, "I will speak

e, replied, "And I sha

sses were his special property, so when he saw them scattered in this lavish manner he stood up, supporting himself by his mother's dress, to claim his royal share, crowing joyously. How sweetly that laugh fell on the ears of Kamal Mani

una vulnerable, the latter called Krishna to his aid, who, receiving the charge of Bhagadatta on his breast, blunted the force of the weapons.[7] In lik

tion drawn from

ou really go to Govindpur

Arrange matters in the morning when you go to business, and come h

This is the season for buying l

Kamal's reply; "we t

aised another shout of joyous laughter. So Kamal's cry did not come off th

l said, "Now what

t leave; whereupon she sat down sulking. Srish went behind

ced him, saying, "Oh, deare

mbrace, when the ink transferr

aid, "If you really will not go

ll you c

mal; "if you don't go,

id not do much in linseed at that time. The other clerks have privately informed us that this

sed, remarked, "It may be so, m

rnment!" which so delighted Srish Chandra that he called to his se