Mashi, And Other Stories

MASHI AND OTHER STORIES - Try to sleep, Jotin, it is getting late. 9 G Never mind if it is. I have not many days left. I was thinking that Mani should go to her fathers house.-I forget where he is now. Sitarampur. 9 G Oh yes Sitarampur. Send her there. She should not remain any longer near a sick man. She herself is not strong. c Just listen to him How can she bear to leave you in this state Does she know what the doctors 7 c But she can see for herself The other day she cried her eyes out at the merest hint of having to go to her fathers house. We must explain that in this statement there l The maternal aunt is addressed as Mashi. was a slight distortion of truth, to say the least of it. The actual talk with Mani was as follows -c 1 suppose, my child, you have got some news from your father I thought I saw your cousin Anath here. g Yes Next Friday will be my little sisters annaprashan ceremony. So Im thinking 9 c All right, my dear. Send her a gold necklace. It will please your mother. Im thinking of going myself. Ive never seen my little sister, and I want to ever so much. Whatever do you mean You surely dont think of leaving Jotin alone Havent you heard what the doctor says about him But he said that just now theres no special cause for Even if he did, you can see his state. c This is the first girl after three brothers, and shes a great favourite.-I have heard that its going to be a grand affair. If I dont go, mother will be very 9 c Yes, yes I dont understand your mother. 1 The annaprashan ceremony takes place when a child is first given rice. Usually it receives its name on that day. But I know very well that your father will be angry enough if you leave Jotin just now. Youll have to write a line to him saying that there is no special cause for anxiety, and that even if I go, there will be no 9 Youre right there it will certainly be no great loss if you do go. But remember, if I write to your father, Ill tell him plainly what is in my mind. Then you neednt write. I shall ask my husband, and he will surely Look here, child, Ive borne a good deal from you, but if you do that, I wont stand it for a moment. Your father knows you too well for you to deceive him. When Mashi had left her, Mani lay down on her bed in a bad temper. Her neighbour and friend came and asked what was the matter. Look here What a shame it is Heres my only sisters annaprashan coming, and they dont want to let me go to it Why Surely youre never thinking of going, are you, with your husband so ill I dont do anything for him, and I couldnt if I tried. Its so deadly dull in this house, that I tell you frankly I cant bear it. You are a strange woman But I cant pretend, as you people do, and look glum lest any one should think ill of me. Well, tell me your plan. 9 c I must go. Nobody can prevent me. Isss What an imperious young woman you are Hearing that Mani had wept at the mere thought of going to her fathers house, Jotin was so excited that he sat up in bed. Pulling his pillow towards him, he leaned back, and said Mashi, open this window a little, and take that lamp away. 7 The still night stood silently at the window like a pilgrim of eternity and the stars gazed in, witnesses through untold ages of countless deathscenes. Jotin saw his Manis face traced on the background of the dark night, and saw those two big dark eyes brimming over with tears, as it were for all eternity. Mashi felt relieved when she saw him so quiet, thinking he was asleep. suddenly he started up, and said Mashi, you all thought that Mani was too frivolous ever to be happy in our house...