the hungry stones and other stories-第22章
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Ganesh； for the credit of the family； was quite ready to bear all the blame without a word。
One of the company usually said at this point： 〃Never mind； Thakur Dada。 Please don't trouble to look for it。 This tobacco we're smoking will do quite well。 The other would be too strong。〃
Then Thakur Dada would be relieved； and settle down again； and the talk would go on。
When his guests got up to go away； Thakur Dada would accompany them to the door； and say to them on the door…step： 〃Oh； by the way； when are you all coming to dine with me？〃
One or other of us would answer： 〃Not just yet； Thakur Dada； not just yet。 We'll fix a day later。〃
〃Quite right；〃 he would answer。 〃Quite right。 We had much better wait till the rains come。 It's too hot now。 And a grand rich dinner such as I should want to give you would upset us in weather like this。〃
But when the rains did come； every one careful not to remind him of his promise。 If the subject was brought up； some friend would suggest gently that it was very inconvenient to get about when the rains were so severe； that it would be much better to wait till they were over。 And so the game went on。
His poor lodging was much too small for his position； and we used to condole with him about it。 His friends would assure him they quite understood his difficulties： it was next to impossible to get a decent house in Calcutta。 Indeed； they had all been looking out for years for a house to suit him； but； I need hardly add； no friend had been foolish enough to find one。 Thakur Dada used to say； after a long sigh of resignation： 〃 Well； well； I suppose I shall have to put up with this house after all。〃 Then he would add with a genial smile： 〃But； you know； I could never bear to he away from my friends。 I must be near you。 That really compensates for everything。〃
Somehow I felt all this very deeply indeed。 I suppose the real reason was； that when a man is young stupidity appears to him the worst of crimes。 Kailas Babu was not really stupid。 In ordinary business matters every one was ready to consult him。
But with regard to Nayanjore his utterances were certainly void of common sense。 Because； out of amused affection for him； no one contradicted his impossible statements； he refused to keep them in bounds。 When people recounted in his hearing the glorious history of Nayanjore with absurd exaggerations he would accept all they said with the utmost gravity； and never doubted； even in his dreams； that any one could disbelieve it。
II
When I sit down and try to analyse the thoughts and feelings that I had towards Kailas Babu I see that there was a still deeper reason for my dislike。 I will now explain。
Though I am the son of a rich man； and might have wasted time at college； my industry was such that I took my M。A。 degree in Calcutta University when quite young。 My moral character was flawless。 In addition； my outward appearance was so handsome； that if I were to call myself beautiful； it might be thought a mark of self…estimation； but could not be considered an untruth。
There could be no question that among the young men of Bengal I was regarded by parents generally as a very eligible match。 I was myself quite clear on the point； and had determined to obtain my full value in the marriage market。 When I pictured my choice； I had before my mind's eye a wealthy father's only daughter； extremely beautiful and highly educated。 Proposals came pouring in to me from far and near； large sums in cash were offered。 I weighed these offers with rigid impartiality； in the delicate scales of my own estimation。 But there was no one fit to be my partner。 I became convinced； with the poet Bhabavuti； that
In this worlds endless time and boundless space One may be born at last to match my sovereign grace。
But in this puny modern age； and this contracted space of modern Bengal； it was doubtful if the peerless creature existed as yet。
Meanwhile my praises were sung in many tunes； and in different metres； by designing parents。
Whether I was pleased with their daughters or not； this worship which they offered was never unpleasing。 I used to regard it as my proper due； because I was so good。 We are told that when the gods withhold their boons from mortals they still expect their worshippers to pay them fervent honour； and are angry if it is withheld。 I had that divine expectance strongly developed in myself。
I have already mentioned that Thakur Dada had an only grand…daughter。 I had seen her many times； but had never mistaken her for beautiful。 No thought had ever entered my mind that she would be a possible partner for myself。 All the same； it seemed quite certain to me that some day ox other Kailas Babu would offer her； with all due worship； as an oblation at my shrine。 Indeed…this was the secret of my dislike…I was thoroughly annoyed that he had not done it already。
I heard he had told his friends that the Babus of Nayanjore never craved a boon。 Even if the girl remained unmarried； he would not break the family tradition。 It was this arrogance of his that made me angry。 My indignation smouldered for some time。 But I remained perfectly silent； and bore it with the utmost patience； because I was so good。
As lightning accompanies thunder； so in my character a flash of humour was mingled with the mutterings of my wrath。 It was； of course； impossible for me to punish the old man merely to give vent to my rage； and for a long time I did nothing at all。 But suddenly one day such an amusing plan came into my head； that I could not resist the temptation of carrying it into effect。
I have already said that many of Kailas Babu's friends used to flatter the old man's vanity to the full。 One； who was a retired Government servant； had told him that whenever he saw the Chota Lord Sahib he always asked for the latest news about the Babus of Nayanjore； and the Chota Lard had been heard to say that in all Bengal the only really respectable families were those of the Maharaja of Burdwan and the Babus of Nayanjore。 When this monstrous falsehood was told to Kailas Balm he was extremely gratified； and often repeated the story。 And wherever after that he met this Government servant in company he would ask； along with other questions：
〃Oh！ erby the way； how is the Chota Lord Sahib？ Quite well； did you say？ Ah； yes； I am so delighted to hear it I And the dear Mem Sahib； is she quite well too？ Ah； yes！ and the little children…are they quite well also？ Ah； yes I that's very goad news！ Be sure and give them my compliments when you see them。〃
Kailas Balm would constantly express his intention of going some day and paying a visit to the Sahib。
But it may be taken for granted that many Chota Lords and Burro Lords also would come and go； and much water would pass down the Hoogly； before the family coach of Nayanjore would be furnished up to pay a visit to Government House。
One day I took Kailas Babu aside； and told him in a whisper： 〃Thakur Dada； I was at the Levee yesterday； and the Chota Lord happened to mention the Babes of Nayanjore。 I told him that Kailas Balm had come to town。 Do you know； he was terribly hurt because you hadn't called。 He told me he was going to put etiquette on one side； and pay you a private visit himself this very afternoon。〃
Anybody else could have seen through this plot of mine in a moment。 And； if it had been directed against another person； Kailas Balm would have understood the joke。 But after all he had heard from his friend the Government servant； and after all his own exaggerations； a visit from the Lieutenant…Governor seemed the most natural thing in the world。 He became highly nervous and excited at my news。 Each detail of the coming visit exercised him greatly …most of all his own ignorance of English。 How on earth was that difficulty to be met？ I told him there was no difficulty at all： it was aristocratic not to know English： and； besides； the Lieutenant…Governor always brought an interpreter with him； and he had expressly mentioned that this visit was to be private。
About mid…day； when most of our neighbours are at work； and the rest are asleep； a carriage and pair stopped before the lodging of Kailas Babu。 Two flunkeys in livery came up the stairs； and
