9

Just then, from the floor below, came the cry: "Mahin-da! Mahin-da!"

"Good heavens, who is it? Come up, come up!" Mahendra called back.

Hearing that it was Bihari, Mahendra's spirits lifted. Since the wedding, Bihari had sometimes come as a hindrance to their happiness --- today that very hindrance seemed the one thing needed. Asha, too, felt some relief at Bihari's coming. Seeing her pull her sari over her head and rise quickly, Mahendra said: "Where are you going? It is nobody else --- it is only Bihari."

"Let me go and see to some refreshment for our brother-in-law," said Asha.

The arrival of something to be done was enough to lift a little of Asha's heaviness of spirit. Asha remained standing with her sari drawn over her head, wanting to hear news of her mother-in-law. She had not yet exchanged a word directly with Bihari. Bihari entered and said at once: "My God --- what an idyll I have blundered into! Have no fear, Bouthon --- stay where you are; I am going." Asha looked at Mahendra's face.

Mahendra asked: "Bihari, what news of Ma?"

"Why bring up Ma and aunts tonight, my friend?" said Bihari.

"There is plenty of time for that. Such a night was not made for sleep, nor for mothers and aunts!" Bihari was turning to go when Mahendra seized him forcibly and made him sit down.

"Bouthon," said Bihari, "I wish it to be on record that it is not my fault --- I was dragged here by force. The sin belongs to Mahin-da; let his curse not fall on me." It was precisely because she could not answer back that Asha found all of this extremely trying.

Bihari was tormenting her on purpose.

"I observe the condition of the house," said Bihari.

"Has the time not yet come to bring Ma home?"

"By all means --- we have been waiting for her very moment," said Mahendra.

"A short letter telling her so will take you very little time," said Bihari, "and her happiness will be without limit. Bouthon --- I appeal to you: spare Mahin-da those two minutes. That is my only request." Asha, in anger, walked away --- with tears falling.

"What an auspicious hour for you two to have met," said Mahendra.

"No peace was ever made between you --- you have only been at odds from the first."

"Your mother has already spoilt you," said Bihari, "and now your wife is beginning to spoil you too. It is because I cannot bear to watch that I say a word or two when the occasion arises."

"And what good does it do?" said Mahendra.

"It does no particular good to you," said Bihari.

"It does a certain amount of good to me."