16

Bihari thought to himself: I cannot stand at a distance any longer. By whatever means, I must find a footing in the midst of all this. No one here will want me --- yet I must stay. Without waiting for invitation or welcome, Bihari began to make his way into Mahendra's encampment. He said to Binodini, "Binodin-bouthaan, this boy here --- his mother has spoiled him, his friend has spoiled him, his wife is spoiling him further. Do not join that company --- show him a new path. For pity's sake."

"That is to say ---" Mahendra began.

"That is to say," said Bihari, "a man like me, whom no one ever troubles themselves about ---"

"Spoil him," said Mahendra.

"It is no easy thing to be spoiled, my dear Bihari --- it doesn't happen on the strength of a petition alone." Binodini laughed and said, "One must have the capacity to be spoiled, Bihari-babu."

"If not by one's own merit, perhaps by the merit of the hands," said Bihari.

"Try giving me a little encouragement and see."

"Coming prepared is no use --- one must be taken unawares," said Binodini.

"What do you say, dear Sand-in-the-Eye? This brother-in-law of yours --- why don't you take him in hand yourself?" Asha gave her a light push with two fingers.

Bihari did not join in the jest. That Bihari would tolerate no mockery where Asha was concerned --- this had not escaped Binodini. Bihari respected Asha, and wished to diminish Binodini --- this stung her. She turned once more to Asha and said, "This mendicant brother-in-law of yours has come begging your favour through me as his pretext --- give him a little, dear." Asha was thoroughly put out.

For a moment the colour rose in Bihari's face, but he smiled the next instant and said, "Is it only with me that you deal through deputies --- while with Mahinada all dealings are on the spot?" That Bihari had come to undo everything --- this much Binodini now understood completely.

She saw that before Bihari she must always go armed. Mahendra was annoyed. Plain speaking destroys the charm of poetry. He said in a tone slightly sharp, "Bihari, this Mahindra-babu engages in no such dealings --- what he has is enough for him."

"He may not go to it," said Bihari, "but if fate has written it, the tide comes in from outside unbidden."

"You have nothing in hand yourself," said Binodini, "but do tell us --- from which direction is your tide approaching?" --- and with a mischievous glance she nudged Asha.

Asha, much vexed, got up and left. Bihari flushed with silent anger; as he made to rise, Binodini said, "Don't lose heart, Bihari-babu --- I'll send my Sand-in-the-Eye to you." The moment Binodini left, the gathering dispersed, and Mahendra nursed his anger in silence.

Seeing Mahendra's displeased face, Bihari's long-suppressed feelings broke through. He said, "Mahinada, if you wish to ruin yourself, go ahead --- that has always been your habit. But do not destroy a pure-hearted, innocent woman who has placed her entire trust in you. I say it now, and I say it again --- do not ruin her." As he spoke, Bihari's voice became thick.

Mahendra said in suppressed rage, "Bihari, I cannot make head or tail of what you are saying. Leave off riddles and speak plainly."

"I will speak plainly," said Bihari.

"Binodini is deliberately drawing you toward dishonour, and you, in your blindness, are stepping in that direction like a fool." Mahendra rose thundering and said, "That is a lie. If you look at a woman of good family with such unworthy suspicion, you have no business setting foot inside these women's apartments." At this very moment Binodini came in with a smile, carrying a plate of sweetmeats which she set before Bihari.

"What is this?" said Bihari.

"I have no appetite."

"That cannot be," said Binodini.

"You must have just a little something sweet before you go."

"So my petition has been granted," said Bihari with a laugh.

"The honours have begun." Binodini smiled with a certain quiet amusement and said, "When you are a brother-in-law, the claim of the relation has some force. Where one may demand, why beg? You are welcome to seize what affection is your due. What do you say, Mahendra-babu?" Mahendra-babu was for the moment without speech.

"Bihari-babu," said Binodini, "are you too shy to eat, or too angry? Shall I call someone else?"

"There is no need," said Bihari.

"What I have received is more than enough."

"Truly?" said Binodini.

"One cannot get the better of you. Even a sweetmeat cannot close your mouth." That night Asha expressed her anger to Mahendra on the subject of Bihari.

Mahendra, for once, did not laugh it off --- he joined in wholeheartedly. The following morning Mahendra went to Bihari's house and said, "Bihari, whatever one may say, Binodini is not exactly family --- when you come in, she seems to find it a little uncomfortable."

"Is that so?" said Bihari.

"Then it won't do to continue. If she objects, I won't go in when she is there." Mahendra was satisfied.

He had not expected this disagreeable business to be settled so easily. Mahendra is afraid of Bihari. That same day Bihari went to the women's quarters and said, "Binodin-bouthaan, I must ask your forgiveness."

"Why, Bihari-babu?" said Binodini.

"Mahendra tells me," said Bihari, "that you are uncomfortable when I appear before you in the inner apartments. I have come to beg your pardon and take my leave."

"That cannot be, Bihari-babu," said Binodini.

"I am here today and gone tomorrow --- why should you leave on my account? Had I known there would be such trouble, I should never have come here at all." With these words she turned her face pale, as if suppressing tears, and left the room in rapid steps.

For a moment Bihari thought: By my false suspicion I have done Binodini an unjust wrong. That evening Rajlakshmi came in a state of distress and said, "Mahin, Bipin's wife insists on going back home."

"Why, Ma," said Mahendra, "is she in any way uncomfortable here?"

"Not at all," said Rajlakshmi.

"She says that a vigorous young widow like herself should not stay so long in another's house --- people will talk."

"Is this house another's then?" said Mahendra with some bitterness.

Bihari was sitting nearby --- Mahendra cast a reproachful look in his direction. The remorseful Bihari thought: Yesterday my words had something of a censure in them --- Binodini has perhaps taken offence at that. Husband and wife both took umbrage with Binodini simultaneously.

"You consider us strangers, do you!" said one.

"After all this time --- now we are strangers!" said the other.

"Will you keep me here for ever, then?" said Binodini.

"Is that something within our power?" said Mahendra.

"Then why have you stolen our hearts in this way?" said Asha.

Nothing was settled that day.

"No, my dear," said Binodini, "it is better not to deepen attachments for a day or two." And as she spoke she raised her anxious eyes toward Mahendra's face.

The next day Bihari came and said, "Binodin-bouthaan, why are you speaking of going? Have I done something wrong --- is this your punishment?" Turning her face a little away, Binodini said, "You have done no wrong, Bihari-babu --- the fault is in my fate."

"If you go," said Bihari, "I shall always feel that you have gone in anger at me." Binodini turned to Bihari with eyes full of gentle entreaty and said, "Tell me yourself --- is it right for me to stay?" Bihari was caught.

How could he say it was right for her to stay? He said, "Of course you will have to go eventually --- but a few days more would do no harm, surely." Binodini lowered her eyes and said, "You are all urging me to stay --- it is hard for me to go against your wishes. But you are doing me great wrong." As she spoke, large tears rolled swiftly down from beneath her long, dark lashes.

Bihari, moved by those silent, streaming tears, cried out, "In the few days you have been here, you have won every heart by your virtue --- that is why no one can bear to let you go. Do not take it ill, Binodin-bouthaan --- who would willingly send away such a Lakshmi?" Asha was sitting in a corner, her veil drawn; she put her anchal to her eyes and wiped them repeatedly.

After this, Binodini raised the subject of going no more.