of the boat backwards—you understand what all these mean, and making a nod to the God of wind for your experience, take your boat to the shore!
The same thing happened with Shaibalini's boat. Not long after dawn, the wind became very strong. The big boat could not proceed any farther against the head-wind. The men escorting Shaibalini, took it to the Ghat, at Vadrahati.
A barber woman came near the boat a little after its arrival there. She had her husband alive and was, therefore,[1] clothed in a Shari with red borders—it had also red figure-works at the corner ends. She had in her hand a small basket, containing Alta. The woman, seeing the black-bearded men on the boat, drew the veil over her face. They were looking at her in dumb surprise.
Shaibalini's food was being cooked on a Char, near by. Hindu practices were still being observed. A Brahmin was cooking for her. One cannot get anglicised in a day! Foster knew, that if
- ↑ No Hindu woman will wear a bordered Shari, far less a red bordered one with figure-works, after the death of her husband.
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