Page:Chandra Shekhar.djvu/55

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Chandra Shekhar

Shaibalini would not slip out of his hands, or commit suicide, she would surely one day sit at a dinner-table and take English dishes with relish. He thought, he should not be impatient; for, impatience would certainly mar all prospects. Considering all these, Foster, as advised by his servants, had engaged a Brahmin cook to accompany Shaibalini. The Brahmin was cooking and a maid-servant was there to assist him. The barber woman came to that maid-servant and said, "Where do you come from, please?" The maid-servant got out of her temper—no wonder, as she drew her pay from an Englishman—and said, "We come from Hilly—Delhi—Mecca, what does it matter to you, wretched woman?" She felt awkward at this and said, "Well, I don't mean anything wrong. I am a barber woman—I am only enquiring if my services be required by any lady in your boat." The maid-servant was pacified a little and said, "All right, let me enquire." She then went to Shaibalini to ask her if she would have her feet painted with Alta. No matter for what reason, Shaibalini was seeking for a diversion, and she said, "Yes, I will." The maid-servant then sent the barber woman within the

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