Rajlakshmi thought she ought to warn Binodini. "Look here, my child," she said, "don't be monopolising Mahin's wife in this way. You've been leading a simple village life and don't know the ways of the world these days. You're a clever girl, keep your eyes open and take care of yourself."
Binodini began to make a great show of keeping Asha at arm's length. "Who am I after all?" she would say. "People in my condition ought to know their own position—they must be prepared for anything that may happen next."
Asha begged and prayed and wept bitterly, but Binodini would not relent. Asha grew full to overflowing with her untold confidences, but Binodini would have none of them.
Meanwhile Mahendra's ardour was slackening, his passionate gaze getting shaded over with a trace of weariness. The absence of regularity and order which used to seem so amusing was gradually beginning to irritate him. Instances of Asha's deficiencies would annoy him, but he would say nothing.
But, in spite of his reticence, Asha's heart told her that their too constant intercourse had affected the dignity of their love. It was partly an element of insincerity and partly an element of self-delusion that went to make Mahendra's love ring false.
In such cases the only safety is in running away; the only remedy in separation; and with a woman's true instinct Asha sought to keep more aloof. But where else could she find refuge except with Binodini?
Mahendra aroused from love's dream, found his waking thoughts slowly turning back to his studies and his social duties. He rescued his books one by one from the most impossible places, and prepared to air and dust his college suit.
XIII
Finding Binodini obdurate, Asha was struck with a brilliant idea. "Why don't you show yourself to my husband, my Eyesore?" said she. "Why d'you keep away from him?"
"For shame!"[1] replied Binodini, briefly but firmly.
"Why?" persisted Asha. "I've heard Mother say you're one of us."
"There's no such thing as kin or alien in this world," remarked Binodini sententiously. "'Tis the feeling which makes one kin, without it the nearest is but a stranger."
Asha felt that this admitted of no reply, and that her husband had been unjustly annoyed at Binodini's presence in the house, and was wrong in the distant attitude he had taken up.
That evening Asha begged hard of her husband, "You really must make my Eyesore's acquaintance."
"How brave of you!" laughed Mahendra.
"Why, what's there to be afraid of!" asked Asha innocently.
"From what I've heard of the attractions of your friend she doesn't seem to be a safe person!"
"I'll risk that," said Asha; "but do be serious and tell me, will you or will you not make friends with her?"
Not that Mahendra had no curiosity to see Binodini. As a matter of fact, of late he occasionally found himself eager to have a glimpse of her. This uncalled-for eagerness had made him feel guilty. So he replied, "Where's the time, Chuni? When I read, there are my medical books,—when I have leisure, there's yourself. Where then do I find room for your friend!"
"She's not going to encroach on your time for study," said Asha. "I'll give up some of my share to her."
"You may choose to do so," rejoined Mahendra, "but I can't allow you to."
Mahendra had all along been trying to make out that Asha's friendship for Binodini simply evinced the want of her whole-hearted devotion to her husband. "You are not single-hearted as I am," he would claim with immense pride. Asha would not admit it, of course, and this would lead to quarrels and even tears; but Mahendra always had the best of the argument.
To-day Asha made a concession to Mahendra's proud boast and said, "All right, be friends with my Eyesore to please me."
Mahendra, having compelled Asha to recognize the superior strength of his love, graciously consented to admit Binodini to his friendship. "But see," he stipulated, "that she doesn't come bothering round too often."
Early the next morning Asha went to Binodini's room, and embraced her, while she was still in bed.
- ↑ A desire to show oneself to a young man not related would be looked upon as forwardness.
