INDIRA AND OTHER STORIES
fatigued. Meeting a wayfarer, I asked him how far it was to Mahespur. He stood astonished, and after a time asked me whence I had come. I told him the name of the village where the old woman dwelt. He told me that I was going away from my destination; that Mahespur was two days journey distant.
I was beside myself with fear and disappointment. I asked the man where he was going. He told me that he was on his way to the hamlet of Gaurigram hard by. Not knowing what else to do, I followed him. When we reached the village, the man asked me to whose house I was going. I said I knew no one, and would spend the night under a tree.
"Of what caste are you?" he asked.
"I am a Kayastha", I replied
He said, "I am a Brahmin. Come with me. For all your torn and dirty raiment, I can see that you are of good family. Such looks as yours are not found in humble homes."
Ah, beauty, beauty! I was growing tired of these constant allusions to my pretty looks.
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