Soirindri. (Laughingly.) On the place where the pain is, the hand touches. As soon as his[1] College closes, he shall come home, therefore you are counting the days. Ah! my sister, your mind's words are come out.
Saralota. I say truly, my sister; I never meant that.
Soirindri. How very good-natured our Bindu Madhab is? His words are honey. When we hear his letters read, they rain like drops of nectar. I never saw such love towards one's brother as his; and also his brother shows the greatest affection for him. When he hears the name of Bindu Madhab, his heart overflows with joy, and it becomes, as it were, expanded. Also, as he is, so our Saralota is, (pressing Saralota's cheek) Saralota is as honesty itself (Saralota). Have I not brought with me my huká? I see, that as I cannot remain without it for a moment, that is the first thing which I have forgotten to bring along with me.
Enter Aduri.
Aduri, will you just go and bring me some ashes of tobacco?
Aduri. Where shall I now seek for it?
Soirindri. It is stuck on the thatched roof of the cook-room, on the right side of the steps leading into the room.
Aduri. Then, let me bring the ladder from the threshing floor; else how can I reach to the roof?
Saralota. Very well.
Soirindri. Why can she not understand our mother-in-law's word? Don't you understand what steps are, and what Dain[2] signifies?
Aduri. Why shall I become a Dain; it is my fate. As soon as a poor woman becomes old and her teeth fall out
