Page:Nil Durpan.djvu/129

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the mosquitoes done? What shall I do for the heat? I must not lie down without letting the curtains fall. (Rubs the hand on the breast of the body.) Ah! Can the mother suffer this, to see the bugs bite the child and let drops of blood come out. No one is here to prepare the bed of the child; how shall I let it lie down? I have no one for me; but all gone with my husband. (Weeps). Oh, unfortunate creature that I am; I am crying with my child here (observing the face of Nobin). The child of the sorrowful woman is now making deala[1] (kissing the mouth). No. my dear, I have forgotten all distress in seeing thee; I am not weeping (placing the pap on its mouth) my dear, suck the pap my dear, suck it. I entreated the bad woman so much, even fell at her feet, still she did not bring my husband for once, he would have gone after settling about the milk of the child. This stupid person has such a friendship with Yama, that if she had written a letter, he would have immediately given him leave. (Seeing the rope in her hand) the husband never gets salvation if on his death the widow still wears ornaments; although I wept with such loud cries, still they made me wear the Shanka[2]. I have burnt it by the lamp, still it is in my hands (cuts off the rope with her teeth). For a widow to wear ornaments it does not look good and is not tolerable. On my hands there has arisen a blister (cries). Whoever has stopped my wearing the shanka, let her shanka be taken off within three days[3] (snaps the joints of her fingers on the ground.) Let me prepare the bed myself (prepares the bed in fancy). The mat was not washed (extends her hands a little). I can't reach to the pillow; the coat of shreds is become dirty (rubs the floor with her hand). Let me make the child lie down (placing the dead body

  1. Deala: It sometimes happens, that during sleep the child cries or laughs; that is called, the deala of the child.
  2. An ornament made of shell for the wrists of married women.
  3. That is, let the woman who has made me a widow become a widow herself within three days.

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