the water, broke her bangles of lac, and obliterated with earth the vermilion mark in the parting of her hair.[1] As the sun rose, she went back to her hut, dressed in the garb of a widow.
She now told us for the first time that Shahji was her husband. Indra was slow to believe this. 'But are you not a Hindu, Didi?' he asked with doubt in his voice.
'Yes, I am a Brahmin's daughter,' said Didi. 'Shahji was also a Brahmin.'
Indra remained silent for a while and then said, 'Why did he lose his caste?'
'I cannot tell you just why,' she replied. 'But when he lost his caste, I too lost mine in consequence. A wife is but a partner in the husband's spiritual life. I have never done anything to lose my caste on my own account. I have never done anything forbidden.'
'I have noticed that, Didi,' said Indra, whose voice was now thick with eniotion, 'and that is why I have always wondered—pardon me, Didi, for this—how you were led into this manner of life. But now I won't be gainsaid, you must come to my home. Let us start now.'
Didi appeared to be considering something. After a long time she raised her head and said, 'I cannot go anywhere now, Indranath.'
'Why not, Didi?'
'He has left some debts. I cannot go elsewhere without paying them off.'
- ↑ According to Hindu custom, bangles are a sign that their wearer is not a widow, and an iron bangle and the vermilion mark are signs that their wearer is a married woman.
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