Page:Stories of Bengalee life - Prabhat Kumar Mukerji.pdf/158

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146
STORIES OF BENGALEE LIFE

"Now see! Did I name anyone? If you yourselves fit on the cap, how can I help it?"

"I don't think you want a lady doll; we have that in the house also."[1]

"No; I don't want a wax doll. If you would marry a real live doll and bring her home, I should be delighted, brother."

"When you see what I have brought, you will be even more delighted. It is on this account I have delayed so long in coming home. I was accumulating the money. Let us have out my cash-box, sister-in-law."

The sister-in-law, opening the chest, took out the green cloth-covered box. Binod began to search for the key in all his pockets and in each of his coats, but found it not. Then he opened the two trunks, turned their contents upside down—still no key. With a dejected look he said—"I must have left it in the carriage" and, holding his head with his hand, he fell into a seat.

To comfort him his sister-in-law said—"Never mind if the key is lost; the property is all safe. We have the box here, and will soon find the key. At worst we can only break open the box."

  1. Meaning his sister-in-law. This is meant as a compliment. "Beautiful as a lady doll" is a current Bengali expression.