Very well. Have you traced that mistake ?

Im scrutinizing the vouchers, sir. I will find it out within an hour .

FORTY-FIVE A MONTH 147.

It was nine oclock when he went home. Shanta had already slept. Her mother said, She wouldnt even change her frock, thinking that any moment you might be coming and taking her out. She hardly ate any food ; and wouldnt lie down for fear of crumpling her dress .

Venkat Raos heart bled when he saw his child sleeping in her pink frock, hair combed, and face powdered, dressed and ready to be taken out.

Why should I not take her to the night show ?

He shook her gently and called,

Shanta, Shanta.

Shanta kicked her legs and cried, irritated at being disturbed. Mother whispered, Dont wake her, and patted her back to sleep.

Venkat Rao watched the child for a moment.

I.

dont know if it is going to be possible for me to take her out at all you see they are giving me an increment he wailed.

20.

DASI THE BRIDEGROOM.

HIS name was Dasi. In all the Extension there was none like him an uncouth fellow with a narrow tapering head, bulging eyes, and fat neck ; below the neck he had an immense body, all muscle. G.o.d had not endowed him with very fluent speech. He gurgled and lisped like an infant. His age was a mystery. It might be anything between twenty and fifty. He lived in a house in the last street. It was a matter of perpetual speculation how he was related to the master of the house. Some persons said he was a younger brother, and some said he had been a foundling brought up by the gentleman. Whatever it was it was not a matter which could be cleared by Pasi himself for, as I have already said, he could not even say how old he was. If you asked, he said a hundred one day and five on the next. In return for the food and protection he received, he served the family in his own way ; he drew water from the well from dawn till midday, chopped wood, and dug the garden.

Dasi went out in the afternoon. When he stepped out scores of children followed him about shouting and jeering. Hawkers and pa.s.sers-by stopped to crack a joke at his expense. There was particularly a group in a house nicknamed Mantapam. In the front porch of the house were gathered all day a good 148 DASI THE BRIDEGROOM 149.

company of old men ; persons who had done useful work in their time but who now found absolutely nothing to do at any part of the day. They were ever on the look out for some excitement or gossip. To them Dasi was a source of great joy. The moment Dasi was sighted they would shout, Hey, fellow, have you fixed up a bride ?

This question never failed to draw Dasi in, for he thought very deeply and earnestly of his marriage. When he came and squatted in their midst on the floor they would say, The marriage season is closing, you must hurry up, my dear fellow.

Yes, yes, Dasi would reply.

I am going to the priest. He has promised to settle it today.

Today ?

Yes, tonight I am going to be married. They said so.

Who ?

My uncle .

Who is your uncle ?

My elder brother is my uncle. I am in his house and draw water from his well. See how my hand is all the skin is gone . He would spread out his fingers and show his palms. They would feel his palms and say, Hardened like wood ! Poor fellow ! This wont do, my dear fellow, you must quickly marry and put an end to all this .

Dasis eyes would brighten at this suggestion, and his lips would part in a happy smile showing an enormous front tooth. Everyone would laugh at it, and he, too, would sway and rock with laughter.

And then the question, Where is your bride ?

She is there in Madras in Madras .

What is she like ?

i 5o DASI THE BRIDEGROOM She has eyes like this, said Dasi, and drew a large circle in the air with his finger.

What is the colour of her skin ?

Very, very white.

Has she long hair ?

Dasi indicated an immense flow of tresses with his hand.

Is she very good looking ?

She is yes, yes.

Dasi hid his face in his hand, looked at the group through a corner of his eye and said shyly, Yes, yes, I also like her.

Where have you the money to marry ?

They have to give me three thousand rupees, replied Dasi.

He means that his wages have acc.u.mulated, some one explained obligingly.

When he went home he was asked where he had been and he said, My marriage. And then he went and sat down in the shed on his mat, his only possession in the world. He remained there brooding over his marriage till he was called in to dine, late in the night. He was the last to eat because he consumed an immense quant.i.ty of rice, and they thought it a risk to call him in before the others had eaten. After food he carried huge cauldrons of water and washed the kitchen and dining-hall floor. And then he went to his mat and slept till dawn, when he woke up and drew water from the well.

For years out of count this had been going on.

Even his life had a tone and rhythm of its own. He never seemed to long for anything or interfere in anybodys business ; never spoke to others except when spoken to ; never so much as thought he was being DASI THE BRIDEGROOM 151 joked at ; he treated everyone seriously ; when the Extension School children ran behind him jeering he never even showed he was aware of their presence ; he had no doubt the strength of an ox, but he had also the forbearance of Mother Earth ; nothing ever seemed to irritate him .

The little cottage in the third street which had remained vacant from time immemorial suddenly shed its To Let notice. Along with the newspaper and the letters, the train one morning brought a film star from Madras, called Bamini Bai a young person all smiles, silk and powder. She took up her abode in the little cottage.

Very soon the Extension folk knew all about her.

She was going to stay in Malgudi a considerable time training herself under a famous musician of the town.

She had her old mother staying with her. The Extension folk had also a complete knowledge of her movements. She left home early in the morning, returned at midday, slept till three oclock, went out on a walk along the Trunk Road at five oclock, and so on.

At the Mantapam they told Dasi one day, Dasi, your wife has arrived.

Where ?

asked Dasi. He became agitated, and swallowed and struggled to express all the anxiety and happiness he felt. The company a.s.sumed a very serious expression and said, Do you know the house in the next street, the little house . ?

Yes, yes.

She is there. Have you not seen her ?

Dasi hid his face in his hands and went away.

He went to the next street. It was about one oclock in the afternoon. The film star was not to be seen.

i 5a DASI THE BRIDEGROOM Dasi stood on the road looking at the house for some time. He returned to the Mantapam. They greeted him vociferously.

How do you like her ?

Dasi replied, My eyes did not see her, the door would not open.

Try to look in through the window. You will see her.

I will see through the window, said Dasi, and started out again.

No, no, stop. It is no good. Listen to me.

Will you do as I say ?

Yes, yes.

You see, she goes out every day at five oclock.

You will see her if you .go to Trichy Road and wait.

Dasis head was bowed in shyness. They goaded him on, and he went along to the Trunk Road and waited. He sat under a tree on the roadside. It was not even two oclock, and he had to wait till nearly six. The sun beat down fully on his face. He sat leaning against a tree trunk and brooded. A few cars pa.s.sed raising dust, bullock carts with jingling bells, and villagers were moving about the highway; but Dasi saw nothing and noticed nothing. He sat looking down the road. And after all she came along.

Dasis throat went dry at the sight of her. His temples throbbed, and sweat stood out on his brow.

He had never seen anything like her in all his life.