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Full text of " An Astrologers Day "AN ASTROLOGER'S DAYand other stories

Most of these stories were fast published in the Hindu of

Madras ! a" #rateful to its Editor for per"ission to

reprint the" in this $olu"e

TH!S %OO& !RST ()%L!SHED Of *+,- !S (R!NTED !N GREAT %R!TA!N

OR ETR% AND S(OTT!S.OODE /()%L!SHERS0 LTD

*1 %ED ORD STREET2 STRAND2 LONDON2 . 3 !

AT THE 3HA(EL R!4ER (RESS2

Atf(O4ER2 HANTS

3ONTENTS

(AGE

* An Astrolo#er's Da5 i

6 The Missin# Mail 7

8 The Do9tor's .ord *-
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, Gate"an's Gift 6,

1 The Ro"an !"a#e 81

: The %lind Do# ,1

- ellow; eelin# 16

7 The .at9h"an :*

+ The Ti#er's 3law :-

*< The (erfor"in# 3hild -1

* * !swaran 76

*6 The E$enin# Gift +6

*8 A Sna=e in the Grass *


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6+ Gri"e and (unish"ent 6*:

8< )nder the %an5an Tree 666

AN ASTROLOGER'S DAY

()N3T)ALLY at "idda5 he opened his ba# andspread out his professional e?uip"ent2 whi9h 9on;sisted of a do@en 9owrie shells2 a s?uare pie9e of 9lothwith obs9ure "5sti9 9harts on it2 a noteboo=2 and abundle of pal"5ra writin# His forehead was re;splendent with sa9red ash and $er"ilion2 and his e5esspar=led with a sharp abnor"al #lea" whi9h was reall5an out9o"e of a 9ontinual sear9hin# loo= for 9usto"ers2but whi9h his si"ple 9lients too= to be a propheti9li#ht and felt 9o"forted The power of his e5es was9onsiderabl5 enhan9ed b5 their position pla9ed asthe5 were between the painted forehead and the dar=

whis=ers whi9h strea"ed down his 9hee=s e$en ahalf;wit's e5es would spar=le in su9h a settin# To9rown the effe9t he wound a saffron;9oloured turbanaround his head This 9olour s9he"e ne$er failed(eople were attra9ted to hi" as bees are attra9ted to9os"os or dahlia stal=s He sat under the bou#hs ofa spreadin# ta"arind tree whi9h flan=ed a path runnin#throu#h the Town Hall (ar= !t was a re"ar=ablepla9e in "an5 wa5s a sur#in# 9rowd was alwa5s"o$in# up and down this narrow road "ornin# tillni#htB A $ariet5 of trades and o99upations wasrepresented all alon# its wa5 "edi9ine sellers2 sellers

6 AN ASTROLOGER'S DAY

of stolen hardware and Cun=2 "a#i9ians2 and2 abo$e all2an au9tioneer of 9heap doth2 who 9reated enou#h dinall da5 to attra9t the whole town Ne>t to hi" in$o9iferousness 9a"e a $endor of fried #roundnut2 who#a$e his ware a fan95 na"e ea9h da52 9allin# it

%o"ba5 !9e;3rea" one da52 and on the ne>t Delhi Al"ond2 and on the third RaCa's Deli9a952

and so on and so forth2 and people flo9=ed to hi" A9onsiderable portion of this 9rowd dallied before theastrolo#er too The astrolo#er transa9ted his business

b5 the li#ht of a flare whi9h 9ra9=led and s"o=ed upabo$e the #roundnut heap nearb5 Half the en9hantB"ent of the pla9e was due to the fa9t that it did notha$e the benefit of "uni9ipal li#htin# The pla9e waslit up b5 shop li#hts One or two had hissin# #asli#hts2so"e had na=ed flares stu9= on poles2 so"e were lit upb5 old 959le la"ps2 and one or two2 li=e the astrolo#er's2"ana#ed without li#hts of their own !t was a be;wilderin# 9riss;9ross of li#ht ra5s and "o$in# shadowsThis suited the astrolo#er $er5 well2 for the si"ple


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reason that he had not in the least intended to be anastrolo#er when he be#an life and he =new no "oreof what was #oin# to happen to others than he =newwhat was #oin# to happen to hi"self ne>t "inute Hewas as "u9h a stran#er to the stars as were his inno9ent9usto"ers Yet he said thin#s whi9h pleased andastonished e$er5one that was "ore a "atter of stud52pra9ti9e2 and shrewd #uesswor= All the sa"e2 it wasas "u9h an honest "an's labour as an5 other2 and hedeser$ed the wa#es he 9arried ho"e at the end of a da5He had left his $illa#e without an5 pre$ious thou#htor plan !f he had 9ontinued there he would ha$e9arried on the wor= of his forefathers na"el52 tillin#the land2 li$in#2 "arr5in#2 and ripenin# in his 9ornfield

AN ASTROLOGERS DAY 8

and an9estral ho"e %ut that was not to be He had

to lea$e ho"e without tellin# an5one2 and he 9ould notrest till he left it behind a 9ouple of hundred "ilesTo a $illa#er it is a #reat deal2 as if an o9ean flowedbetween

He had a wor=in# anal5sis of "an=ind's troubles "arria#e2 "one52 and the tan#les of hu"an ties Lon#pra9ti9e had sharpened his per9eption .ithin fi$e"inutes he understood what was wron# He 9har#edthree pies per ?uestion2 ne$er opened his "outh till theother had spo=en for at least ten "inutes2 whi9hpro$ided hi" enou#h stuff for a do@en answers andad$i9es .hen he told the person before hi"2 #a@in#at his pal"2 !n "an5 wa5s 5ou are not #ettin# thefullest results for 5our efforts2 nine out of ten weredisposed to a#ree with hi" Or he ?uestioned !sthere an5 wo"an in 5our fa"il52 "a5be e$en a distantrelati$e2 who is not well disposed towards 5ou F Orhe #a$e an anal5sis of 9hara9ter Most of 5ourtroubles are due to 5our nature How 9an 5ou beotherwise with Saturn where he is F You ha$e ani"petuous nature and a rou#h e>terior This en;deared hi" to their hearts i""ediatel52 for e$en the"ildest of us lo$es to thin= that he has a forbiddin#e>terior

The nuts $endor blew out his flare and rose to #o

ho"e This was a si#nal for the astrolo#er to bundleup too2 sin9e it left hi" in dar=ness e>9ept for a littleshaft of #reen li#ht whi9h stra5ed in fro" so"ewhereand tou9hed the #round before hi" He pi9=ed uphis 9owrie shells and paraphernalia and was puttin#the" ba9= into his ba# when the #reen shaft of li#htwas blotted out he loo=ed up and saw a "an standin#before hi" He sensed a possible 9lient and said


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this and #o Otherwise ! will not let 5ou #o till 5oudis#or#e all 5our 9oins The astrolo#er "uttered afew in9antations and replied All ri#ht ! willspea= %ut will 5ou #i$e "e a rupee if what ! sa5 is9on$in9in# F Otherwise ! will not open "5 "outh2and 5ou "a5 do what 5ou li=e After a #ood deal ofha##lin# the other a#reed The astrolo#er said

You were left for dead A" ! ri#ht F

Ah2 tell "e "ore

A =nife has passed throu#h 5ou on9e F said theastrolo#er

Good fellow He bared his 9hest to show thes9ar .hat elseF

And then 5ou were pushed into a well nearb5 inthe field You were left for dead

! should ha$e been dead if so"e passer;b5 had not9han9ed to peep into the well2 e>9lai"ed the other2o$erwhel"ed b5 enthusias" .hen shall ! #et athi" F he as=ed2 9len9hin# his fist

!n the ne>t world2 answered the astrolo#er Hedied four "onths a#o in a far;off town You will ne$ersee an5 "ore of hi" The other #roaned on hearin#it The astrolo#er pro9eeded

Guru Na5a=

You =now "5 na"e the other said2 ta=en aba9=

: AN ASTROLOGER'S DAY

As ! =now all other thin#s Guru Na5a=2 listen9arefull5 to what ! ha$e to sa5 Your $illa#e is twoda5's Courne5 due north of this town Ta=e the ne>ttrain and be #one ! see on9e a#ain #reat dan#er to5our life if 5ou #o fro" ho"e He too= out a pin9hof sa9red ash and held it to hi" Rub it on 5ourforehead and #o ho"e Ne$er tra$el southward a#ain2and 5ou will li$e to be a hundred

.h5 should ! lea$e ho"e a#ain F the other saidrefle9ti$el5 ! was onl5 #oin# awa5 now and then toloo= for hi" and to 9ho=e out his life if ! "et hi"He shoo= his head re#retfull5 He has es9aped "5hands ! hope at least he died as he deser$ed

Yes2 said the astrolo#er He was 9rushed undera lorr5 The other loo=ed #ratified to hear it

The pla9e was deserted b5 the ti"e the astrolo#erpi9=ed up his arti9les and put the" into his ba# The


7/661

#reen shaft was also #one2 lea$in# the pla9e in dar=nessand silen9e The stran#er had #one off into the ni#ht2after #i$in# the astrolo#er a handful of 9oins

!t was nearl5 "idni#ht when the astrolo#er rea9hedho"e His wife was waitin# for hi" at the door andde"anded an e>planation He flun# the 9oins at herand said 3ount the" One "an #a$e all that

Twel$e and a half annas2 she said2 9ountin# Shewas o$erCo5ed ! 9an bu5 so"e Ca##er5 and 9o9onutto"orrow The 9hild has been as=in# for sweets for so"an5 da5s now ! will prepare so"e ni9e stuff for her

The swine has 9heated "e He pro"ised "e arupee2 said the astrolo#er She loo=ed up at hi"

You loo= worried .hat is wron# F

Nothin#

After dinner2 sittin# on the p5ol2 he told her Do5ou =now a #reat load is #one fro" "e toda5F !

AN ASTROLOGER'S DAY -

thou#ht ! had the blood of a "an on "5 hands all these5ears That was the reason wh5 ! ran awa5 fro"ho"e2 settled here2 and "arried 5ou He is ali$e

She #asped You tried to =ill

Yes2 in our $illa#e2 when ! was a sill5 5oun#ster.e dran=2 #a"bled2 and ?uarrelled badl5 one da5wh5 thin= of it now F Ti"e to sleep2 he said2 5awnin#2and stret9hed hi"self on the p5ol

6THE M!SS!NG MA!L

THO)GH his beat 9o$ered 4ina5a= Mudali Streetand its four parallel roads2 it too= hi" nearl5 si>hours before he finished his round and returned to thehead offi9e in Mar=et Road to deli$er a99ounts He

allowed hi"self to #et "i>ed up with the fortunes ofthe persons to who" he was 9arr5in# letters At No*82 &abir Street2 li$ed the "an who had 9o"e half;wa5up the road to as= for a letter for so "an5 5ears nowThanappa had seen hi" as a 5oun#ster2 and hadwat9hed hi" da5 b5 da5 #re5in# on the pial2 sittin#there and hopin# for a bi# pri@e to 9o"e his wa5 throu#hsol$in# 9rossword pu@@les No pri@e 5et2 heannoun9ed to hi" e$er5 da5 %ut don't be dis;heartened Your interest has been dela5ed this


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"onth so"ehow2 he said to another Your son atH5derabad has written a#ain2 "ada" How "an59hildren has he now F ! did not =now that 5ouhad applied for this Madras Cob 5ou ha$en't 9aredto tell "e !t doesn't "atter .hen ! brin# 5ou5our appoint"ent order 5ou "ust feed "e with 9o9onutpa5asa" And at ea9h of these pla9es he stopped fornearl5 half an hour Espe9iall5 if an5one re9ei$ed"one5 orders2 he Cust settled down ?uite ni9el52 withhis ba#s and bundles spread about hi"2 and would notrise till he #athered an idea of how and where e$er5rupee was #oin# !f it was a hot da5 he so"eti"es

7

THE M!SS!NG MA!L +

as=ed for a tu"bler of butter"il= and sat down to

enCo5 it E$er5bod5 li=ed hi" on his beat He wasa part and par9el of their e>isten9e2 their hopes2aspirations2 and a9ti$ities

Of all his 9onta9ts2 the one with whi9h he was "ostinti"atel5 bound up was No *


9/661

io THE M!SS!NG MA!L

pillar2 with a sta9= of undeli$ered letters still under hisar" Ra"anuCa" said M5 father;in;law thin=s !a" not suffi9ientl5 a9ti$e in findin# a husband for "5dau#hter He has tried one or two pla9es and failedHe thin=s ! a" $er5 indifferent Elderl5people ha$e their own an>iet52 the post"an replied

The trouble is2 said Ra"anuCa"2 that he has setapart fi$e thousand rupees for this #irl's "arria#e andis worr5in# "e to find a husband for her i""ediatel5%ut "one5 is not e$er5thin# No2 no2e9hoed the post"an unless the destined hour is athand2 nothin# 9an help

Da5 after da5 for "onths Thanappa deli$ered theletters and waited to be told the news Sa"e oldnews2 Thanappa Horos9opes do not a#ree The5 are de"andin# too "u9h E$identl5 the52

do not appro$e of her appearan9e Appearan9e She loo=s li=e a ?ueen )nless one is totall5 blind

the post"an retorted an#ril5 The seasonwould be 9losin#2 with onl5 three "ore auspi9ious dates2the last bein# Ma5 6Oth The #irl would be se$enteenin a few da5s The re"inders fro" her #randfatherwere be9o"in# fier9er Ra"anuCa" had e>haustedall the possibilities and had drawn a blan= e$er5whereHe loo=ed helpless and "iserable (ost"an2 hesaid2 ! don't thin= there is a son;in;law for "ean5where

Oh2 don't utter inauspi9ious words2 sir2 the post;"an said .hen God wills it He refle9tedfor a while and said There is a bo5 in Delhi earnin#two hundred rupees Ma=unda of Te"ple Street wasafter hi" Ma=unda and 5ou are of the sa"e sub;9aste2 ! belie$e

THE M!SS!NG MA!L **

The5 ha$e been ne#otiatin# for "onths nowO$er a hundred letters ha$e passed between the"alread5 %ut ! =now the5 are definitel5 brea=in#off !t is o$er so"e "one5 ?uestion The5

ha$e written their last "essa#e on a post9ard and ithas infuriated these people all the "ore As if post;9ards were an instru"ent of insult ! ha$e =nown"ost i"portant 9o""uni9ations bein# written e$en onpi9ture post9ards when RaCappa went to A"eri9atwo 5ears a#o he used to write to his sons e$er5 wee=on pi9ture post9ards After this di#ression he9a"e ba9= to the point ! will as= Ma=unda to #i$e"e the horos9ope Let us see Ne>t da5 hebrou#ht the horos9ope with hi" The bo5's parents


10/661

are also in Delhi2 so 5ou 9an write to the" i""ediatel5No ti"e to waste now

A ra5 of hope tou9hed Ra"anuCa"'s fa"il5

! ha$e still a hundred letters to deli$er2 but ! 9a"ehere first be9ause ! saw this Delhi post"ar= Open it and tell "e what the5 ha$e written2 saidThanappa He tre"bled with suspense Howpro"pt these people are So the5 appro$e of thephoto .ho wouldn't F A letter e$er5 da5 !"i#ht as well appl5 for lea$e till &a"a=shi's "arria#eis o$er he said another da5 You are alread5tal=in# as if it were 9o"in# off to"orrow God =nowshow "an5 hurdles we ha$e to 9ross now Li=in# aphoto does not pro$e an5thin#

The fa"il5 9oun9il was dis9ussin# an i"portant?uestion whether Ra"anuCa" should #o to Madras2ta=in# the #irl with hi"2 and "eet the part52 who 9ould

9o"e down for a da5 fro" Delhi The fa"il5 wasdi$ided o$er the ?uestion Ra"anuCa"2 his "other2and his wife none of the" had defined $iews on the

*6 THE M!SS!NG MA!L

?uestion2 but 5et the5 opposed ea9h other $ehe"entl5

.e shall be the lau#hin#;sto9= of the town2 saidRa"anuCa"'s wife2 if we ta=e the #irl out to be shownround

.hat ?ueer notions !f 5ou stand on all theseabsurd anti?uated for"alities2 we shall ne$er #et an5;where near a "arria#e !t is our dut5 to ta=e the #irlo$er e$en to Delhi if ne9essar5 !t is 5ourpleasure2 then 5ou 9an do what 5ou please wh59onsult "e F

Te"pers were at their worst2 and no pro#ress see"edpossible Ti"e was "ar9hin# The post"an had #otinto the habit of droppin# in at the end of his da5'swor=2 and Coinin# in the 9oun9il ! a" a third part5Listen to "e2 he said Sir2 please ta=e the train toMadras i""ediatel5 .hat 5ou 9annot a9hie$e b5 a

5ear's 9orresponden9e 5ou 9an do in an hour's "eetin#

Here is a letter fro" Madras2 "ada" ! a" sureit is fro" 5our husband .hat is the news F Hehanded the 9o$er to Ra"anuCa"'s wife2 and she too=it in to read He said ! ha$e so"e re#isteredletters for those last houses ! will finish "5 round2and 9o"e ba9= He returned as pro"ised

Ha$e the5 "et2 "ada" F


11/661

Yes2 &a"a=shi's father has written that the5 ha$e"et the #irl2 and fro" their tal= &a"a=shi's fatherinfers the5 are ?uite willin#

Grand news ! will offer a 9o9onut to our4ina5a=a toni#ht

%ut2 the lad5 added2 half o$erwhel"ed withhappiness and half worried2 there is this diffi9ult5.e had an idea of doin# it durin# ne>t Thai "onth

!t will be so diffi9ult to hurr5 throu#h thearran#e"ents now %ut the5 sa5 that if the "arria#e

THE M!SS!NG MA!L *8

is done it "ust be done on the twentieth of Ma5 !fit is postponed the bo5 9an't "an5 for three 5earsHe is bein# sent awa5 for so"e trainin#

The old #entle"an is as #ood as his wordI' thepost"an said2 deli$erin# an insuran9e 9o$er to Ra"a;nuCa" He has #i$en the entire a"ount You 9an't9o"plain of la9= of funds now Go ahead !'" sohapp5 5ou ha$e his appro$al More than their "one52we need their blessin#s2 sir ! hope he has sent hisheartiest blessin#s Oh 5es2 oh 5es2 repliedRa"anuCa"2 M5 father;in;law see"s to be $er5happ5 at this proposal

A fi$e;thousand;rupee "arria#e was a bi# affair forMal#udi Ra"anuCa"2 with so short a ti"e beforehi"2 and none to share the tas= of arran#e"ents2 be9a"edistrau#ht As far as it 9ould #o2 Thanappa pla9edhi"self at his ser$i9e durin# all his off hours He 9utshort his elo?uen9e2 ad$i9es2 and e>9han#es in otherhouses He ne$er waited for an5one to 9o"e up andre9ei$e the letters He Cust tossed the" throu#h awindow or an open door with a stentorian Letter2sir !f the5 stopped hi" and as=ed .hat is the"atter with 5ou F !n su9h a hurr5 2 Yes2 lea$e"e alone till the twentieth of Ma5 ! will 9o"e ands?uat in 5our house after that and he was offRa"anuCa" was in #reat tension He tre"bled withan>iet5 as the da5 approa9hed nearer !t "ust #oon s"oothl5 Nothin# should pro$e a hindran9e

Do not worr52 sir it will #o throu#h happil52 b5God's #ra9e You ha$e #i$en the" e$er5thin# the5wanted in 9ash2 presents2 and st5le The5 are #oodpeople

!t is not about that !t is the $er5 last date for the5ear !f for so"e reason so"e obstru9tion 9o"es up2


12/661

i , THE M!SS!NG MA!L

it is all finished for e$er The bo5 #oes awa5 for three5ears ! don't thin= either of us would be preparedto bind oursel$es to wait for three 5ears

!t was four hours past the Muhurta" on the da5 ofthe weddin# A ?uiet had des9ended on the #atherin#The 5oun# s"art bride#roo" fro" Delhi was seatedin a 9hair under the pandal ra#ran9e of sandal2 andflowers2 and hol5 s"o=e2 hun# about the air (eoplewere sittin# around the bride#roo" tal=in# Thanappaappeared at the #ate loaded with letters So"e 5oun#"en ran up to hi" de"andin# (ost"an Letters F He held the" off Get ba9= ! =nowto who" to deli$er He wal=ed up to the bride#roo"and held up to hi" a bundle of letters $er5 respe9tfull5

These are all #reetin#s and blessin#s fro" well;wishers2 ! belie$e2 sir2 and "5 own #o with e$er5 oneof the" He see"ed $er5 proud of perfor"in#

this tas=2 and loo=ed $er5 serious The bride#roo"loo=ed up at hi" with an a"used s"ile and "uttered

Than=s .e are all $er5 proud to ha$e 5ourdistin#uished self as a son;in;law of this house ! ha$e=nown that 9hild2 &a"a=shi2 e$er sin9e she was a da5old2 and ! =new she would alwa5s #et a distin#uishedhusband2 added the post"an2 and brou#ht his pal"sto#ether in a salute2 and "o$ed into the house todeli$er other letters and to refresh hi"self in the =it9henwith tiffin and 9offee

Ten da5s later he =no9=ed on the door and2 with a#rin2 handed &a"a=shi her first letter Ah2 s9enteden$elope ! =new it was 9o"in# when the "ail $anwas three stations awa5 ! ha$e seen hundreds li=ethis Ta=e it fro" "e %efore he has written thetenth letter he will 9o""and 5ou to pa9= up and Coinhi"2 and 5ou will #row a 9ouple of win#s and fl5 awa5

THE M!SS!NG MA!L *1

that $er5 da52 and for#et for e$er Thanappa and thisstreet2 isn't it so F &a"a=shi blushed2 snat9hed theletter fro" his hands2 and ran in to read it He said2turnin# awa5 ! don't thin= there is an5 use waitin#

for 5ou to finish the letter and tell "e its 9ontents

On a holida52 when he was sure Ra"anuCa" wouldbe at ho"e2 Thanappa =no9=ed on the door and handedhi" a 9ard Ah 9ried Ra"anuCa" %adnews2 Thanappa M5 un9le2 "5 father's brother2 is$er5 ill in Sale"2 and the5 want "e to start i";"ediatel5

!'" $er5 sorr5 to hear it2 sir2 said Thanappa2 and


13/661

handed hi" a tele#ra" Here's another

Ra"anuCa" 9ried A tele#ra" He #lan9edat it and s9rea"ed Oh2 he is dead He sat downon the pial2 unable to stand the sho9= Thanappaloo=ed e?uall5 "iserable Ra"anuCa" rallied2#athered hi"self up2 and turned to #o in Thanappasaid One "o"ent2 sir ! ha$e a 9onfession to"a=e See the date on the 9ard

Ma5 the nineteenth2 nearl5 fifteen da5s a#o

Yes2 sir2 and the tele#ra" followed ne>t da5 thatis2 on the da5 of the "arria#e ! was unhapp5 to seeit 9 %ut what has happened has happened2' !said to "5self2 and =ept it awa52 fearin# that it "i#htinterfere with the weddin#

Ra"anuCa" #lared at the post"an and said !would not ha$e 9ared to #o throu#h the "arria#e when

he was d5in# The post"an stood with bowedhead and "u"bled You 9an 9o"plain if 5ou li=e2sir The5 will dis"iss "e !t is a serious offen9eHe turned and des9ended the steps and went down thestreet on his rounds Ra"anuCa" wat9hed hi" dull5for a while and shouted (ost"an Thanappa

i: THE M!SS!NG MA!L

turned round Ra"anuCa" 9ried Don't thin= that! intend to 9o"plain ! a" onl5 sorr5 5ou ha$edone this 2

! understand 5our feelin#s2 sir2 replied the post;"an2 disappearin# around a bend

8THE DO3TOR'S .ORD

(EO(LE 9a"e to hi" when the patient was on hislast le#s Dr Ra"an often burst out2 .h59ouldn't 5ou ha$e 9o"e a da5 earlier F The reasonwas ob$ious $isitin# fee twent5;fi$e rupees2 and "ore

than that people li=ed to shir= the fa9t that the ti"ehad 9o"e to 9all in Dr Ra"an for the" there wasso"ethin# o"inous in the $er5 asso9iation As a resultwhen the bi# "an 9a"e on the s9ene it was alwa5s a?ui9= de9ision one wa5 or another There was nos9ope or ti"e for an5 =ind of wa$erin# or whitewashin#Lon# 5ears of pra9ti9e of this =ind had bred in thedo9tor a 9ertain 9urt truthfulness for that $er5 reasonhis opinion was $alued he was not a "ere do9tore>pressin# an opinion but a Cud#e pronoun9in# a


14/661

$erdi9t The patient's life hun# on his words Thisne$er undul5 worried Dr Ra"an He ne$er belie$edthat a#reeable words e$er sa$ed li$es He did notthin= it was an5 of his business to pro$ide unne9essar5dope when as a "atter of 9ourse Nature would te)the" the truth in a few hours Howe$er2 when he#li"psed the faintest si#n of hope2 he rolled up hisslee$e and stepped into the arena it "i#ht be hoursor da5s2 but he ne$er withdrew till he wrested thepri@e fro" Ta"a's hands

Toda52 standin# o$er a bed2 the do9tor felt that hehi"self needed so"eone to tell hi" soothin# lies He"opped his brow with his =er9hief and sat down in

i7 THE DO3TOR'S .ORD

the 9hair beside the bed On the bed la5 his dearest

friend in the world Gopal The5 had =nown ea9hother for fort5 5ears now2 startin# with their &inder;#arten da5s The5 9ould not2 of 9ourse2 "eet as "u9has the5 wanted2 ea9h bein# wrapped in his own fa"il5and profession O99asionall52 on a Sunda52 Gopalwould wal= into the 9onsultin# roo"2 and waitpatientl5 in a 9orner till the do9tor was free Andthen the5 would dine to#ether2 see a pi9ture2 and tal=of ea9h other's life and a9ti$ities !t was a 9lassi9friendship standin# o$er2 untou9hed b5 9han#in#ti"es2 9ir9u"stan9es2 and a9ti$ities

!n his bus5 round of wor=2 Dr Ra"an had notnoti9ed that Gopal had not 9alled in for o$er three"onths now He Cust re"e"bered it when he sawGopa(s son sittin# on a ben9h in the 9onsultin# hall2one 9rowded "ornin# Dr Ra"an 9ould not tal= tohi" for o$er an hour .hen he #ot up and was aboutto pass on to the operation roo"2 he 9alled up the5oun# "an and as=ed2 .hat brin#s 5ou here2 sir F The 5outh was ner$ous and sh5 Mother sent"e here

.hat 9an ! do for 5ou F

ather is i)

!t was an operation da5 and he was not free tillthree in the afternoon He rushed off strai#ht fro"the 9lini9 to his friend's house2 in Lawle5 E>tension

Gopal la5 in bed as if in sleep The do9tor stoodo$er hi" and as=ed Gopal's wife2 How lon# has hebeen in bed F

A "onth and a half2 do9tor


15/661

.ho is attendin# hi" F

A do9tor in the ne>t street He 9o"es down on9ein three da5s and #i$es hi" "edi9ine

THE DO3TOR'S .ORD *+

.hat is his na"e F He had ne$er heard ofhi" So"eone ! don't =now2 but ! wish he hadhad the #oodness to tell "e about it .h52 wh529ouldn't 5ou ha$e sent "e word earlier F

.e thou#ht 5ou would be bus5 and did not wishto trouble 5ou unne9essaril5 The5 were apolo#eti9and "iserable There was hardl5 an5 ti"e to be lostHe too= off his 9oat and opened his ba# He too= outan inCe9tion tube2 the needle si@@led o$er the sto$eThe si9= "an's wife whi"pered in a 9orner and

essa5ed to as= ?uestions

(lease don't as= ?uestions2 snapped the do9torHe loo=ed at the 9hildren who were wat9hin# thesterili@er2 and said2 Send the" all awa5 so"ewhere2e>9ept the eldest

He shot in the dru#2 sat ba9= in his 9hair2 and#a@ed on the patient's fa9e for o$er an hour Thepatient still re"ained "otionless The do9tor's fa9e#lea"ed with perspiration2 and his e5elids droopedwith fati#ue The si9= "an's wife stood in a 9ornerand wat9hed silentl5 She as=ed ti"idl52 Do9tor2shall ! "a=e so"e 9offee for 5ou F No2 hereplied2 althou#h he felt fa"ished2 ha$in# "issed his"idda5 "eal He #ot up and said2 ! will be ba9=in a few "inutes Don't disturb hi" on an5 a99ountHe pi9=ed up his ba# and went to his 9ar !n a?uarter of an hour he was ba9=2 followed b5 an assistantand a nurse The do9tor told the lad5 of the house2

! ha$e to perfor" an operation

.h52 wh5 F .h5 F she as=ed faintl5

! will tell 5ou all that soon .ill 5ou lea$e 5ourson here to help us2 and #o o$er to the ne>t house andsta5 there till ! 9all 5ou F

The lad5 felt #idd5 and san= down on the floor2

ao THE DO3TOR'S .ORD

unable to bear the strain The nurse attended to herand led her out


16/661

At about ei#ht in the e$enin# the patient opened hise5es and stirred sli#htl5 in bed The assistant waso$erCo5ed He e>9lai"ed enthusiasti9all52 Sir2 hewill pull throu#h The do9tor loo=ed at hi" 9oldl5and whispered ! would #i$e an5thin# to see hi"throu#h but2 but the heart

The pulse has i"pro$ed2 Sir

.ell2 well2 replied the do9tor Don't trust it!t is onl5 a false flash;up2 $er5 9o""on in these9ases He ru"inated for a while and added2 !fthe pulse will =eep up till ei#ht in the "ornin#2 it will#o on for the ne>t fort5 5ears2 but ! doubt $er5"u9h if we shall see an5thin# of it at all after twotoni#ht

He sent awa5 the assistant and sat beside the patientAt about ele$en the patient opened his e5es ands"iled at his friend He showed a sli#ht i"pro$e"ent2

he was able to ta=e in a little food A #reat feelin#of relief and Co5 went throu#h the household The5swar"ed around the do9tor and poured out their#ratitude He sat in his seat beside the bed2 #a@in#sternl5 at the patient's fa9e2 hardl5 showin# an5 si#nsof hearin# what the5 were sa5in# to hi" The si9="an's wife as=ed2 !s he now out of dan#er F .ithout turnin# his head the do9tor said2 Gi$e#lu9ose and brand5 e$er5 fort5 "inutes Cust a 9oupleof spoons will do The lad5 went awa5 to the =it9henShe felt restless She felt she "ust =now the truthwhate$er it was .h5 was the #reat "an so e$asi$e FThe suspense was unbearable (erhaps he 9ould notspea= so near the patient's bed She be9=oned to hi"fro" the =it9hen doorwa5 The do9tor rose and went

THE DO3TOR'S .ORD 6*

o$er She as=ed2 .hat about hi" now F How ishe F The do9tor bit his lips and replied2 loo=in# atthe floor2 Don't #et e>9ited )nless 5ou "ust=now about it2 don't as= now Her e5es openedwide in terror She 9lasped her hands to#ether andi"plored Tell "e the truth The do9tor replied2

! would rather not tal= to 5ou now He turned

round and went ba9= to his 9hair A terrible wailin#shot throu#h the still house the patient stirred andloo=ed about in bewilder"ent The do9tor #ot upa#ain2 went o$er to the =it9hen door2 drew it inse9urel5 and shut off the wail

.hen the do9tor resu"ed his seat the patient as=edin the faintest whisper possible2 !s that so"eone9r5in# F The do9tor ad$ised2 Don't e>ert 5ourBself You "ustn't tal= He felt the pulse !t was


17/661

alread5 a#itated b5 the e>ertion The patient as=ed2 A" ! #oin# F Don't hide it fro" "e The do9tor

"ade a depre9atin# noise and sat ba9= in his 9hairHe had ne$er fa9ed a situation li=e this !t was notin his nature to whitewash (eople atta9hed #reat$alue to his word be9ause of that He stole a loo= atthe other The patient "otioned a fin#er to drawhi" nearer and whispered2 ! "ust =now how lon# !a" #oin# to last ! "ust si#n the will !t is all read5As= "5 wife for the despat9h bo> You "ust si#n asa witness

Oh the do9tor e>9lai"ed You are e>ertin#5ourself too "u9h You "ust be ?uieter He feltidioti9 to be repeatin# it How fine it would be2he refle9ted2 to drop the whole business and runawa5 so"ewhere without answerin# an5bod5 an5?uestion The patient 9lut9hed the do9tor's wristwith his wea= fin#ers and said2 Ra"u2 it is "5 #ood

M THE DO3TOR'S .ORD

fortune that 5ou are here at this "o"ent ! 9an trust5our word ! 9an't lea$e "5 propert5 unsettledThat will "ean endless "iser5 for "5 wife and 9hildrenYou =now all about Subbiah and his #an# Let "esi#n before it is too late Tell "e

Yes2 presentl52 replied the do9tor He wal=edoff to his 9ar2 sat in the ba9= seat and refle9ted Heloo=ed at his wat9h Midni#ht !f the will was tobe si#ned2 it "ust be done within the ne>t two hours2or ne$er He 9ould not be responsible for a "essthere he =new too well the fa"il5 affairs and aboutthose wol$es2 Subbiah and his #an# %ut what9ould he do F !f he as=ed hi" to si#n the .ill2 itwould $irtuall5 "ean a death senten9e and destro5 thethousandth part of a 9han9e that the patient had ofsur$i$al He #ot down fro" the 9ar and went inHe resu"ed his seat in the 9hair The patient wasstarin# at hi" appealin#l5 The do9tor said to hi";self2 !f "5 word 9an sa$e his life2 he shall not dieThe will be da"ned He 9alled2 Gopal2 listenThis was the first ti"e he was #oin# to do a pie9e ofa9tin# before a patient2 si"ulate a feelin#2 and 9on9eal

his Cud#"ent He stooped o$er the patient and saidwith deliberate e"phasis2 Don't worr5 about thewill now You are #oin# to li$e Your heart isabsolutel5 sound A new #low suffused the patient'sfa9e as he heard it He as=ed in a tone of relief2 Do5ou sa5 so F !f it 9o"es fro" 5our lips it "ust betrue

The do9tor said2 JCuite ri#ht You are i"pro$in#e$er5 se9ond Sleep in pea9e You "ust not e>ert


18/661

5ourself on an5 a99ount You "ust sleep $er5 soundl5! will se9 5ou in the "ornin# The patient loo=ed athi" #ratefull5 for a "o"ent and then dosed his e5es

THE DO3TOR'S .ORD 68

The do9tor pi9=ed up his ba# and went out shuttin#the door softl5 behind hi"

On his wa5 ho"e he stopped for a "o"ent at hishospital2 9alled out his assistant2 and said2 ThatLawle5 E>tension 9ase You "i#ht e>pe9t the 9ollapsean5 se9ond now Go there with a tube of inhand2 and #i$e it in 9ase the stru##le is too hard atthe end Hurr5 upI'

Ne>t "ornin# he was ba9= at Lawle5 E>tension atten ro" his 9ar he "ade a dash for the si9= bed

The patient was awa=e and loo=ed $er5 well Theassistant reported satisfa9tor5 pulse The do9tor puthis tube at his heart2 listened for a while2 and told thesi9= "an's wife2 Don't loo= so unhapp52 lad5 Yourhusband will li$e to be ninet5 .hen the5 were#oin# ba9= to the hospital2 the assistant sittin# besidehi" in the 9ar as=ed2 !s he #oin# to li$e2 sir F

! will bet on it He will li$e to be ninet5 Hehas turned the 9orner How he has sur$i$ed thisatta9= will be a pu@@le to "e all "5 life2 repliedthe do9tor

,GATEMAN'S G! T

* !A-HEN a do@en persons ?uestion openl5 or sl5l544 a "an's sanit52 he be#ins to entertain seriousdoubts hi"self This is what happened to e>;#ate"anGo$ind Sin#h And 5ou 9ould not bla"e the publi9either .hat 9ould 5ou do with a "an who 9arriedabout in his hand a re#istered postal 9o$er and as=ed

(lease tell "e what there is inside F The ob$iousanswer was Open it and see He see"edhorrified at this su##estion Oh2 no2 no2 9an't do

it2 he de9lared and "o$ed off to another friend anda9?uaintan9e E$er5where the su##estion was thesa"e till he thou#ht e$er5one had turned "ad Andthen so"ebod5 said !f 5ou don't li=e to open it and5et want to =now what is inside 5ou "ust ta=e it tothe K;ra5 !nstitute This was su##ested b5 ane>;9o"pounder who li$ed in the ne>t street

.hat is itF as=ed Go$ind Sin#h !t wase>plained to hi" .here is it F He was dire9ted


19/661


20/661

be ?uite ade?uate if a #od spo=e to one onl5 on9e ortwi9e in a lifeti"e !n "o"ents of 9onte"plationSin#h's "ind dwelt on the words of his "aster2 andon his personalit5

His life "o$ed on s"oothl5 The pension to#etherwith what his wife earned b5 washin# and sweepin# ina 9ouple of houses was ?uite suffi9ient for hi" Heate his food2 went out and "et a few friends2 slept2 andspent so"e e$enin#s sittin# at a 9i#arette shop whi9hhis 9ousin owned This tenor of life was disturbed onthe first of e$er5 "onth when he donned his old=ha=i suit2 wal=ed to his old offi9e2 and salaa"ed theA99ountant at the 9ounter and re9ei$ed his pensionSo"eti"es if it was 9losin# he waited on the roadsidefor the General Mana#er to 9o"e down2 and salutedhi" as he #ot into his 9ar

There was a lot of ti"e all around hi"2 an i""ensesea of leisure !n this state he "ade a new dis9o$er5

about hi"self2 that he 9ould "a=e fas9inatin# "odelsout of 9la5 and wood dust The dis9o$er5 9a"esuddenl52 when one da5 a 9hild in the nei#hbourhoodbrou#ht to hi" its little doll for repair He not onl5repaired it but "ade a new thin# of it This dis9o$er5pleased hi" so "u9h that he $er5 soon be9a"eabsorbed in it His ba9=5ard #a$e hi" a plentifulsuppl5 of pliant 9la52 and the 9arpenter's shop ne>tto his 9ousin's 9i#arette shop sawdust He pur9hasedpaint for a few annas And lo he found his hours#lidin# He sat there in the front part of his ho"e2bent o$er his 9la52 and brou#ht into e>isten9e a"iniature uni$erse all the 9olours of life were there2all the for"s and 9reatures2 but of the si@e of his"iddle fin#er whole $illa#es and towns were there2

GATEMAN'S G! T 6-

all the persons he had seen passin# before his offi9ewhen he was sentr5 there that be##ar wo"an 9o"in#at "idda52 and that 9u9u"ber $endor he had thee5e of a 9artoonist for hu"an fa9es E$er5thin# wentdown into 9la5 !t was a wonderful "iniature re;fle9tion of the world and he "ounted the" neatl5on thin wooden sli9es2 whi9h enhan9ed their attra9ti$e;

ness He =ept these in his 9ousin's shop and the5attra9ted hu#e 9rowds e$er5 da5 and sold $er5 bris=l5More than the sales Sin#h felt an e9stas5 when hesaw ad"irin# 9rowds 9lusterin# around his handiwor=

On his ne>t pension da5 he 9arried to his offi9e astreet s9ene /whi9h he ran=ed as his best02 and handedit o$er the 9ounter to the A99ountant with the re?uest

Gi$e this to the Sahib2 please


21/661

All ri#ht2B' said the A99ountant with a s"ile !t9reated a sensation in the offi9e and disturbed theroutine of offi9e wor=in# for nearl5 half an hour Onthe ne>t pension da5 he 9arried another "odel/9hildren at pla50 and handed it o$er the 9ounter

Did Sahib li=e the last one F

Yes2 he li=ed it

(lease #i$e this one to hi" and he passed ito$er the 9ounter He "ade it a 9on$ention to 9arr5on e$er5 pension da5 an offerin# for his "aster2 andea9h ti"e his #reatest reward was the A99ountant'ssto9= repl5 to his ?uestion .hat did the Sahibsa5 F

He said it was $er5 #ood

At last he "ade his "asterpie9e A "odel of his

offi9e fronta#e with hi"self at his post2 a 9ar at theentran9e2 and the 9hief #ettin# down this 9o"posite"odel was so realisti9 that while he sat loo=in# at it2he see"ed to be 9arried ba9= to his offi9e da5s He

67 GATEMAN'S G! T

passed it o$er the 9ounter on his pension da5 and it9reated a $er5 #reat sensation in the offi9e ellow25ou ha$e not left 5ourself out2 either people 9riedand loo=ed ad"irin#l5 at Sin#h A sudden fear sei@edSin#h and he as=ed The "aster won't be an#r52! hopeF

No2 no2 wh5 should he be F said the A99ountant2and Sin#h re9ei$ed his pension and went ho"e

A wee= later when he was sittin# on the f5ol=neadin# 9la52 the post"an 9a"e and said Are#istered letter for 5ou

or "e An5 letter would ha$e upset Sin#h he had re9ei$ed less than three letters in his lifeti"e2and ea9h ti"e it was a torture for hi" till the 9ontentswere read out Now a re#istered letter This was his

first re#istered letter Onl5 law5ers send re#isteredletters2 isn't it so F

)suall52 said the post"an(lease ta=e it ba9= ! don't want it2 said Sin#hShall ! sa5 'Refused'F as=ed the post"an

No2 no2 said Sin#h ust ta=e it ba9= and sa55ou ha$e not found "e

That ! 9an't do said the post"an loo=in#


22/661

serious

Sin#h see"ed to ha$e no option but to s9rawl hissi#nature and re9ei$e the pa9=et He sat #loo"il5#a@in# at the floor His wife who had #one out andCust returned saw hi" in this 9ondition and as=ed

.hat is itF His $oi9e 9ho=ed as he replied !thas 9o"e He flun# at her the re#istered letter

.hat is itF she as=ed He said How should !=now (erhaps our ruin He bro=e downHis wife wat9hed hi" for a "o"ent2 went in to attendto so"e do"esti9 dut5 and returned2 still found hi"

9a

GATEMAN'S G! T 6+

in the sa"e 9ondition2 and as=ed .h5 not openit and see2 as= so"eone to read it F He threw up hisar"s in horror .o"an2 5ou don't =now what 5ouare sa5in# !t 9annot be opened The5 ha$e perhapswritten that "5 pension is stopped2 and God =nowswhat else the Sahib has said

.h5 not #o to the offi9e and find out fro" the" F

Not ! ! will ne$er show "5 fa9e there a#ain replied Sin#h ! ha$e li$ed without a sin#le

re"ar= bein# "ade a#ainst "e2 all "5 life Now Heshuddered at the thou#ht of it ! =new ! was#ettin# into trouble when ! "ade that offi9e "odel

After deeper refle9tion he said E$er5 ti"e! too= so"ethin# there2 people 9rowded round2 stoppedall wor= for nearl5 an hour That "ust also ha$erea9hed the Sahib's ears

He wandered about sa5in# the sa"e thin#2 with theletter in his po9=et He lost taste for food2 wanderedabout un=e"pt2 with his hair standin# up li=e a haloan una99usto"ed si#ht2 his 5ears in "ilitar5 ser$i9eha$in# #i$en hi" a habitual tidiness His wife lost allpea9e of "ind and be9a"e "iserable about hi" He

stood at the 9ross;roads2 9lut9hin# the letter in hishand He =ept as=in# e$er5one he 9a"e a9ross

Tell "e2 what there is in this F but he would notbroo= the su##estion to open it and see its 9ontents

So forthwith Sin#h found his wa5 to the 3it5 K;ra5!nstitute at Ra9e 3ourse Road As he entered the#ate he obser$ed do@ens of 9ars par=ed alon# thedri$e2 and a Gur=ha wat9h"an at the #ate So"epeople were sittin# on sofas readin# boo=s and Cournals


23/661

The5 turned and threw a brief loo= at hi" andresu"ed their studies As Sin#h stood un9ertainl5at the doorwa52 an assistant 9a"e up and as=ed

SO GATEMAN'S G! T

.hat do 5ou want F Sin#h #a$e a salute2 heldup the letter un9ertainl5 and "uttered 3an !=now what is inside this F The assistant "ade theob$ious su##estion %ut Sin#h replied The5 said5ou 9ould tell "e what's inside without openin# it The assistant as=ed .here do 5ou 9o"e fro" F Sin#h e>plained his life2 wor= and outloo= and 9on;9luded !'$e li$ed without re"ar= all "5 life !=new trouble was 9o"in# There were tears onhis 9hee=s The assistant loo=ed at hi" 9uriousl5 ass9ores of others had done before2 s"iled2 and said

Go ho"e and rest You are not all ri#ht Go2

#o ho"e

3an't 5ou sa5 what is in this F Sin#h as=edpatheti9all5 The assistant too= it in his hand2e>a"ined it and said Shall ! open it F No2no2 no2 Sin#h 9ried and snat9hed it ba9= There wasa loo= of terror in his e5es The asse"bl5 loo=ed upfro" their pa#es and wat9hed hi" with "ild a"use;"ent in their e5es The assistant =indl5 put his ar"son his shoulder and led hi" out You #et well first2and then 9o"e ba9= ! tell 5ou 5ou are not allri#ht

.al=in# ba9= ho"e2 he pondered o$er it .h5are the5 all beha$in# li=e this2 as if ! were a "ad"an F .hen this word 9a"e to his "ind2 hestopped abruptl5 in the "iddle of the road2 and 9ried

Oh That's it2 is that itF Mad Mad Heshoo= his head #leefull5 as if the full truth had Custdawned upon hi" He now understood the loo=s thatpeople threw at hi" Oh oh he 9ried aloudHe lau#hed He felt a 9urious relief at this reali@ation

! ha$e been "ad and didn't =now it He 9asthis "ind ba9= E$er5 little a9tion of his for the last

GATEMAN'S G! T 8*

so "an5 da5s see"ed "ad parti9ularl5 the doll;"a=in# .hat sane "an would "a=e 9la5 dollsafter 61 5ears of respe9table ser$i9e in an offi9e F Hefelt a tre"endous freedo" of li"bs2 and didn't feel itpossible to wal= at an ordinar5 pa9e He wanted to fl5He swun# his ar"s up and down and ran on with awhoop He ran throu#h the Mar=et Road .henpeople stood about and wat9hed he 9ried He52


24/661

don't lau#h at a "ad "an2 for who =nows2 5ou willalso be "ad when 5ou 9o"e to "a=e 9la5 dolls2 and9har#ed into their "idst with a war 9r5 .hen hesaw 9hildren 9o"in# out of a s9hool2 he felt it wouldbe ni9e to a"use their 5oun# hearts b5 beha$in# li=ea ti#er So he fell on his hands and =neels and9rawled up to the" with a #rowl

He went ho"e in a terrif5in# 9ondition His wifewho was #rindin# 9hill5 in the ba9=5ard loo=ed upand as=ed .hat is this F His hair was 9o$eredwith street dust his bod5 was splashed with "udHe 9ould not answer be9ause he 9ho=ed with "irthas he said an95 what has happened

.hat is itF

!'" "ad2 "ad He loo=ed at his wor=;bas=etin a 9orner2 s9ooped out the 9la5 and "ade a hel"etof it and put it on his head Ran#ed on the floor

was his latest handiwor= After his last $isit to theoffi9e he had been en#a#ed in "a=in# a "odel $illa#e!t was a resplendent #roup a dun road2 red tiles2#reen 9o9onut trees swa5in#2 and the 9olour of thesarees of the $illa#e wo"en 9arr5in# water pots Hederi$ed the inspiration for it fro" a "e"or5 of his own$illa#e da5s !t was the "ost enCo5able pie9e ofwor= that he had so far underta=en He li$ed in a=ind of e9stas5 while doin# it ! a" #oin# to =eep

86 GATEMAN'S G! T

this for "5self A "e"ento of "5 father's $illa#e2he de9lared ! will show it at an e>hibition2 wherethe5 will #i$e "e a "edal ' + He #uarded it li=e atreasure when it was wet he ne$er allowed his wifeto wal= within ten 5ards of it &eep off2 we don'twant 5our foot dust for this $illa#e

Now in his "adness2 he loo=ed down on it Heraised his foot and sta"ped e$er5thin# down into a"ulti;9oloured Ca" The5 were still half wet Hesaw a don=e5 #ra@in# in the street He #athered upthe Ca" and flun# it at the don=e5 with the re"ar=

Eat this if 5ou li=e !t is a ni9e $illa#e And

he went out on a se9ond round This was a ?uieteroutin# He strode on at an e$en pa9e2 breathin#deepl52 with the 9la5 hel"et on2 out of whi9h peepedhis #re5 hair2 his ar"s lo9=ed behind2 his fin#ers9lut9hin# the fateful letter2 his fa9e tilted towards thes=5 He wal=ed down the Mar=et Road2 with afeelin# that he was the sole o99upant of this #lobe his "adness had #i$en hi" a sense of li"itless freedo"2stren#th and buo5an95 The re"ar=s and Ceers ofthe 9rowds #apin# at hi" did not in the least tou9h


25/661

hi"

.hile he wal=ed thus2 his e5e fell on the bulb of atall street la"p %ulb of the si@e of a (apa5a fruit he "uttered and 9hu9=led !t had been a lon#9herished desire in hi" to flin# a stone at it now hefelt2 in his Co5ous and free 9ondition2 that he was freefro" the tra""els of 9on$ention and need not pushba9= an5 in9lination He pi9=ed up a pebble andthrew it with #ood ai" The shatterin# noise of #lasswas as "usi9 to his ears A poli9e"an put his handon his shoulder .h5 did 5ou do it F Sin#hloo=ed indi#nant ! li=e to 9ra9= #lass (apa5a fruit2

GATEMAN'S G! T 88

that is allI * was the repl5 The 9onstable said 3o"e to the station

Oh2 5es2 when ! was in Mesopota"ia the5 put "eon half ration on9e2 he said2 and wal=ed on to thestation He paused2 tilted his head to the side andre"ar=ed This road is not strai#ht A few9arria#es and 959les were 9o"in# up to hi" Hefound that e$er5thin# was wron# about the" The5see"ed to need so"e ad$i9e in the "atter He stoppedin the "iddle of the road2 stret9hed out his ar"s andshouted Halt The 9arria#es stopped2 the959lists Cu"ped off and Sin#h be#an a le9ture .hen! was in Mesopota"ia ! will tell 5ou fellows whodon't =now an5thin# about an5thin# The poli9e;"an dra##ed hi" awa5 to the side2 and wa$ed to thetraffi9 to resu"e One of the 959lists who resu"ed2Cu"ped off the saddle a#ain and 9a"e towards hi"with .h5 !t is Sin#h2 Sin#h2 what fan95 dressis this F .hat is the "atter F E$en throu#h theha@e of his insane $ision Sin#h 9ould re9o#ni@e the$oi9e and the person the A99ountant at the offi9eSin#h 9li9=ed his heels and #a$e a salute E>9use"e sir2 didn't intend to stop 5ou You "a5 pass He pointed the wa5 #enerousl52 and the A99ountantsaw the letter in his hand He re9o#ni@ed it althou#hit was "ud;stained and 9ru"pled

Sin#h2 5ou #ot our letter F Yes2 sir2 (ass Do not spea= of it 2

.hat is the "atter F He snat9hed it fro" hishand .h5 ha$en't 5ou opened it He toreopen the en$elope and too= out of it a letter andread aloud The General Mana#er #reatl5 appre9;iates the $er5 artisti9 "odels 5ou ha$e sent2 and he ispleased to san9tion a reward of Rs *


26/661

it will be an en9oura#e"ent for 5ou to =eep up thisinterestin# hobb5

!t was translated to hi" word for word2 and theen9losure2 a 9he?ue for one hundred rupees2 was handedto hi" A bi# 9rowd #athered to wat9h this s9eneSin#h pressed the letter to his e5es He beat hisbrow2 and wailed Tell "e2 sir2 a" ! "ad or not F

You loo= ?uite well2 5ou aren't "ad2 said theA99ountant Sin#h fell at his feet and said with tears9ho=in# his $oi9e You are a #od2 sir2 to sa5 that !a" not "ad ! a" so happ5 to hear it

On the ne>t pension da5 he turned up spru9e ase$er at the offi9e 9ounter As the5 handed hi" theen$elope the5 as=ed .hat to5s are 5ou "a=in#now F

Nothin# sir Ne$er a#ain !t is no o99upationfor a sane "an he said2 re9ei$ed his pension2and stiffl5 wal=ed out of the offi9e

1THE ROMAN !MAGE

THE Tal=ati$e Man said On9e ! was an ar9haeolo#ist's assistant !wandered up and down the 9ountr5 probin#2 e>plor;in#2 and di##in#2 in sear9h of anti?uities2 a "ostinterestin# o99upation2 althou#h 95ni9s so"eti"es9alled us #ra$e;di##ers ! enCo5ed the wor=i""ensel5 ! had a "aster who was a fa"ousar9haeolo#ist 9alled Do9tor so"ethin# or other Hewas a superb2 ti"eless bein#2 who li$ed a thousand5ears behind the ti"es2 and who wanted neither foodnor roof nor ri9hes if onl5 he was allowed to #a@e onundisturbed at an old 9oin or 9hip of a burial urnHe had torn up the earth in al"ost all parts of !ndiaand had brou#ht to li#ht $er5 $aluable infor"ation9on9ernin# the histor5 and outloo= of people ofre"ote 9enturies His "ono#raphs on ea9h of hise>9a$ations filled se$eral shel$es in all the i"portantlibraries And then2 as our #ood fortune would ha$e

it2 he re9ei$ed an inspiration that Mal#udi distri9twas e"inentl5 di##able ! a" not 9o"petent toe>plain how he #ot this idea2 but there it was .ordwas brou#ht to "e that the #reat "an was sta5in# inthe da= bun#alow and was in need of an assistant.ithin an hour of hearin# it ! stood before the #reat"an He was sittin# on the floor with the "ost9ra@5 9olle9tion of arti9les in front of hi" pots and

81


27/661

8: THE ROMAN !MAGE

beads and useless 9oins and pal" lea$es2 all of the"rust5 and de9a5in# He had a lens b5 his side2throu#h whi9h he loo=ed at these arti9les and "adenotes He as=ed "e .hat do 5ou =now of thear9haeolo#i9al fa9tors of 5our distri9t F ! blin=edHonestl5 ! didn't =now there was an5 ar9haeolo#5 inour pla9e He loo=ed at "e throu#h his old spe9ta9les2and ! reali@ed that "5 li$in# depended upon "5answer ! "ustered up all the =nowled#e of ele"entar5histor5 ! had a9?uired in "5 bo5hood2 and replied

.ell2 nothin# has so far been done in an5 "ethodi9al"anner2 althou#h now and then we 9o"e a9ross so"ei#norant $illa#ers plou#hin# up old unusual bits ofpotter5 and "etal

Reall52 he as=ed2 pri9=in# up his ears Andwhat do the5 do with the" F

The5 si"pl5 throw the" awa5 or #i$e the" to9hildren to pla5 with2 ! replied

Oh2 too bad2 he "uttered .h5 9ouldn't 5ouha$e 9olle9ted these thin#s in one pla9e F

! will ta=e 9are to do that hereafter2 sir2 ! said and that settled it He en#a#ed "e on the spot atfift5 rupees a "onth2 and "5 "ain business was tofollow hi" about and help hi"

! had "5 wits ali$e2 and within a "onth ! was ina position to lead hi" b5 the hand Not the sli#htestobCe9t es9aped "5 noti9e ! pi9=ed up e$er5thin# !saw2 9leaned and polished it2 and held it up for hisopinion Most ti"es2 ! a" sorr5 to 9onfess2 the5were useless bits of stuff of =nown ori#in na"el52our own ti"es %ut ! a" #lad to sa5 that on9e !s9ored a hit

.e 9a"ped one wee=;end at Siral a $illa#e si>t5"iles fro" the town !t is a lo$el5 an9ient pla9e2

THE ROMAN !MAGE 8-

9onsistin# of a hundred houses Sara5u Ri$er windsits wa5 alon# the northern boundar5 of the $illa#eThe ri$er here is broader than it is an5where else inthe distri9t On the other ban= of the ri$er we ha$ethe be#innin#s of a "a#nifi9ent Cun#le of ba"booand tea= The "ost "odern stru9ture in the pla9ewas a s"all two;roo"ed inspe9tion lod#e The


28/661

do9tor o99upied one roo" and ! the other .e weres9outin# the surroundin#s for a "ound under whi9hwas supposed to be a buried 9it5 This dis9o$er5 was#oin# to push the earliest =nown 9i$ili@ation three9enturies farther ba9= and ri$al MohenCadaro inanti?uit5 .e "i#ht be pardoned if we set aboutour business with so"e intensit5 Our do9tor so"e;how see"ed to possess an ine>pli9able feelin# ofri$alr5 with the dis9o$erers of MohenCadaro and su9hother pla9es His #reatest desire was to ha$e a"onopol5 of the earliest =nown 9i$ili@ation and pla9eit where he 9hose This see"ed to "e a sli#ht wea=;ness in his nature2 but pardonable in a #reat "an2 whohad done so "u9h else in life This is all beside thepoint Let "e #et on with the stor5 One da5 !had #one to the ri$er for a bathe !t was an e>hilar;atin# e$enin# ! had done a #ood da5's wor=2 assistin#the do9tor to 9lean up and stud5 a pie9e of stained#lass pi9=ed up in a field outside the $illa#e Thedo9tor =ept #a@in# at this #lass all da5 He 9onstantl5

shoo= his head and said This is easil5 the "osti"portant pie9e of wor= whi9h has 9o"e under "5noti9e This bit of #lass 5ou see is not ordinar5ar9haeolo#i9al stuff2 but a $er5 i"portant lin= Thispie9e of #lass is reall5 lorentian2 whi9h went out of$o#ue in A D 1 How did this 9o"e here F !t is notfound an5where else in the world !f the identit5 of

8 7 THE ROMAN !MAGE

this is established properl5 we "a5 ulti"atel5 ha$e a#reat deal to sa5 about the earl5 Ro"an E"pire andthis part of !ndia This will re$olutioni@e our whole=nowled#e of histor5 He tal=ed of nothin# butthat the whole da5 He tre"bled with e>9ite"entand lost all taste for food He =ept on "utterin#

.e "ust tread waril5 and not o$erloo= the sli#hteste$iden9e &eep 5our e5es open .e are on the e$eof #reat dis9o$eries And ! 9au#ht this e>9ite;"ent and a9?uired a per"anentl5 sear9hin# loo=! was in this state when ! plun#ed into the waters ofSara5u that e$enin# ! a" a #ood di$er As ! wentdown "5 hand stru9= a#ainst a hard obCe9t in thesand5 bed eelin# with "5 fin#ers2 ! found it tobe a stone i"a#e .hen ! 9a"e to the surfa9e a#ain

! 9a"e up bearin# that i"a#e with "e Drippin#with water2 ! sat on the ri$er step2 without e$endr5in# "5self2 and e>a"ined the i"a#e

This ta=es us on to an entirel5 new set of possi;bilities e>9lai"ed the do9tor in #reat Co5 He=eenl5 e>a"ined it b5 our tin lantern !t was astone i"a#e a foot hi#h2 whi9h had a9?uired a #lass;li=e s"oothness2 ha$in# been under water for 5ears!t had an ar"2 an e5e2 the nose2 and the "outh


29/661

"issin# There were a few details of orna"ent anddraper5 whi9h the do9tor e>a"ined with spe9ial 9are!t was 8 a " when he went to bed An hour laterthe do9tor peeped in at "5 doorwa5 and announ9ed

This is a Ro"an statue How it 9a"e to be foundin these parts is an histori9al fa9t we ha$e to wrestfro" e$iden9e !t is #oin# to #i$e an entirel5 newturn to !ndian histor5

.ithin the ne>t two "onths all the i"portantpapers and periodi9als in the world published details

THE ROMAN !MAGE 8+

of this dis9o$er5 (apers were read before histori9alasso9iations and 9onferen9es ! 9a"e to be loo=edupon as a sort of sa$iour of !ndian histor5 or thedo9tor insisted upon #i$in# "e "5 due share of fa"e

)ni$ersit5 honours 9a"e "5 wa5 ! was offeredlu9rati$e positions here and there !t was finall5de9ided that the i"a#e was that of a Ro"an E"peror9alled Tiberius !! !t would be out' of pla9e to #ointo the details that led to this 9on9lusion but 5ouneed ha$e no doubt that the do9tor had e>9ellentreasons for it %esides the stud5 of the i"a#e itself hewent throu#h so"e Ro"an te>ts whi9h "entionedSouth !ndia

or the ne>t few "onths we toured about a #reatdeal le9turin# on this subCe9t and de"onstratin# !went with "5 do9tor to Madras and started wor= ona "ono#raph on the subCe9t !t was to be a "onu;"ental wor= 9o$erin# o$er a thousand pa#es of de"5si@e2 full of photo#raphs and s=et9hes You 9anunderstand wh5 it should be so bi# when ! tell 5outhat it was #oin# to be a 9o"bined wor= on earl5Ro"an histor52 !ndian histor52 ar9haeolo#52 andepi#raph5 M5 na"e was #oin# to appear as theCoint author of the wor= ! reali@ed that here was"5 future fa"e2 position2 and perhaps so"e "one5too The do9tor left "e in entire 9har#e of this wor=and went awa5 to )pper !ndia to 9ontinue a pie9e ofwor= whi9h he had alread5 been doin# ! sat in alar#e librar5 the whole da52 e>a"inin#2 in$esti#atin#2stud5in#2 and writin# ! be9a"e a fairl5 i"portant

person in learned so9ieties ! wor=ed fro" se$enin the "ornin# to ele$en in the e$enin# al"ost with;out a brea=2 and throu#hout the da5 ! had $isits fro"people interested in the dis9o$er5 (apers and Cournals

,< THE ROMAN !MAGE

9ontained para#raphs now and then Ar9haeolo#ist


30/661

assistant wor=in# on "ono#raph and itspro#ress was dul5 reported to the publi9 And thenthere 9a"e a ti"e when the press 9ould announ9e

Mono#raph on whi9h has been wor=in# for

"onths now will be read5 for publi9ation in ten da5s!t is e>pe9ted that this is #oin# to "a=e the ri9hest9ontribution to !ndian histor5 M5 fin#erswere worn out with writin# M5 e5es were nearl5#one ! loo=ed forward to the end of the wor= andthen as "5 do9tor wrote You 9an ha$e a holida5for three "onths in an5 hill station 5ou li=e andfor#et the whole business The "anus9riptspiled a 5ard hi#h on "5 table !t was at this sta#ethat ! had to $isit Siral on9e a#ain ! had to obtain"easure"ents of the spot where the i"a#e was found! left "5 wor= at that and hurried to the $illa#e! plun#ed into the ri$er and 9a"e up ! sat on theri$er step2 still drippin# with water2 notin# down

fi#ures2 when a stran#er 9a"e and sat near "e .efell to tal=in#2 and ! told hi" about "5 wor=2 in thehope of drawin# out further fa9ts He was a rusti92and he listened to "e without e"otion At the endof "5 narration he re"ained pe9uliarl5 "ood5 andas=ed "e to repeat fa9ts about the i"a#e He 9o";pressed his lips and as=ed .here do 5ou sa5 it9a"e fro" F

Ro"e

.here is that F

!n Europe2 ! said He stood still2 pu@@led2 and! a"plified .here the European people li$e

! don't =now about that but if it is the i"a#ewhi9h 5ou found in these parts ! 9an tell 5ou so"ethin#about it !t is without nose and ar"2 isn't it F

THE ROMAN !MAGE ,*

! assented2 not =nowin# what was 9o"in# He said ollow "e2 if 5ou want to =now an5thin# "ore about

this i"a#e He led "e up the ban=2 alon# a foot

tra9= whi9h wound throu#h the Cun#le .e rea9heda ha"let a "ile off He stopped in front of a littleshrine and said That i"a#e belon#ed to thiste"ple He led "e into the shrine .e had to #ostoopin# into it be9ause of its narrow doorwa5 and lowroof At the inner san9tu" there was an i"a#e ofMari with a #arland of 5ellow 9hr5santhe"u"saround her ne9=2 lit b5 a faint wi9= la"p On oneside of the san9tu" doorwa5 stood a dwarapala=a/door=eeper0 a win#ed 9reature a foot hi#h M5


31/661

friend pointed at the i"a#e and said This for"eda pair with the one 5ou pi9=ed up2 and it used toadorn that side of the doorwa5 ! loo=ed up wherehe pointed ! noti9ed a pedestal without an5thin#on it A doubt sei@ed "e ! want to e>a"ine thefi#ure2 ! said He brou#ht down the wi9= la"p ! e>a"ined b5 its fli9=erin# li#ht the dwarapala=a

!s this e>a9tl5 li=e the one whi9h was on that side F !t was a superfluous ?uestion This i"a#e wase>a9tl5 li=e the i"a#e ! had found2 but without itsinCuries

.here was this "ade F

! had it done b5 a stone;i"a#e "a=er2 a fellowin another $illa#e You see that hillo9= F !ts stoneis "ade into i"a#es all o$er the world2 and at its footis a $illa#e where the5 "a=e i"a#es

Are 5ou sure when it was "ade F

Yes2 ! #a$e an ad$an9e of twent5 rupees for it2

and how that fellow dela5ed ! went o$er to the

$illa#e and sat up ni#ht and da5 for two "onths and

2 #ot the pair done ! wat9hed the" ta=e shape before

,6 THE ROMAN !MAGE

"5 e5es And then we 9olle9ted about fift5 rupeesand #a$e it to hi" .e wanted to i"pro$e thiste"ple ! put ba9= the la"p and wal=ed out !sat down on the te"ple step .h5 do 5ou loo= sosadF ! thou#ht 5ou'd be pleased to =now thesethin#s2 he said2 wat9hin# "e

! a"2 ! a" onl5 !'$e been rather unwell2 !assured hi" 3an't 5ou tell "e so"ethin# "oreabout it how it 9a"e to be found in the ri$er F

Yes2 5es2 said "5 friend !t was 9arried andthrown into the ri$er it didn't wal= down there

Oh ! e>9lai"ed

That is a stor5 or this we went to the 9ourtand had the priest dis"issed and fined He 9annot9o"e near the te"ple now .e spent one thousandrupees in law5er fees alone we were prepared tospend all our fortune if onl5 to see that priest re"o$ed!t went up to Mal#udi 9ourt we #ot a $a=il fro"Madras


32/661

.hat was wron# with 5our priest F

No doubt he had a hereditar5 9lai" and too= upthe wor= when his father died2 but the fellow was ade$il for drin=2 if e$er there was one Mornin# tillni#ht he was drin=in#2 and he perfor"ed all the puCain that 9ondition .e did not =now what to do withhi" .e Cust tolerated hi"2 hopin# that so"e da5the #oddess would tea9h hi" a lesson .e did notli=e to be too harsh2 sin9e he was a poor fellow2 andhe went about his duties ?uietl5 %ut when we addedthese two dwarapala=as at the doorwa5 he #ot a ?ueernotion in his head He used to sa5 that the twodoor=eepers 9onstantl5 harried hi" b5 starin# at hi"where$er he went He said that their loo= pri9=edhi" in the ne9= So"eti"es he would peep in fro"

THE ROMAN !MAGE ,8

within to see if the i"a#es were loo=in# awa52 andhe'd s9rea"2 B Ah2 still the5 are wat9hin# "e2' andshout at the" This went on for "onths !n 9ourseof ti"e he be#an to shudder whene$er he had to passthese door=eepers !t was an a9ute "o"ent ofsuspense for hi" when he had to 9ross that pair and#et into the san9tu" Graduall5 he 9o"plained thatif he e$er too= his e5es off these fi#ures the5 buttedhi" fro" behind2 =i9=ed hi"2 and pulled his hair2and so forth He was afraid to loo= an5where elseand wal=ed on 9autiousl5 with his e5es on the i"a#es%ut if he had his e5es on one2 the other =no9=ed hi"fro" behind He showed us bruises and s9rat9hesso"eti"es .e de9lared we "i#ht treat his 9o"plaintsseriousl5 if he e$er went into the shrine without a dropof drin= in hi" !n 9ourse of ti"e he started to see=his own re"ed5 He 9arried a s"all "allet with hi"2and whene$er he #ot a =no9= he returned the blow it fell on a nose toda52 on an ar" to"orrow2 and onan ear another da5 .e didn't noti9e his handiwor=for "onths ud#in# fro" the "allet blows2 thei"a#e on the left side see"s to ha$e been the #reateroffender

The 9ul"ination 9a"e when he =no9=ed it off itspedestal and 9arried it to the ri$er Ne>t "ornin#

he de9lared he saw it wal= off and plun#e into theri$er He "ust ha$e felt that this would ser$e as alesson to the other i"a#e if it should be thin=in# ofan5 tri9= %ut the other i"a#e ne$er #ot its 9han9e

or we dra##ed the priest before a law 9ourt and hadhi" sent awa5

Thus ended the $illa#er's tale !t too= ti"e for "eto re9o$er ! as=ed Didn't 5ou ha$e to pi9= upthe i"a#e fro" the water and show it to the Cud#e F


33/661

,, THE ROMAN !MAGE

No2 be9ause the fellow would not tell us where hehad flun# it ! did not =now till this "o"ent wheree>a9tl5 it 9ould be found

.hen ! went ba9= to Madras ! was a different "anThe do9tor had Cust returned for a short sta5 ! toldhi" e$er5thin# He was furious .e ha$e "adeoursel$es "i#ht5 fools before the whole world2 he9ried

! didn't =now what to sa5 ! "u"bled ! a"so sorr52 sir He pointed at the pile of "anus9riptson the table and 9ried Throw all that rubbish intothe fire2 before we are de9lared "ad ! pushedthe whole pile off the table and applied a "at9h;sti9=

.e stood frownin# at the roarin# fire for a "o"ent2and then he as=ed2 pointin# at the i"a#e Andwhat will 5ou do with it F

! don't =now2 ! said

Drown it After all2 5ou pi9=ed it up fro" thewater that pie9e of nonsense he 9ried

! had ne$er seen hi" in su9h a ra#e before !wrapped the i"a#e in a pie9e of brown paper2 9arriedit to the seashore2 and flun# it far into the sea ! hopeit is still rollin# about at the botto" of the %a5 of%en#al ! onl5 hope it won't #et into so"e lar#efish and 9o"e ba9= to the stud5 table Later a brief"essa#e appeared in all the i"portant papers The

"anus9ript on whi9h Do9tor and assistant were

en#a#ed has been destro5ed2 and the wor= will besuspended

The do9tor #a$e "e two "onths' salar5 and bade"e #ood;b5e

:THE %L!ND DOG

!T was not a $er5 i"pressi$e or hi#h;9lass do# itwas one of those 9o""onpla9e do#s one seese$er5where 9olour of white and dust2 tail "utilatedat a 5oun# a#e b5 God =nows who"2 born in thestreet2 and bred on the lea$in#s and #arba#e of the"ar=et;pla9e He had spott5 e5es and undistin#uished9arria#e and needless pu#na9it5 %efore he was two


34/661

5ears old he had earned the s9ars of a hundred fi#htson his bod5 .hen he needed rest on hot afternoonshe la5 9urled up under the 9ul$ert at the eastern #ateof the "ar=et !n the e$enin#s he set out on his dail5rounds2 loafed in the surroundin# streets and lanes2en#a#ed hi"self in s=ir"ishes2 pi9=ed up edibles on theroadside2 and was ba9= at the "ar=et #ate b5 ni#htfall

This life went on for three 5ears And then o99urreda 9han#e in his life A be##ar2 blind of both e5es2appeared at the "ar=et #ate An old wo"an led hi"up there earl5 in the "ornin#2 seated hi" at the #ate2and 9a"e up a#ain at "idda5 with so"e food2 #atheredhis 9oins2 and too= hi" ho"e at ni#ht

The do# was sleepin# near b5 He was stirred b5the s"ell of food He #ot up2 9a"e out of his shelter2and stood before the blind "an2 wa##in# his tail and#a@in# e>pe9tantl5 at the bowl2 as he was eatin# hissparse "eal The blind "an swept his ar"s about

and as=ed .ho is there F At whi9h the do#went up and li9=ed his hand The blind "an stro=ed

,1

,: THE %L!ND DOG

its 9oat #entl5 tail to ear and said .hat a beaut5

5ou are 3o"e with "e He threw a handful

of food whi9h the do# ate #ratefull5 !t was perhapsan auspi9ious "o"ent for startin# a friendship The5"et e$er5 da5 there2 and the do# 9ut off "u9h of itsra"blin# to sit up beside the blind "an and wat9hhi" re9ei$e al"s "ornin# to e$enin# !n 9ourse ofti"e obser$in# hi"2 the do# understood that thepassers;b5 "ust #i$e a 9oin2 and whoe$er went awa5without droppin# a 9oin was 9hased b5 the do# hetu##ed the ed#e of their 9lothes b5 his teeth and pulledthe" ba9= to the old "an at the #ate and let #o onl5after so"ethin# was dropped in his bowl A"on#those who fre?uented this pla9e was a $illa#e ur9hin2who had the "is9hief of a de$il in hi" He li=ed totease the blind "an b5 9allin# hi" na"es and b5

tr5in# to pi9= up the 9oins in his bowl The blind"an helplessl5 shouted and 9ried and whirled hisstaff On Thursda5s this bo5 appeared at the #ate29arr5in# on his head a bas=et loaded with 9u9u"beror plantain E$er5 Thursda5 afternoon it was a9risis in the blind "an's life A seller of bri#ht9oloured but doubtful perfu"es with his wares "ountedon a wheeled platfor"2 a "an who spread out 9heapstor5;boo=s on a #unn5 sa9=2 another "an who 9arried9oloured ribbons on an elaborate fra"e these were


35/661

the people who usuall5 #athered under the sa"e ar9h2On a Thursda5 when the 5oun# "an appeared at theEastern #ate one of the" re"ar=ed2 %lind fellow

Here 9o"es 5our s9our#e

Oh2 God2 is this Thursda5F he wailed Heswept his ar"s about and 9alled Do#2 do#2 9o"ehere2 where are 5ou F He "ade the pe9uliar noisewhi9h brou#ht the do# to his side He stro=ed his

THE %L!ND DOG ,-

head and "uttered Don't let that little ras9al

At this $er5 "o"ent the bo5 9a"e up with a leer onhis fa9e

%lind "an Still pretendin# 5ou ha$e no e5es!f 5ou are reall5 blind2 5ou should not =now this

either He stopped2 his hand "o$in# towards

the bowl The do# spran# on hi" and snapped hisCaws on wrist The bo5 e>tri9ated his hand and ranfor his life The do# bounded up behind hi" and9hased hi" out of the "ar=et

See the "on#rel's affe9tion for this old fellowI'"ar$elled the perfu"e;$endor

One e$enin# at the usual ti"e the old wo"an failedto turn up2 and the blind "an waited at the #ate2worr5in# as the e$enin# #rew into ni#ht As he satfrettin# there2 a nei#hbour 9a"e up and said Sa"i2don't wait for the old wo"an She will not 9o"ea#ain She died this afternoon

The blind "an lost the onl5 ho"e he had2 and theonl5 person who 9ared for hi" in this world Theribbon;$endor su##ested Here2 ta=e this white

tape He held a len#th of the white 9ord whi9h

he had been sellin# ! will #i$e this to 5ou

free of 9ost Tie it to the do# and let hi" lead 5ouabout if he is reall5 so fond of 5ou

Life for the do# too= a new turn now He 9a"e tota=e the pla9e of the old wo"an He lost his freedo"9o"pletel5 His world 9a"e to be 9ir9u"s9ribed b5the li"its of the white 9ord whi9h the ribbon;$endorhad spared He had to for#et wholesale all his oldlife all his old haunts He si"pl5 had to sta5 on


36/661

for e$er at the end of that strin# .hen he sawother do#s2 friends or foes2 instin9ti$el5 he spran# up2tu##in# the strin#2 and this in$ariabl5 earned hi" a

,7 THE %L!ND DOG

=i9= fro" his "aster Ras9al2 want to tu"ble "e

down ha$e sense !n a few da5s the do# learnt

to dis9ipline his instin9t and i"pulse He 9eased tota=e noti9e of other do#s2 e$en if the5 9a"e up and#rowled at his side He lost his own orbit of "o$e;"ent and 9onta9t with his fellow;9reatures

To the e>tent of this loss his "aster #ained He"o$ed about as he had ne$er "o$ed in his life Allda5 he was on his le#s2 led b5 the do# .ith the

staff in one hand and the do#;lead in the other he"o$ed out of his ho"e a 9orner in a 9houltr5 $erandaa few 5ards off the "ar=et he had "o$ed in thereafter the old wo"an's death He started out earl5in the da5 He found that he 9ould treble his in9o"eb5 "o$in# about instead of sta5in# in one pla9e He"o$ed down the 9houltr5 street2 and where$er heheard people's $oi9es he stopped and held out hishands for al"s Shops2 s9hools2 hospitals2 hotels heleft nothin# out He #a$e a tu# when he wanted thedo# to stop2 and shouted li=e a bullo9=;dri$er whenhe wanted hi" to "o$e on The do# prote9ted hisfeet fro" #oin# into pits2 or stu"pin# a#ainst stepsor stones2 and too= hi" up in9h b5 in9h on safe #roundand steps or this si#ht people #a$e 9oins andhelped hi" 3hildren #athered round hi" and #a$ehi" thin#s to eat A do# is essentiall5 an a9ti$e 9reaturewho pun9tuates his he9ti9 rounds with well;definedperiods of rest %ut now this do# /hen9eforth to be=nown as Ti#er0 had lost all rest He had rest onl5when the old "an sat down so"ewhere At ni#ht theold "an slept with the 9ord turned around his fin#er

! 9an't ta=e 9han9es with 5ou he said A

#reat desire to earn "ore "one5 than e$er beforesei@ed his "aster2 so that he felt an5 restin# a waste

THE %L!ND DOG ,+

of opportunit52 and the do# had to be 9ontinuousl5on his feet So"eti"es his le#s refused to "o$e%ut if he slowed down e$en sli#htl5 his "aster #oadedhi" on fier9el5 with his staff The do# whined and#roaned under this thrust Don't whine2 5ou


37/661

ras9al Don't ! #i$e 5ou 5our food F You want toloaf2 do 5ou F swore the blind "an The do#lu"bered up and down and round and round the"ar=et;pla9e on slow steps2 tied down to the blindt5rant Lon# after the traffi9 at the "ar=et 9eased25ou 9ould hear the ni#ht stabbed b5 the far;off wailof the tired do# !t lost its ori#inal appearan9e As"onths rolled on2 bones stu9= up at his haun9hes andribs were reliefed throu#h his fadin# 9oat

The ribbon;seller2 the no$el;$endor and the perfu"erobser$ed it one e$enin#2 when business was sla9=2 andheld a 9onferen9e a"on# the"sel$es !t rends "5heart to see that poor do# sla$in# 3an't we doso"ethin# F The ribbon;seller re"ar=ed Thatras9al has started lendin# "one5 for interest ! heard

it fro" that fruit;seller He is earnin# "ore than

he needs He has be9o"e a $er5 de$il for "one5

At this point the perfu"er's e5es 9au#ht the s9issorsdan#lin# fro" the ribbon;ra9= Gi$e it here2 hesaid and "o$ed on with the s9issors in hand

The blind "an was passin# in front of the Eastern#ate The do# was strainin# the lead There was apie9e of bone l5in# on the wa5 and the do# wasstrainin# to pi9= it up The lead be9a"e taut andhurt the blind "an's hand2 and he tu##ed the strin#and =i9=ed till the do# howled !t howled2 but 9ouldnot pass the bone li#htl5 it tried to "a=e anotherdash for it The blind "an was heapin# 9urses on itThe perfu"er stepped up2 applied the s9issors and

1< THE %L!ND DOG

snipped the 9ord The do# boun9ed off and pi9=edup the bone The blind "an stopped dead where hestood2 with the other half of the strin# dan#lin# inhis hand Ti#er Ti#er .here are 5ou F he9ried The perfu"er "o$ed awa5 ?uietl52 "utterin#

You heartless de$il You will ne$er #et at hi"a#ain He has his freedo" The do# went offat top speed He nosed about the dit9hes happil52

hurled hi"self on other do#s2 and ran round andround the fountain in the "ar=et;s?uare bar=in#2 hise5es spar=lin# with Co5 He returned to his fa$ouritehaunts and hun# about the but9her's shop2 tea;stall2and the ba=er5

The ribbon;$endor and his two friends stood at the"ar=et #ate and enCo5ed the si#ht i""ensel5 as theblind "an stru##led to find his wa5 about He stoodrooted to the spot wa$in# his sti9= he felt as if he


38/661

were han#in# in "id;air He was wailin# Oh2where is "5 do#F .here is "5 do#F .on'tso"eone #i$e hi" ba9= to "eF ! will "urder itwhen ! #et at it a#ain He #roped about2 tried to9ross the road2 9a"e near bein# run o$er b5 a do@en$ehi9les at different points2 tu"bled and stru##ledand #asped He'd deser$e it if he was run o$er2

this heartless bla9=#uard the5 said2 obser$in#

hi" Howe$er2 the old "an stru##led throu#h andwith the help of so"eone found his wa5 ba9= to his9orner in the 9houltr5 $eranda and san= down onhis #unn5sa9= bed2 half faint with the strain ofhis Courne5

He was not seen for ten da5s2 fifteen da5s andtwent5 da5s Nor was the do# seen an5where The59o""ented a"on# the"sel$es The do# "ust beloafin# o$er the whole earth2 free and happ5 The

THE %L!ND DOG 1*

be##ar is perhaps #one for e$er Hardl5 was

this senten9e uttered when the5 heard the fa"iliartap;tap of the blind "an's staff The5 saw hi"a#ain 9o"in# up the pa$e"ent led b5 the do#

Loo= Loo= the5 9ried He has a#ain #ot

at it and tied it up The ribbon;seller 9ould not

9ontain hi"self He ran up and said .hereha$e 5ou been all these da5s F

&now what happened 9ried the blind "an This do# ran awa5 ! should ha$e died in a da5

or two2 9onfined to "5 9orner2 no food2 not an annato earn i"prisoned in "5 9orner ! should ha$e

perished if it 9ontinued for another da5 %ut this

thin# returned

.hen F .hen F

Last ni#ht At "idni#ht as ! slept in bed2 he9a"e and li9=ed "5 fa9e ! felt li=e "urderin# hi"! #a$e hi" a blow whi9h he will ne$er for#et a#ain2said the blind "an ! for#a$e hi"2 after all a do# He loafed as lon# as he 9ould pi9= up so"e rubbishto eat on the road2 but real hun#er has dri$en hi"ba9= to Cne2 but he will not lea$e "e a#ain See

! ha$e #ot this and he shoo= the lead it was


39/661

a steel 9hain this ti"e

On9e a#ain there was the dead2 despairin# loo= inthe do#'s e5es Go on2 5ou fool2 9ried the blind"an2 shoutin# li=e an o>;dri$er He tu##ed the9hain2 po=ed with the sti9=2 and the do# "o$ed awa5on slow steps The5 stood listenin# to the tap;tap#oin# awa5

Death alone 9an help that do#2 9ried the ribbon;seller2 loo=in# after it with a si#h .hat 9an we dowith a 9reature who returns to his doo" with su9h afree heart F

-ELLO.; EEL!NG

THE Madras;%an#alore E>press was due to startin a few "inutes Trolle5s and barrows piledwith trun=s and beds rattled their wa5 throu#h thebustle ruit;sellers and beedi;and;betel sellers 9riedthe"sel$es hoarse Late9o"ers pushed2 shouted andperspired The en#ine added to the #eneral noisewith the low "onotonous hu" of its boiler the firstbell ran#2 the #uard loo=ed at his wat9h Mr RaCa"!5er arri$ed on the platfor" at a terrifi9 pa9e2 witha s"all roll of beddin# under one ar" and an absurd5ellow trun= under the other He ran to the firstthird;9lass 9o"part"ent that 9au#ht his e5e2 peeredin and2 sin9e the door 9ould not be opened on a99ountof the 9on#estion inside2 flun# hi"self in throu#h thewindow

ifteen "inutes later Madras flashed past the trainin window;fra"ed pat9hes of sun;s9or9hed roofs andfields At the ne>t halt2 Mandha=a"2 "ost of thepassen#ers #ot down The 9o"part"ent built to

seat 7 passen#ers , %ritish Troops2 or : !ndianTroops2 now 9arried onl5 nine RaCa" !5er founda seat and "ade hi"self 9o"fortable opposite a sallow2"ee= passen#er2 who suddenl5 re"o$ed his 9oat2folded it and pla9ed it under his head and la5 down2shrin=in# hi"self to the area he had o99upied whilehe was sittin# .ith his =nees drawn up al"ost to

16

ELLO.; EEL!NG 18

his 9hin2 he rolled hi"self into a ball RaCa" !5erthrew at hi" an indul#ent2 9o"passionate loo= Hethen fu"bled for his #lasses and pulled out of his


40/661

po9=et a s"all boo=2 whi9h set forth in 9lear Ta"ilthe si#nifi9an9e of the obs9ure Sandhi rites that e$er5%rah"in worth the na"e perfor"s thri9e dail5

He was startled out of this pleasant lan#uor b5 aseries of #rowls 9o"in# fro" a passen#er who had #otin at &atpadi The new9o"er2 loo=in# for a seat2had been irritated b5 the spe9ta9le of the "ee=passen#er asleep and had enfor9ed the law of theThird;9lass He then en9roa9hed on "ost of the"ee= passen#er's le#iti"ate spa9e and be#an to deli$erho"e;truths whi9h passed b5 eas5 sta#es fro" i";puden9e to i"pertinen9e and finall5 to ribaldr5

RaCa" !5er peered o$er his spe9ta9les There wasa dan#erous loo= in his e5es He tried to return tothe boo=2 but 9ould not The bull5's spee9h was#atherin# "o"entu"

.hat is all this F RaCa" !5er as=ed suddenl52

in a hard tone

.hat is what F #rowled ba9= the new9o"er2turnin# sharpl5 on RaCa" !5er

Moderate 5our st5le a bit2 RaCa" !5er saidfir"l5

You "oderate 5ours first2' * replied the other

A pause

M5 "an2 RaCa" !5er be#an endearin#l52 thissort of thin# will ne$er do

The new9o"er re9ei$ed this in silen9e RaCa"!5er felt en9oura#ed and dro$e ho"e his "oral

ust tr5 and be "ore 9ourteous2 it is 5our dut5

You "ind 5our business2 replied the new9o"er

RaCa" !5er shoo= his head disappro$in#l5 and

1, ELLO.; EEL!NG

drawled out a No The new9o"er stood loo=in#out for so"e ti"e and2 as if e>pressin# a brillianttruth that had Cust dawned on hi"2 said2 You ar9a %rah"in2 ! see Learn2 sir2 that 5our da5s are o$erDon't thin= 5ou 9an bull5 us as 5ou ha$e been bull5in#us all these 5ears

RaCa" !5er #a$e a short lau#h and said .hathas it to do with 5our beastl5 9ondu9t to this #entle;"an F


41/661

The new9o"er assu"ed a tone of "o9= hu"ilit5and said Shall ! ta=e the dust fro" 5our feet2 OHol5 %rah"in F Oh2 %rah"in2 %rah"in He 9on;tinued in a sin#;son# fashion Your da5s are o$er2"5 dear sir2 learn that ! should li=e to see 5outr5in# a bit of bossin# on us

.hose "aster is who F as=ed RaCa" !5erphilosophi9all5

The new9o"er went on with no ob$ious rele$an9e The 9ost of "utton has #one up out of all proportion

!t is nearl5 double what it used to be

!s it F as=ed RaCa" !5er

Yes2 and wh5 F 9ontinued the other %e9ause%rah"ins ha$e be#un to eat "eat and the5 pa5 hi#hpri9es to #et it se9retl5 He then turned to the

other passen#ers and added And we non;%rah"insha$e to pa5 the sa"e pri9e2 thou#h we don't 9are forthe se9re95

RaCa" !5er leaned ba9= in his seat2 re"indin#hi"self of a pro$erb whi9h said that if 5ou threw astone into a #utter it would onl5 spurt filth in 5our fa9e

And2 said the new9o"er2 the pri9e of "eatused to be fi$e annas per pound ! re"e"ber theda5s ?uite well !t is nearl5 twel$e annas now.h5F %e9ause the %rah"in is prepared to pa5 so

ELLO.; EEL!NG 11

"u9h2 if onl5 he 9an ha$e it in se9retB ! ha$e with"5 own e5es seen %rah"ins2 pu==ah %rah"ins withsa9red threads on their bodies2 9arr5in# fish undertheir ar"s2 of 9ourse all wrapped up in a towel As=the" what it is2 and the5 will tell 5ou that it is plantain(lantain that has life2 ! suppose ! on9e ti9=led afellow under the ar" and out 9a"e the bi##est fishin the "ar=et He52 %rah"in2 he said2 turnin# toRaCa" !5er2 what did 5ou ha$e for 5our "eal this"ornin#F .hoF ! F as=ed RaCa" !5er .h5

do 5ou want to =now F Loo=2 sirs2 said thenew9o"er to the other passen#ers2 wh5 is he afraidto tell us what he ate this "ornin# F And turnin#to RaCa" !5er2 Ma5n't a "an as= another what hehad for his "ornin# "eal F

Oh2 b5 all "eans ! had ri9e2 #hee2 9urds2 brinCalsoup2 fried beans

Oh2 is that all F as=ed the new9o"er2 with an


42/661

inno9ent loo=

Yes2 replied RaCa" !5er

!s that all F

Yes2 how "an5 ti"es do 5ou want "e to repeatitF

No offen9e2 no offen9e2 replied the new9o"er

Do 5ou "ean to sa5 ! a" l5in# F as=edRaCa" !5er

Yes2 replied the other2 5ou ha$e o"itted fro"5our list a few thin#s Didn't ! see 5ou this "ornin##oin# ho"e fro" the "ar=et with a banana2 a waterbanana2 wrapped up in a towel2 under 5our ar"F(ossibl5 it was so"ebod5 $er5 "u9h li=e 5ou (ossibl5! "istoo= the person M5 wife prepares e>9ellent

soup with fish You won't be able to find the differen9ebetween dholl soup and fish soup Send 5our wife2

1 : ELLO.; EEL!NG

or the wife of the person that was e>a9tl5 li=e 5ou to"5 wife to learn soup "a=in# Hundreds of %rah"insha$e s"a9=ed their lips o$er the dholl soup preparedin "5 house ! a" a leper if there is a lie in an5thin#! sa5

You are2 replied RaCa" !5er2 #rindin# his teeth You are a rabid leper

.ho" do 5ou 9all a leper

You

! F You 9all "e a leper F

No ! 9all 5ou a rabid leper

You 9all "e rabid F the new9o"er as=ed2 stri=in#his 9hest to e"phasi@e Me

You are a filth5 brute2 said RaCa" !5er You"ust be handed o$er to the poli9e

%ah e>9lai"ed the new9o"er As if ! didn't=now what these poli9e were

Yes2 5ou "ust ha$e had 9ountless o99asions to=now the poli9e And 5ou will see "ore of the" 5etin 5our "iserable life2 if 5ou don't #et beaten to deathli=e the street "on#rel 5ou are2 said RaCa" !5er in


43/661

#reat passion .ith 5our foul "outh 5ou are boundto 9o"e to that end

.hat do 5ou sa5 F shouted the new9o"er"ena9in#l5 .hat do 5ou sa52 5ou $ile hu"bu# F

Shut up2 RaCa" !5er 9ried

You shut up

Do 5ou =now to who" 5ou are tal=in# F

.hat do ! 9are who the son of a "on#rel is F

! will thrash 5ou with "5 slippers2 said RaCa"!5er

! will pulp 5ou down with an old rotten sandal29a"e the repl5

! will =i9= 5ou2 said RaCa" !5er

ELLO.; EEL!NG 1-

.ill 5ou F howled the new9o"er

3o"e on2 let us see

%oth rose to their feet si"ultaneousl5

There the5 stood fa9in# ea9h other on the floor ofthe 9o"part"ent RaCa" !5er was sei@ed b5 a senseof inferiorit5 The new9o"er stood nine 9lean in9heso$er hi" He be#an to feel ridi9ulous2 short and fat2wearin# a loose dhot and a #reen 9oat2 while thenew9o"er towered abo$e hi" in his #rease;spotted=ha=i suit Out of the 9orner of his e5e he noted thatthe other passen#ers were waitin# ea#erl5 to see howthe issue would be settled and were not in the leastdisposed to inter$ene

.h5 do 5ou stand as if 5our "outh was stoppedwith "ud F as=ed the new9o"er

Shut up2 RaCa" !5er snapped2 tr5in# not to be

i"pressed b5 the si@e of the ad$ersar5

Your honour said that 5ou would =i9= "e2 saidthe new9o"er2 pretendin# to offer hi"self

.on't ! =i9= 5ou F as=ed RaCa" !5er

Tr5

No2 said RaCa" !5er2 ! will do so"ethin#


44/661

worse

Do it2 said the other2 throwin# forward his 9hestand pushin# up the slee$es of his 9oat

RaCa" !5er re"o$ed his 9oat and rolled up hisslee$es He rubbed his hands and 9o""andedsuddenl5 Stand still The new9o"er was ta=enaba9= He stood for a se9ond baffled RaCa" !5er#a$e hi" no ti"e to thin= .ith #reat for9e heswun# his ri#ht ar" and brou#ht it near the other's9hee=2 but stopped it short without hittin# hi"

.ait a "inute2 ! thin= ! had better #i$e 5ou a9han9e2 said RaCa" !5er

1 7 ELLO.; EEL!NG

.hat 9han9e F as=ed the new9o"er

!t would be unfair if ! did it without #i$in# 5oua 9han9e

Did what F

You stand there and it will be o$er in a fra9tionof a se9ond

ra9tion of a se9ond F .hat will 5ou do F

Oh2 nothin# $er5 9o"pli9ated2 replied RaC a"!5er non9halantl52 nothin# $er5 9o"pli9ated !will slap 5our ri#ht 9hee= and at the sa"e ti"e tu#5our left ear and 5our "outh2 whi9h is now under5our nose2 will suddenl5 find itself under 5our left ear2and2 what is "ore2 sta5 there ! assure 5ou2 5ou won'tfeel an5 pain

.hat do 5ou sa5 F

And it will all be o$er before 5ou sa5 ' Sri Ra"a 4

! don't belie$e it2 said the new9o"er

.ell and #ood Don'

54806127 r k narayan omnibus

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