Page:Tales of Bengal (Sita and Santa Chattopadhyay).djvu/33

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
The Ugly Bride

sweet mamma when you go back home, that a black skin does not sell so easily. When she can send with you gold enough to balance your glory, she can send you back to this house again, but not before. I can get a better bride for my son."

Kalo heard all this abuse with her head bowed at an obedient angle.

That a woman is born to suffer was taught her from her birth. So she did not find anything strange in this new misfortune. She heard the…the match-making uncle say, "Tara, what are you waiting for? Stop chattering and take in your son and daughter. This has happened for your benefit. You have only to turn the tap to get supply of ready cash whenever you want."

Thus began Kalo's new life of happiness. Who knows whether Tara-sundari ever boasted her part in this new drama of blissful existence, but of this we are quite sure that Kalo's mother blessed her with uplifted arms.


b
17