Krishnakanta's Will (Chatterjee, Roy)/Part 1/Chapter 5
CHAPTER V.
NEXT morning Haralal walked straight to Brahmananda's house. When he got there, without stopping he went and peeped into the kitchen. Rohini was there busy in cooking. She pretended not to see him even when he stepped up and stood near her. "Look at me, Rohini, the pot won't crack," said Haralal.
Rohini looked up with a smile.
"Have you got it?" he asked.
She made no answer, but went and brought him what he wanted. Haralal knew at a glance that it was his father's will. A sinister smile was on his face. "How did you get it?" he asked.
Rohini began her story. She invented one; and she took the will from his hand to show how it lay between two boxes, which stood upon the chest of drawers. When she had finished speaking she left him abruptly. Haralal, not seeing the will in her hand when she returned, asked, "Where is the will?"
"I have kept it," said Rohini.
"I want to be going now. I must have it," said Haralal.
"Why, I think there is no haste."
"I cannot afford to wait. I must be off."
"Well, if you must, I will not detain you," said Rohini.
"The will? Let me have the will. Don't keep me waiting for it."
"You may leave it with me," said Rohini.
"Nonsense, I must have it."
"Whether it is with you or me, it is all the same."
"How? Why did you steal it if you will not give it to me?"
"When you have married a widow I will give it to your wife."
Haralal pretended not to see what she was driving at, and only said, "Don't detain me any longer, You want money, I can see. Let me know what sum will satisfy you."
"I don't want money; you know what I want," she said quietly, and evidently fighting against shyness.
"I am sorry I cannot comply with your wish," said Haralal. "If I have forged, I have done it for my own good. You stole; can you say why you did it?"
Rohini was astounded.
"Whatever I am" continued Haralal, "still I am Krishnakanta Roy's son. I cannot take to wife one who stole."
His words cut her like a whip. She rose to her feet abruptly; and pushing back her veil, and flinging an angry and scornful look at him, said, "Who told me to steal? Who put the temptation before me? Who was so silky and smooth in order to deceive a poor woman by taking advantage of her simplicity? Can there be anything more wicked and dishonourable than this? And you plume yourself on being the son of Krishnakanta Roy! Shame on you. Had you been a woman I wouldn't have spared the broom. But a wretch as you are, I allow you to depart in peace."
Haralal was cowed by her sudden and very bold attack. A malicious smile was on his face, and he withdrew without uttering a word.