Page:Krishna Kanta's Will.djvu/52

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

KRISHNA KANTA'S WILL.

55

"Bok, bok, goll, goll,"^[1] went the water as it gurgled into the kalsi, which seemed as though it objected to be filled. I have noticed that empty vessels, whether human or of earthenware, generally do object to be filled, and make a great hubbub over the process.

The kalsi being filled, Rohini ascended the steps, draped her wet garments gracefully about her, and walked very slowly home.

Then "chhollot-chhollot, thonâk, jhinik, thininikie-thin." In language such as this a conversation ensued between the kalsi, the water in the kalsi, and Rohini’s bracelets, in which Rohini mentally joined.

Rohini's mind. "What about the stealing of the will?"

Water. "Chhollot!"

Rohini's mind. "It was a bad piece of business!"

↑ The Bengali language is particularly rich in onomatopoetic words. The sound of the water as it fills the jar is cleverly reproduced in these unmeaning words. So also, later, we have a close imitation of the water tossing about in the jar whilst carried on the hip of Rohini, and of the jingling of the bangles on her encircling arm.

[1] The Bengali language is particularly rich in onomatopoetic words. The sound of the water as it fills the jar is cleverly reproduced in these unmeaning words. So also, later, we have a close imitation of the water tossing about in the jar whilst carried on the hip of Rohini, and of the jingling of the bangles on her encircling arm.

[1]