much more beautiful when left in its natural way, instead of being all bound up in a net.
The God...the great man.] These words refer to the bridegroom himself, who wields such mighty powers of choice or refusal. They are ironical.
VII.— THE POSTMASTER
like a fish out of water.] Completely out of place, because he was used to city life.
macadamised road.] He would have infinitely preferred the streets and shops and crowded markets of Calcutta.
smoke...from the village cowsheds.] Such as is used to drive away the mosquitoes.
Banl.] A religious sect in Bengal whose members sing songs and often go about begging.
No more of this.] He was afraid he might become too deeply attached to Ratan if he stayed.
Its fond mistakes are persistent.] We continually try to deceive ourselves that what we wish to be true is true. When at last we find out the truth, we could almost wish we had not done so.
VIII.— THE CASTAWAY
Like a rudderless boat.] Notice how the metaphor is kept up to the end of the sentence.
The writ of Fate.] They said that if she was to die, she was to die, and nothing could prevent it.
profiting their Brahmin guest.] She would believe this to be an act of merit for which she would be rewarded.
out of his repertory.] Out of the stock of plays he recited when he belonged to the theatrical troupe.
hearing sacred names.] This also, she believed, would bring her merit.
forcing house.] Like some glass conservatory used for exotic flowers.
