reaching the top of the tree."[1] The sister-in-law approaching Binod, said to him—"Brother, further delay in getting the ornaments made will not look well. I met the bride's aunt yesterday, and she enquired if the ornaments had come yet."
Binod said—"Do you wish to drive me away, sister-in-law? You are a friend indeed!"
"I quite understand, brother; but you must do something to satisfy the family. Go early in the morning to Calcutta, spend the day there; buy the gold, call in the goldsmith, give the measures, and charge Abala Didi to see them done, and then return by the evening train, which gets in here about midnight. I will leave food for you in your bedroom."
"How wise you are, sister-in-law!"
It was arranged that early the next morning Binod should go to Calcutta. Evening fell;
- ↑ On a dark night a thief went out to steal dates from a neighbour's tree. Another thief was there before him, who, having plucked a bunch, let it down with a string to avoid noise. The second thief, when half-way up, caught the bunch (not perceiving the first thief) and exclaimed: "Hullo, what luck! a bunch before reaching the top." This proverb is used when something happens before its time. Binod was just married, and his devotion to his wife was quite premature. In such marriages men do not fall in love with their wives until one or two years have passed.
