THE CHILD FATHER OF THE MAN
long? Her father will be inquiring for her by this time, I guess."
"I will know what reply to make to her father if he asks me—to thee I will make none."
"Why, thou art as rude, Noren, as thou art unskilful. Thou hast lost thy house and thy temper."
"If I have lost my sand house, I have a better house to live in. There are people who have no house to call their own."
A wanton insult this to Sirish, who was then living as a dependant on Hemlata's father. Sirish winced but kept his temper, and he replied to Noren with the respect due to his rank.
"I know my position, Noren, and am not ashamed of it. I wish thou wouldst know thine and be worthy of thy grandfather's house."
"Good of thee to think of my grandfather's house, Sirish; though even now, methinks, there are those once quailed who under his eyes but would gladly purloin the estate which he left to me. Maybe my playmate knows something of these schemes!"
"I will leave thee to thy humour, Noren," calmly replied Sirish. "I will take Hemlata home, as her father must be getting anxious for her."
"And who made thee Hemlata's guardian, Sirish, and how long hast thou been her protector?" asked Noren, fiercely, as he saw the girl clinging closer to Sirish.
"I am no guardian of hers, Noren, but would fain protect her from a madman like thee!"
"Stand back!" shouted Noren. "The girl shall go home with me, as she came to the riverside to play with me."
13
