HE MET HIS MISTRESS
worldly affairs?" he asked, using the third person and calling her "mother," as is the custom in India, when speaking to an honoured lady.
"So I propose, Gokul Das. The Great Bhagavan disposes."
"The Great Bhagavan will fulfil the last earthly wishes of mother's righteous heart, and she will be happy in the joys of religion. It is we poor sinners, wedded to this earth, that will suffer and mourn in her absence."
"There are not many, Gokul Das, who will feel the absence of an old woman now past the time of all earthly duties. My daughter will soon be absorbed in her new duties in life, and Sirish will worthily maintain the dignity of the House."
"Be it as mother wishes."
"And you have made all arrangements, Gokul Das?"
"All arrangements have been made. The litters and bearers are ready to convey the family to Rajmahal, and two large boats, with the usual crew and twenty armed retainers, wait there to take them by river to sacred Mathura."
"You have done well, Gokul Das. You have ever been a duteous servant to the House, and to me."
Spoken with the utmost kindness, the last words nevertheless touched Gokul Das's guilty conscience, and the culprit winced. "And you know, Gokul Das, it is my desire to break my journey for a few days at Benares. The holy temple of that sacred place, where the Ganges flows northwards, claim a lone woman's worship."
"I am acquainted with mother's wishes, and a proper house has been secured on the banks of the
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