NEXT morning Kamala presented herself at Uncle’s house. She took Sailaja aside as soon as she found an opportunity and clung to her in a fond embrace.
“What makes you look so happy to-day, dear?” asked Saila, caressing her.
“I don’t know, didi; I feel somehow as if all my troubles were over.”
Saila. “Come now, you must tell me all about it. We were together yesterday till evening, what happened after that?”
Kamala. “Nothing to speak of, really, but I feel that he is now mine indeed. Heaven has taken pity on me.”
Saila. “That’s good, dear; you mustn’t conceal anything from me,’ though.”
Kamala. “I’ve nothing to conceal, didi; it’s only that I can’t find words to express myself. When I rose this morning life seemed to have acquired a meaning for me. I felt happier and my work seemed lighter than I can describe. I want nothing more than that. My only fear is that I may lose what I have gained. I cannot believe that Providence will be so kind as to make all my life equally happy.”
Saila. “I think myself that your luck has turned and that you won’t be cheated out of it. You’ll get with interest all the happiness that is due to you.”
Kamala. “No, you mustn’t say that, didi. I’ve got all the interest already. I’ve no fault to find with my luck. There’s nothing more that I want.”
Uncle came in at this point this encounter makes a good close to the episode. Though I cannot tell for certain what led her to leave the bungalow at Ghazipur, this much is clear now — that I’m quite superfluous. No one needs me now except myself; I’ll go out into the world and lead my own life. There’s no necessity to turn and look back.”