"Answer if the flower has any joy in its bloom."
"Men are delighted to see it. But what does it matter to the flower?"
Shyama's looks fell and dark shadows flitted across her face. Like the petals of a lotus blown by the morning wind, her big blue eyes stared hard and twinkled.
"What has it to do with flower?" echoed she "That I can never say. I 11ever grew up into a flower that blossomed. But if ever I could be a rose-bud like you, then perhaps I would have a taste of the thrill of delights in the blossom."
Seeing her silent, Shyama continued "Well and good. But if it does not follow, then let me hear your idea of happiness."
Mrinmoyee bethought herself a while and said "I can not explain it. Perhaps I would have been happy if I could but wander through the sea-side wilderness."
Shyamasundari was no little disconcerted to hear this. That their care and good treatment bestowed no benefits upon Mrinmoyee stung her and ruffled her temper.
"Is there any means of return?" asked she.
"No. Not any."
"Then what you propose?"
Adhicary used to say "We do as we are ordained to do."
Shyamasundari hid her face with her cloth and shook with laughter.
