THE WRECK
23
"What's this ? You here, Ramesh Babiu ! I say, you know, you had completely forgotten our existence."
Ramesh only smiled feebly, and Akshay went on: "When I saw the way your father marched you off I felt certain he'd keep you under arrest till he had you married. Did you manage to escape that fate after all?"
A glance of indignation from Hemnalini stopped Akshay's mouth.
"Ramesh has lost his father, Akshay," said Annada Babu.
Ramesh bent his head to hide his sudden pallor. Indignant with Akshay for flicking him on the raw, Henuialini hastened to intervene. "I've never shown you my new album, Ramesh Babu," she said, and bringing the album she placed it on the table in front of Ramesh and began to discuss the photographs with him. She found an opportunity to remark in an undertone: "I suppose you're living all alone at your new lodgings, Ramesh Babu?"
"Yes," replied Ramesh, "quite alone."
"Well, you must come back to the old place next door as soon as you can."
"Yes, I'll move in next Monday whatever happens."
"You see, I'll want you to help me now and then with the philosophy for the B.A.," she added in- genuously.
Ramesh was delighted at the prospect.
