58
THE WRECK
Annada Babu fully realised that this was the psy- chological moment for asking Akshay what Ramesh's conduct really meant; but he who probes a mystery may let loose a whirlwind, and the old gentleman was constitutionany averse to such an operation.
He vented his feelings on his visitor. "You're too suspicious, Akshay ! When you have no proof why should you -"
Akshay had remarkable power of self-control, but successive rebuffs had at last worn out his patience. "Look here, Annada Babu," he burst out, "you're im- puting all sorts of vile motives to me ! You insinuate that I bear a grudge against your future son-in-law and that I'm suspecting an innocent man. I'm not clever enough to teach ladies philosophy, and I can't boast of any ability to discuss poetry with them; I'm quite an ordinary sort of fellow ; but I've always been fond of and devoted to you and your family. Though I can't vie with Ramesh Babu in any other respect, I pride myself on never having had anything to conceal from you. I am capable of displaying rags to you and begging for a copper, but not of burgling your house. You'll know to-morrow what I mean."
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