64
THE WRECK
Ramesh had really been let off very easily by Annada Babu on the previous night, but the lad was too igno- rant of affairs to realise this. He supposed that in stating that he had something important to do he had said all that was necessary, and he had gone about his immediate business in the belief that this explanation gave him full liberty of action.
Jogendra, "Where's Hemnalini?"
Annada Babu. "She had her tea earlier than usual this morning and then went upstairs,"
"Poor girl!" exclaimed Jogendra. "I suppose she's thoroughly ashamed of Ramesh's extraordinary con- duct, and that's why she doesn't want to face me," and he went upstairs to comfort his sister in her shame and distress. Hemnalini was alone in the large sitting- room. When she heard Jogendra's step she hurriedly picked up a book and made a pretence of reading it. She laid the book down as he entered and greeted him cheerfully :
"Hullo, when did you come in? You're not look- ing as well as you should be."
"How could I be?" cried Jogendra as he flung himself into a chair. "I've heard all about it, Hem. However, don't you worry ; it's only because I wasn't here that such a thing happened. I'll put things right again! By the way, Hem, did Ramesh not give you any reasons?"
Hemnalini found herself in a dilemma. She chafed at the suspicious attitude shared by Akshay and Jogendra, and she was reluctant to admit to Jogendra that Ramesh had given her no reason for postponing the wedding. On the other hand she refused to tell a downright lie.
"He was prepared to tell me but I didn't think it necessary," she answered.
"Pure pride," thought Jogendra; "characteristic !"
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