74
THE WRECK
Jogendra. "Is this girl's name Kamala or not?"
Ramesh. "It is."
Jogendra. "Have you or have you not passed her off as your wife?" Ramesh. "I have."
Jogendra. "Do you expect me to believe you then? You want to tell us she isn't your wife. You've told every one else that she is. You don't set a very good example of veracity."
Akshay. "you mean, it's hardly the sort of instance that one would use in a college lecture on truthfulness. But after all, my dear Jogen, it may be necessary in practice to tell two different stories to two different sets of people when the circumstances are exceptional. The probabilities are that one or other of the stories is correct. Perhaps what Ramesh Babu told you is true after all."
Ramesh, "I'm not going to tell you people anything at all. I only say this much, that I am doing Hemnalini no wrong in marrying her. I have a very good reason for refusing to discuss Kamala's affairs with you. It would be wrong for me to do so, however suspicious you may think my conduct. If it w ere only a question of my own happiness and reputation I should keep nothing from you. But I decline to say anything, when by doing so I may jeopardize another's future."
Jogendra. "Have you told Hemnalini everything?"
Ramesh "No, I'll tell her after we're married. If she likes, I'll tell her even now."
Jogendra. "Well, may 1 put a few questions to Kamala about this?"
Ramesh. "Most certainly not! If you consider me guilty you can pass on me whatever sentence you think fit. Kamala is perfectly innocent, and I will not expose her to your cross-examination."
Jogendra, "It's quite unnecessary to question any- body at all. I've found out all that there is to know.
