92
THE WRECK
tackle the job myself but I can't think how to go about it, and I should probably only come to blows with Ramesh! Well, I suppose you want a wash and some tea."
Akshay performed his ablutions and then sat down to drink his tea, with his brain busily employed. His thoughts were interrupted by the entrance of Annada Babu, leading his daughter by the hand. Hemnalini turned on her heel when she saw Akshay and left the room.
"It's too bad of Hem I" exclaimed Jogendra hotly. "Dad, you mustn't encourage her in that sort of rude- ness. You ought to compel her to come down," and he shouted, "Hem ! Hem !" but Hemnalini was already upstairs.
Akshay now intervened, "I really think you're spoil- ing my case, Jogen. It would be much better if you said nothing to her about me. Leave time to do its work. If you bully her now you'll only do irre- trievable mischief."
Akshay finished his tea and departed. This young man's fund of patience was inexhaustiUe. When the signals were against him he knew that there was noth- ing to do but to sit down and wait. His temper was very even. When insulted he neither looked haughty nor turned away in disgust. Snubs and slights left him unmoved, so thick was his hide. His friends might treat him in the most cavalier fashion and he never even winced.
No sooner had he departed than Annada Babu brought Hemnalini back to the tea-table. The colour had left her cheeks, and there were dark rings round her eyes. As she entered the room she did not raise her eyes, for she could not face Jogendra. She knew that he was out of patience with Ramesh and herself and that he had already passed a harsh sentence on them both, hence she shrank from meeting his eye.
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