he departed. But Debendra did not yet
know Hira.

CHAPTER XX.

GOOD NEWS.

It is mid-day. Srish Babu is at office. The people in his house are
all taking the noon siesta after their meal. The _boita khana_ is
locked. A mongrel terrier is sleeping on the door-mat outside, his
head between his paws. A couple of servants are seizing the
opportunity to chat together in whispers.

Kamal Mani is sitting in her sleeping chamber at her ease, needle in
hand, sewing at some canvas work, her hair all loose; no one about but
Satish Babu, indulging in many noises. Satish Babu at first tried to
snatch away his mother's wool; but finding it securely guarded, he
gave his mind to sucking the head of a clay tiger. In the distance a
cat with outstretched paws sits watching them both. Her disposition
was grave, her face indicated much wisdom and a heart void of
fickleness. She is thinking: "The condition of human creatures is
frightful; their minds are ever given to sewing canvas, playing with
dolls, or some such silly employment. Their thoughts are not turned to
good works, nor to providing suitable food for cats. What will become
of them hereafter?" Elsewhere, a lizard on the wall with upraised face
is watching a fly. No doubt he is pondering the evil disposition of
flies. A butterfly is flying about. In the spot where Satish Babu sits
eating sweets, the flies collect in swarms; the ants also do their
share towards removing the sweet food. In a few moments the lizard,
not being able to catch the fly, moves elsewhere. The cat also, seeing
no means by which she could improve the disposition of mankind,
heaving a sigh, slowly departs. The butterfly wings its way out of
the room. Kamal Mani, tired of her work, puts it down, and turns to
talk with Satish Babu.

"Oh, Satu Babu, can you tell me why men go to office?"

"Sli--li--bli," was the child's only answer.

"Satu Babu," said his mother, "mind you never go to office."

"Hama," said Satu.

"What do you mean by Hama? You must not go to office to do hama. Do
not go at all. If you do, the _Bou_ will sit crying at home before the
day is half done."

Satish Babu understood the word _Bou_, because Kamal Mani kept him in
order by saying that the _Bou_ would come and beat him; so he said,
"_Bou_ will beat."

"Remember that, then; if you go to office, the _Bou_ will beat you."

How long this sort of conversation would have continued does not
appear, for at that moment a maid