Indulekha

by O. Chandu Menon

  "Have you quite made up your mind to go?" asked Parvathi Amma.

  "Quite," replied Madhavan, "I must go."

  "When your father went out this morning, he left word that you were to meet him," said Parvathi Amma, and Madhavan immediately went to Govinda Panicker’s house.

  Govinda Panikar was a man of substance and possessed excellent qualities both of heart and mind. He had no relations dependent on him and as, therefore, there were no calls on his purse, he had amassed considerable wealth.

  When Madhavan went to him, he asked him if he had bathed and Madhavan replied in the affirmative. Then Govinda Panikar said, "Are you off to Madras tomorrow?"

  "Yes, I think I must go, father, if you have no objection," answered Madhavan.

  "If you think you must go, you must," responded his father, "you needn’t ask the head of your family for the money necessary for your journey and other expenses. I will give it to you. I have got a pair of earrings for you here. See here they are;" and so saying, Govinda Panikar gave Madhavan a pair of fine ruby earrings worth about Rs. 500, and added, "I thought you must have a present for passing so well in the Law examination, and here it is."

  "Oh! how good of you! These are lovely earrings," said Madhavan. "Let me have breakfast with you, father, only I must go and write a letter for the post to Madras, but I will be back in a minute."

  Madhavan then returned to his house and when he arrived there, met Indulekha’s maid, Ammu, who was just coming from it.

  "What is the matter?" asked Madhavan. "Anything particular ?"

  "My mistress has gone to the family bathhouse, sir, and said if you had time, would you step across and see her for a minute," said the girl.

  "Oh! very good," replied Madhavan.

  "Is anyone else with her?"

  "No one, sir," said Ammu.

  "Go on, please, in front," said Madhavan, and when he reached the bathhouse, Indulekha had taken off her ear ornaments preparatory to anointing herself with oil. On seeing Madhavan she rose, and replacing the jewels in her ears stood looking at him with a smile of love.

  Madhavan impetuously caught her in his arms and pressed her to his breast in a close embrace. Indulekha, responding for the moment, printed a passionate kiss on his lips, and then struggling to be free cried, "Let me go, let me go."

  "I am going to Madras tomorrow," said Madhavan.

  "So I heard," answered Indulekha, "but the High Court doesn’t open for a fortnight, does it? Why then are you going tomorrow; why should you go to Madras in such a hurry only because grandfather is angry?"

  "Did he not take an oath yesterday?" said Madhavan.

  "Yes," replied Indulekha, "but perhaps he took it because he did not know from me how matters stood."

  "Why should he consult you, Madhavi?" said Madhavan. "You must do what he wishes."

  "Of course I must do what he wishes, and I will," said Indulekha. "But in some things I mean to and can please myself, and the matter of this oath is one of those things."

  "My darling," replied Madhavan, "grandfather will drive you out of the house if you speak like that."

  "Well," responded Indulekha. "Did he not drive my chosen husband out yesterday? Then let him drive me out tomorrow."

  "But Madhavi," began Madhavan, "when your husband has no means of supporting you independently"

  "What matter?" broke in Indulekha. "I ask for nothing more than what Providence usually gives in this world to those who are turned out of their homes. Why should we stay here any longer? It was best for us to tell every one in all courtesy what we mean to do, and do it."

  "We had already resolved with all our hearts what we should do," said Madhavan, "and my uncle approved of it. Then came this quarrel which no one expected, and now our plans are all upset."

  "Not at all," returned Indulekha. "Nothing can upset them. If you are prepared to take me to Madras the day after tomorrow, I am ready to go."

  "Alas! that would be a great mistake," said Madhavan. "God alone knows what I suffer when I am away from you even for a moment, Madhavi, but I would suffer more if people would think evil of my darling, so we must be patient for a little. Five or six days ago Mr. Gilham wrote and told me that an assistant’s place in the Secretariat on a salary of Rs. 150 a month will be vacant almost immediately, and asked me if I would take it. I have said I would, but I don’t know how long I shall have to wait. If I get the place, I will come back at once, and then Madhavi, for you and me it shall be Madras. It is true my father is rich and might give us all the money we want, but it would never do for me to take my darling to Madras without having some employment by which we could live."

  "What are you holding in your hand wrapped up in paper?" asked Indulekha.

  "A present my father gave me just now," said Madhavan

  "A pair of beautiful ruby earrings. Look!"

  "They are beautiful," said Indulekha, "sit down here, I will put them in your ears."

  Madhavan sat down while Indulekha fastened the earrings and then attempted to rise.

  "Sit still," said Indulekha, "I must tie your hair myself. If it is tied so and made to drop on one side, we can see how your face and the earrings set off each other." After arranging his hair, Indulekha gazed at Madhavan’s face. Then, in token that the earrings suited him perfectly, she sighed as if her heart would break, and yielding to the impulses of love, rained a torrent of kisses on his cheeks until he felt delirious with delight.

  "Must you go tomorrow?" she murmured. "Has not uncle written to say that his law class closes in three days? Tell him to start at once."

  While the lovers were thus engaged in conversation and caresses, Lakshmi Kutty Amma came to the door of the bathhouse, and calling out "Who is talking there?", entered. "You ought to be thoroughly ashamed of yourselves," she said, "you must both be mad. Govinda Panikar has sent a servant in search of this boy here; you said you would have breakfast with him, Madhavan, and what do you mean by coming and amusing yourself here? Indulekha has no appetite today evidently. Foolish children! Is it true, my boy, that you are going to Madras tomorrow?"

  "What’s the time?" asked Madhavan.

  "Half-past ten."

  "Good gracious!" exclaimed Madhavan. "I ought to have sent a letter off today, and now it is too late. My father will be angry. I will see you again before I start," and jumping up he hurried to his father’s house.

  Govinda Panikar was seated ready for breakfast with a plantain leaf, which in this country serves for a plate, before him, and causing a leaf to be placed for Madhavan, he said, "Where have you been all this while, my boy?" "I was speaking to some one and overstayed my time," replied Madhavan. "I ought to have remembered that it was your breakfast hour, father, and I am sorry you should have been kept waiting like this on my account."

  "Or rather, on Indulekha’s account as well as yours," rejoined Govinda Panikar. "It would be hardly fair to visit the fault on you alone. Hallo! I see you have got the earrings on. That’s a little attention on Indulekh’s part, isn’t it?"

  Madhavan hung his head in confusion and began his breakfast.

  As soon as the meal was over, Govinda Panikar, taking his son inside the house, embraced him and, kissing his head, said:

  "You are anxious about Indulekha, but there is no need for you to despond. I know her well and have never yet seen a girl with her strength of mind. Much as I admire her beauty I am even still more impressed with her good sense and intelligence and firmness. You need never be afraid that she will in this life abate her attachment for you and marry anyone else. Panchu Menon, or even Fate himself, may try as much as he pleases to alienate her from you but neither of them will ever be able to shake her constancy."

  Madhavan remained silent and rested against his father’s breast, stroking his hand.

  Then Govind Panikar continued: "Do you intend to take Shinnan with you now?"

  "I want to," said Madhavan, "but I will do whatever you think best, father."

  "Do as you like, my son," repl
ied Govinda Panikar. "If you take him, I will supply all necessary funds."

  "Why should you, father?" exclaimed Madhavan, "surely my uncle ought to pay."

  "But supposing he won’t and I don’t think he will?" said Govinda Panikar.

  "If he won’t-" began Madhavan.

  "There, don’t fight about it," interposed Govinda Panikar "Panchu Menon is a man whose reason is distorted by passion. If there is a quarrel, people don’t consider the cause of it, but merely vent their ridicule on the parties to it, without any discrimination as to who is right and who is wrong, and the censure of the world is a thing to be dreaded."

  "I am very loth, father, that you should have to incur this cost on my account," said Madhavan.

  "What is the cost to me, my boy?" rejoined Govinda Panikar. "I may not be so rich as your family is, but my expenses are not so great and I can save more in proportion. Having only you to think of, I am quite ready to spend my money for your advantage and the attainment of your wishes. Take Shinnan with you then, but first ask your patriarch’s leave. No; don’t you go. I will send the boy’s father, Sheenu Patter, and he can ask. You should, however, say good-bye to Panchu Menon, and if he tries to make you quarrel don’t answer him."

  "Very well, father," answered Madhavan. "Let me dine with you this evening, but please start meals at your own time and don’t wait for me."

  While this conversation was going on, Sheenu Patter, who had come to see Govinda Panikar and was standing in the outer verandah, coughted slightly.

  "Who is there?" cried Govinda Panikar.

  "It is I-Sheenu Patter."

  "Come. in," said Govinda Panikar. "I will talk to him myself, Madhavan."

  Sheenu Patter entered immediately, and Govinda Panikar said, "Pray be seated."

  "Who’s this?" asked Sheenu Patter. "Is it Madhavan? What’s this rumour I hear? The head of the family is angry, and I’m not sure that he is not angry with me. I met him just now as I was coming from the temple, and he would not speak to me, but bent his head down and walked past me. I have never seen him look more offended. He has been angry with me once or twice before, but then there was some reason for it. I haven’t the faintest idea why he is so savage now."

  "You are Shinnan’s father, are you not?" said Madhavan. "That is quite sufficient reason."

  His listeners laughed, and Govinda Panikar said, addressing Sheenu Patter, "You must now go to Panchu Menon and say that Shinnan is to go to Madras, and all that is wanted is his consent. I have determined to pay for the boy’s education, and you can tell the patriarch so."

  "Oh dear! Oh dear," said Sheenu Patter, "must I go and tell him now? But I will say that I intend to pay for Shinnan. I must keep up some air of dignity, but he may make for me all the same. If he abuses me, I will let him have it back again."

  "No, no," said Govinda Panikar "keep clear of any quarrel. Say anything you like about the question of paying for Shinnan, but I wouldn’t advise you to tell a lie."

  "I shall say so," returned Sheenu Patter, "whether it is a lie or not."

  At these words Madhavan looked at his father and laughed. Then Govinda Panikar laughed. Sheenu Patter also laughed and, wagging his head, said, "I will say so." Then he started at once for Puvarangu, and going upstairs to the room where Panchu Menon was seated, stood in the outer verandah. On Panchu Menon calling out to know who was there, he replied "It is I; Sheenu."

  "What do you want here now?" demanded Panchu’ Menon.

  "I want to speak to you about something," said Sheenu Patter.

  "What is it? speak," returned Panchu Menon.

  "I am going to have my son Shinnan taught English," faltered Sheenu Patter.

  "Do you know English?" asked Panchu Menon.

  "I am going to pay money and have him taught," explained Sheenu Patter.

  "Go and have him taught then." rapped Panchu Menon.

  "I mean to send him to Madras," continued Sheenu Patter.

  "Send him to the devil, if you like," snarled Panchu Menon; "hang him on any gallows you please."

  "But," remonstrated Sheenu Patter, "they don’t teach English on the gallows."

  "What do you mean, you outcast?" vociferated Panchu Menon. "Don’t preach to me. I believe that young fool Madhavan has sent you here to insult me. Get out of my sight. Go down, will you? Hey, is there no one there to turn this fellow out?"

  Hereupon Sheenu Patter fled precipitately downstairs, muttering below his breath, "If I were an outcast, would you marry me to your women?"

  Early next morning Madhavan took Shinnan and departed for Madras, but, hearing of the paroxysm of rage into which the patriarch had worked himself, did not venture into his presence to take leave.

  Chapter 5

  After Shinnan’s departure to Madras without his consent and after Sheenu Patter’s impudent remarks, Panchu Menon’s fury exceeded all bounds. He began to abuse indiscriminately all who came in his way, and even, when he could venture to do so with impunity, to beat them. The first thing he did was to order Chather Menon to be sent for. Chather Menon, a most gentle and patient youth, accordingly came and stood before Panchu Menon in an attitude of deep humility, with his hand on his mouth, as if he were in the royal presence. Nevertheless, Panchu Menon thus accosted him: "Here, you hangdog blockhead, you vagabond, did you send Shinnan to Madras? Come, speak up." "Madhavan took Shinnan to Madras," replied Chather Menon.

  "Was it without your consent?" said Panchu Menon.

  "My consent was never particularly asked," said Chather Menon.

  "Was it with your consent or without it? Tell me that, you scoundrel, tell me that," shouted Panchu Menon.

  "I didn’t offer any opposition," said Chather Menon.

  "Then why the devil didn’t you?" asked Panchu Menon "Did you not know that I had not given my consent? If so, why didn’t you oppose his going!"

  "I was told that father had asked and obtained your consent," answered Chather Menon.

  "Whose father? do you mean that low caste fellow?" said Panchu Menon. "Ever since that bumptious upstart of an outcast was brought up into the family, we have had nothing but a run of bad luck. What did the renegade say to you ?"

  "It was Gopalan who told me that father had got your consent," said

  Chather Menon.

  "Send for him," returned Panchu Menon and Gopalan, a young man without discretion or any fixed purpose in life, accordingly came before the patriarch.

  "Now, sirrah," said Panchu Menon, "what did that outcast father of yours tell you? Did he tell you that I had given him leave to send Shinnan to Madras?"

  "My father is not an outcast," said Gopalan, "he is a Brahmin."

  "What do you say, you young dolt?" cried Panchu Menon, rising and striking him two or three times.

  "Don’t beat me for nothing," said Gopalan.

  "What will you do? Didn’t I beat you just now?" said Panchu Menon. "Didn’t you just feel my blows?"

  At this juncture Sankara Menon ran up in haste, stood before his uncle and, seizing Gopalan, thrust him back.

  "Ah! Sankaran," cried the old man, "everything is going wrong now. It’s a sign of the perverted age. You heard, didn’t you, how that stupid fool Madhavan insulted me? It was an evil hour for me when I had him taught English, and now I suffer for it. The next thing is that this ignorant lout, Gopalan, has the impudence to answer me. I should like to knock his teeth down his throat."

  "Don’t talk to these boys so much now uncle, but keep quiet," said Sankara Menon. "Nowadays there is no such thing as reverence. As for myself I never talk with them."

  "It is your fault," returned Panchu Menon, "that they are so beyond control. But I’ll take care that Chather has nothing more to do with the affairs of the Cheruturuthi estate. I’ll make him hand over the management at once, and render accounts of the collections of rent up to date. See that he does so this minute."

  "I am ready to obey your orders, uncle," said Chather Menon.

  "Be hanged to you," retorted Panch
u Menon, "your uncle’s orders forsooth! I suppose your bumptiousness comes from your being the son of that outcast. If you ever want anything, mind you shan’t have it, unless I choose. That braggart, Govinda Panikar, may give his son Madhavan what he likes. He has no family. What a coxcomb that Madhavan is; but what can that outcast father of yours give you when he himself can live only by hawking scraps scoured from the plantain-leaves off which Brahmins have fed. What do you mean then by being so bumptious? Can’t you speak?"

  "I have no one to look to for help but you, uncle," said Chather.

  "Then what do you mean by imitating Madhavan in impudence?" said Panchu Menon. "Who supplied the money for Shinnan?"

  "Gopalan said it was father," replied Chather.

  "Was it your father?" said Panchu Menon, turning to Gopalan.

  "Yes," answered Gopalan.

  "Your father, indeed," sneered Panchu Menon. "That worst of outcasts! That abject beggar who used to earn his livelihood as a common cook. How did he get the money?"

  "My father is not an outcast," said Gopalan. "None of your swagger here," cried Panchu Menon, rising and made a dash at him, while Sankara Menon, who interposed and tried to appease the old man’s wrath, received two or three blows for his pains. "Sankaran," panted Panchu Menon. "Take away all the lands. I have given him. He shall never have a pie after this."

  "I have leased all those lands to tenants for a year," remarked Gopalan. "The tenants won’t give them up till the year is out."

  "Won’t you give them up?" demanded Panchu Menon.

  "I said that the tenants won’t give them up," replied Gopalan.

  "You won’t give them up, won’t you?" said Panchu Menon. "Just see if I don’t make you, that’s all."

  "I should much like to see you have them given up," answered Gopalan.

  "Will you give them up or won’t you?" asked Panchu Menon.

  "I tell you they are not in my possession," said Gopalan.

  "What do you mean by telling such a pack of lies, you villain!" exclaimed Panchu Menon. "Do you mean to say that I never made over these lands to you?"