But once its
shoot shows up above the surface, it grows and grows so fast,
there is no time to cover it up, neither with skirt, nor body,
nor even life itself.
I will try to think of it no more, but sit quiet--passive and
callous--let the crash come when it may. By the day after
tomorrow all will be over--publicity, laughter, bewailing,
questions, explanations--everything.
But I cannot forget the face of Amulya--beautiful, radiant with
devotion. He did not wait, despairing, for the blow of fate to
fall, but rushed into the thick of danger. In my misery I do him
reverence. He is my boy-god. Under the pretext of his
playfulness he took from me the weight of my burden. He would
save me by taking the punishment meant for me on his own head.
But how am Ito bear this terrible mercy of my God?
Oh, my child, my child, I do you reverence. Little brother mine,
I do you reverence. Pure are you, beautiful are you, I do you
reverence. May you come to my arms, in the next birth, as my own
child--that is my prayer.
------
29. Any dainties to be offered ceremonially should be made by the
lady of the house herself.
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