"What news? When do they come? We have heard nothing." "It is not known when they arrive." "Why do you look so gloomy? Is the news otherwise than good?" "Yemmah! how can I tell? Aiyoh! to think of such a thing!" After this enigmatic speech she began to weep with the ready ease of the oriental. The sensation created was gratifying to her vanity. There was a perfect clamour for an explanation. "What is it? Speak! we are all on fire to learn!" "The master has sent an order by the wire that there are to be no rejoicings. Aiyoh! to think that the young excellency should return to his father's house without rejoicings, without feastings and garlandings, and without fireworks and feeding of the poor!" "What says the mistress?" "That there has been an accident or an illness, and that their honours, the master and his son are not coming. If there is bad luck it will be the waning moon that will have caused it. Next week all would have gone well. What news has been received in this house? Has the ticking devil sent any message?" "Only one. It was written on a thin slip of paper, and it came in a brown envelope." "What did it say?" "That the young master had landed in safety, and that they would leave Bombay by the night mail to-morrow." "And the rejoicings?" "There is no order to forbid them." "Is the swami here?" "He and his disciple arrived last night." "Happy house! Happy mistress of an honourable family. She is to be envied." "Our excellent lady has only one trouble; it is the presence of Coomara's widow." "What will she do about it? It will bring misfortune on the young master if he meets his sister immediately on arrival." "She will be locked in the room that opens into the cowyard; and she will be kept there till the middle of the next day. In the afternoon, when there is less fear of the frown of the gods, she may perhaps be permitted to see him; but only if he asks for her." Other members of Pantulu's household slipped away to carry the news to the neighbours. The story was told and retold with variations till the whole town was agog with curiosity. Many were the surmises, but not a single one came near the true solution of the mystery. On the morning of the day when Bopaul and his father were expected a large crowd gathered at the railway station to learn what had happened. No one knew whether Pantulu would be in the same train. It was Bopaul to whom they looked for news. Friends and fellow-caste men were permitted on the platform, which was crowded. A larger number, moved only by curiosity, assembled outside the station.