Pantulu suddenly flung his arms up and cried passionately—
"I am cursed! The gods have cursed me—me and my family!'
"In what manner, most excellent master of the house?"
"My son has become a Christian!—my only son! My only child!"
The words rang out sharply and reached the ears of the group that had circled round the master of the house. They were repeated from mouth to mouth with gathering consternation as the catastrophe was gradually realised. Gunga heard them, and at first seemed stunned, so still and silent did she remain. A groan escaped her lips, and the strong, shapely hands gripped the edge of her saree.
"A Christian! What do you say? My ears have played me false. I have not heard aright. My son a Christian? You jest, my husband!"
"It is true!" he replied, in a dull, despairing voice that in itself should have been convincing if she could have brought herself to believe in such a thing; but she fought against it, and refused to entertain the idea.
"Who dares to say that our son has become a Christian?" she asked fiercely.
"His own tongue. He calls himself by the accursed name, and he shows no shame."
"A Christian! a Christian!" echoed voices round him. "A Christian! a Christian!" was caught up by the women and repeated with increasing excitement.