"Husband, you are not well. The kitchen woman shall make you a hot drink that will warm your heart."
"My heart is already too hot! I have swallowed the red-hot balls that Yama prepares for the cursed after death. I want for nothing but relief from my pain; and who can give that?"
"Lying here with a broken spirit will not bring relief. It is a mistake to grieve while there is hope, unless it be for an hour or two as I and my women lamented last night. This morning I rise refreshed and ready to do battle with the evil. The struggle has begun and it has begun well. The boy broke the waterpot, struck the sweeper and commanded him to get out of his sight. He also refused his food last night. It must have tempted him sorely for I superintended the preparation of it myself; and I have not forgotten his tastes."
She sat down by the recumbent figure and passed her long soft hands over his limbs with a soothing touch.
"My boy went starving to bed?"
"As an ill-behaved son should!"
"He ate very little in the train, saying that he would the better enjoy his mother's curry. Eiheu!" he drew in his breath and breathed it out in a sigh. "He must have suffered in his hunger!"
Gunga's eyes flashed angrily, the lids closing quickly with an ominous snapping movement.
"Let him suffer! His troubles and his hunger have only just begun. They are nothing to what will follow if he remains obstinate," she said vindictively. "With your brother's help we shall bring down his pride in time."
Pantulu moved his hand as if in protestation. "Is it necessary? Can we not try other means first?"