The arcaded courtyard recessed about a cluster of temples, where Swâmi Viseshwar Nâth taught his disciples, was empty as yet when Chris reached it, save for half a dozen figures scarce distinguishable from the one which had summoned him. All, in these early hours, were busy over ceremonials of sorts; but all looked up at the newcomer with that dull disapproval.
'The guru is within,' said one sullenly.
Chris did not need direction. Had he not learned the precious shibboleths of his twice-born race yonder at the master's feet?
'So thou hast come, Krishn. Take thy seat, pupil, and listen,' came a voice.
It was almost dark in the slip of a room behind the arcades, but Chris could see, by the help of memory, the unmovable figure, the placid face with its wide thin lips. He saw in a flash, also, everything that had ever happened to him in this, his earliest school, and the old awe that comes with such memories fell on him as he obeyed.
'There is no need,' continued the voice, 'to tell thee that I know what thou wouldest rather I did not know. Neither canst thou pretend ignorance of what such knowledge means. Therefore, Krishn, there is naught to say but this. What art thou about to do?'
Chris had been asking himself the question, but he resented its being put to him.
'That depends,' he was beginning, when the Swâmi stopped him by laying an impassive hand on his wrist.
'To save time, I will tell thee. Out of past years--as thou didst disappear in them--thou shalt return--as thou didst go--Krishn Davenund, Brahmin, twice-born. There shall be no question asked, no answers needed. Thou shalt return to us--I, Viseshwar Nâth, parohit of thy race, say it, and none shall quarrel me--thou shalt return to hold a woman's hand, and circle the sacred fire--her hand, Naraini's, whom the gods keep for thee, whom I, child, have kept for thee!'
The words with the nameless rhythm in them, which the use of Sanskrit phrases gives to the vulgar tongue, echoed softly into the arches, and Chris felt his eyes, his ears held captive by the insignificant figure that was hedged about by no sign of dignity or office save the leopard skin on which it crouched, naked.