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Searching for a Bridegroom
263
"If not your affair, would they settle my affair ?"
“You are beating about the bush. More matter with less art! Say clearly what you have got to say".
"She is too proud to say it clearly”; said Mishraka, another companion, speaking in the middle.
"You are not proud! Then, why don't you speak out ?” said Vasant Tilaka, opening her eyes wide.
"If I had gone into the counsel-chamber stealthily, I would have spoken out clearly. I wouldn't have beaten about the bush like you" Mishraka also was not inferior to her in clever talk.
"We are wasting time in your irrelevant chatter! Mother will come here”, Anjana said with a little vexation.
“What's the matter, dear friend? Why is mother coming now ?" Vasanta asked.
“You know we have to go to the Nandishwardweep”. 'Ah! Yes! I totally forgot this”.
“Will you keep chattering thus irrelevantly or will you tell us what transpired at the counsel-chamber ?"
“Now listen! I will tell you everything”.
But even before Vasant Tilaka began her narration, Queen Hridaysundari came up, panting for breath.
"Anjana! What is this? You and your friends have not yet got ready!”
"I will get ready at once, mother”.
"Your gossip will never end; the king has been waiting for you. The time for setting off is fast approaching. We are all waiting only for you”.
"Mother, you go. We will join you immediately”.
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