Chereads / The postmaster / Chapter 2 - Chapter—2

Chapter 2 - Chapter—2

Thus,in a very short time,Ratan had got as far as the double consonants

It seemed as though the showers of

of the seasons would never end.

Canals,ditches,and hollow were all overflowing with water.Day and night the patter of rain was heard,

and the croaking of frogs.The village roads became impassable,

and marketing had to be done in punts.Our heavily clouded morning

the postmaster's little pupil had been along waiting outside the door for her call,but,not hearing it as usual,she took up her dog-eared book, and slowly entered the room.

she found her master streched out on his bed,and, thinking that he was resting,she was about to retire on tip-toe,when she suddenly heard her name—'Ratan!' She turned at once and asked:'The postmaster in a plaintive voice said:

'I am not well.Feel my head;is it very hot?'In the loneliness of his

exile, and in the gloom of the rains,

his ailings body needed a little tender nursing.He longed to remember the touch on the forehead of soft hands with twinkling bracelets, to imagine the presence of loving womanhood, the nearness of mother and sister.

And the exile was not disappointed.

Ratan ceased to be a little girl.She at once stepped into the post of

mother,called in the village doctor,

gave the patient his pills at proper intervals,sat up all night by his pillow,cooked his gruel for him, and every now and then asked:Are you feeling a little better,Dada?'It was some time before the postmaster,

with weakened body,was able to leave his sick-bed.'No more of this,

'said he with decision.'I must get a transfer.'He at once rote off to Calcutta an application for a transfer on the ground of the unhealthiness of the place. Relieved 😌 😌 from her duties as nurse ,Ratan again took up her old place outside the door But she no longer heard the same old call. She would sometimes peep inside furtively to find the postmaster sitting on his chair, or stretched on his bed and starting absent -mindedly into the air. While Ratan was awaiting her call ,the postmaster was awaiting a reply to his application. The girl read her old lessons over and over again-her great 😃 fear was lest, when the call came she might be found wanting in the double ⏩ consonants. At last ,after a week ,the call did come one evening. With an overflowing heart ❤️ 💜 Ratan rushed into the room with her -'where youcalling me ,Dada?' ....comming soon...