A Journal of Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya

When I went to meet the sisters three
days before Christmas, Ruby shifted closer
to me and said in a grave voice, “Mr
Nath, may I ask you one thing? Tell me
the truth-are you a Jew?”
I knew in what light they generally
held the Jews. Their fears, their vicissitudes,
their racial tragedies were all eclipsed by
one national trait-their inherent
deceitfulness. Perhaps my friendship had
become suspect in the eyes of these sisters.
When I had no intention of buying their
property what was my purpose in visiting
them? What did I want of them? Was I
also involved in some conspiracy against
them?... That elusive Chakravarty...
I recognized that trembling fear behind
Ruby’s staid expression.
“Miss Ruby, I’m a Hindustani,” I said
in a reassuring voice. “What made you
think that I’m a Jew?”
“There are Jews living in India also.
But I can understand now.
They must be telling lies. The Vermasthey
are also interested in buying our
kothi.”
“Forget about the kothi for the moment.
Can’t we meet as friends? Have you any
objection to that?”
“Not at all. They told us that people
wanted to kill us by poisoning us. All
of them have their eyes on our kothi.
Oh, yes, your wife had brought such
delicious kheer for us, Mr Nath, we haven’t
had kheer for years. Can you believe it?
The sweepress who lives in our servants
quarters was telling me the other day
that they eat chicken every day. That’s
why she is so strong and can flap the
durrie single-handed.”
“Oh, no, she must be joking.” •
“Then she must be eating chicken once
a week if not every day.”
‘‘Maybe.”
“And we haven’t had chicken for the
last six months.”
Grace gave a start as she heard some
noise. There were some monkeys in the
garden.
“They come here in search of food,”
Grace said, “Our aunt used to sell all the
fruit trees except one apricot tree for
the monkeys to have a free run of it.
The monkeys were happy. As they say
if the belly is full nobody creates trouble.
You understand?”
“Mr Nath, when we were studying in
Loreto Convent a monkey snatched away
my water bottle,” Ruby said getting into
a reminiscent mood. “You remember it,
Grace, don’t you? When we went with
friends on a picnic to Jakhu we took a
lot of nice photographs of monkeys. That
baby monkey sitting on your shoulder...’’
“Forget about it, Ruby. It is so painful
to spend the remaining days of your life
January-March 2012 :: 121