CHAPTER XII.
HIRA.
On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower." This day Surja Mukhi was present.

She sent to call Kamal to hear the singing.

Kamal came, bringing Kunda Nandini with her.

The _Boisnavi_ sang-- "I would die for this blooming thorn, I will steal its honied sweets, I go to seek where it doth bloom, This fresh young bud." Kamal Mani frowned, and said: "_Boisnavi_ Didi, may ashes be thrown on your face! Can you not sing something else ?" Haridasi asked, "Why ?" Kamal, more angrily, said: "Why?
Bring a bough of the _babla_ tree, and show her how pleasant it is to be pierced by thorns." Surja Mukhi said gently: "We do not like songs of that sort; sing something suitable for the home circle." The _Boisnavi_, saying "Very well," began to sing-- "By clasping the Pandit's feet, I shall become learned in the Shastras; Learning thus the holy Shastras, who will dare speak ill of me ?" Kamal, frowning, said: "Listen to this singing if it pleases you, sister.

I shall go away." She went, and Surja Mukhi also left, with a displeased countenance.