human
Let us hear her first, he said to the lady, as, having listened to Pudma Bye's account of Tara, he sat in the outer verandah of the house the morning after their arrival, while Tara was within;
gpt
He is a stranger to me; what have I to do with him? she said.
human
Let me go away. I am not his to be questioned, but the Mother's at Tooljapoor.
gpt
Go, whispered Amba Bye to her;
human
Wilt thou now screen her, sister? cried Pudma Bye, in a shrill voice, and stretching out her bare skinny arms to Tara.
gpt
Is her shame to be our shame--we that have no spot or stain upon us? If thou art bewitched, I, that perform the nine penances daily, should not be exposed to this! Come, girl! it is pollution to touch thee--nevertheless, come, else I will drag thee to him.
human
Go! cried Amba, frightened at the other's voice of threat and scorn combined, of which she had had long and sad experience in the house.
gpt
I dare not keep thee now,--she is terrible. Go, Tara, and answer what they ask thee. Say the truth and the Mother will hear thee. O, that my lord were here! O, that he were here!
human
Come, cried Pudma, as, seizing Tara by the arm, she pulled her forward.
gpt
Art thou a child, to be ashamed,--thou that art a Moorlee?
human
Ah, Mother, she prayed silently,
gpt
I am not false to thee yet; let me not be tried more than I can bear. I will go, even to death, but not to shame. O Mother, not to shame! Let me go, lady, she continued to Pudma Bye,
human
I will follow thee.