Jhunia, comforted, clung even tighter to Hori’s feet and said, “Dada, now you are my father, and Amma, you are my mother. I am an orphan. Give me shelter, or else my uncle and brothers will devour me alive.”

Dhaniya could no longer restrain the surge of compassion within her. She said, “Come, sit inside the house. I will deal with your uncle and brothers. They do not rule the world. At most, they will take back their jewelry. Throw it at them, take it off and give it to them.”

Only a short while ago, in a fit of anger, Dhaniya had called Jhunia all manner of names—wanton, defiler, shameless. She had been about to sweep her out of the house. But now, when Jhunia heard these words, full of affection, forgiveness, and reassurance, she let go of Hori’s feet and clung to Dhaniya’s instead. And that same virtuous woman, who had never looked at any man but Hori, now embraced this sinner, wiped away her tears, and soothed her tormented heart with gentle words, like a bird sheltering her chick beneath her wings.

Hori signaled to Dhaniya to give Jhunia something to eat and drink, and then asked Jhunia, “Tell me, child, do you know where Gobar has gone?”

Hori could not hide his anxiety.

“When you saw him today, did he seem upset?”

“He was laughing and talking as usual. Only God knows what was in his heart.”

“What does your heart say—do you think he’s still in the village, or has he gone somewhere else?”

“I have a suspicion he’s gone away somewhere.”

“That’s what my heart says too. What foolishness! We were not his enemies. Once a thing is done, whether good or bad, it must be borne. By running away like this, he has brought calamity upon us.”

Dhaniya, taking Jhunia by the hand and leading her inside, said, “Coward! If you take someone’s hand, you must stand by them, not run away in disgrace. If he comes back now, I won’t let him set foot in this house.”

Hori lay down right there in the straw. Where had Gobar gone? This question circled in his heart like a restless bird.

Such an extraordinary event caused the commotion in the village that was only to be expected, and it continued for months. Jhunia’s two brothers, carrying sticks, roamed about searching for Gobar. Bhola swore that he would never again look at Jhunia’s face, nor set foot in this village. The talks of marriage that Hori had begun with them were now broken off. Now they would take the price of their cow, and in cash, and if there was any delay, they would file a claim against Hori and have his house and land auctioned off. The villagers excommunicated Hori; no one would share a hookah with him, nor drink water from his house. There was even talk of cutting off his water supply, but everyone had seen Dhaniya’s fierce form, so no one