At this moment Surja Mukhi came
amongst them, the desultory talk ceased, and the younger women, all
pretending some occupation, sat down.
Surja Mukhi, examining the _Boisnavi_ from head to foot, inquired,
"Who are you?"
An aunt of Nagendra's explained: "She is a _Boisnavi_ who came to
sing. I never heard such beautiful singing! Will you let her sing for
you? Sing something about the goddesses."
Haridasi, having sung a beautiful piece about Sham, Surja Mukhi,
enchanted, dismissed her with a handsome present. The _Boisnavi_,
making a profound salute, cast one more glance at Kunda and went away.
Once out of the range of Surja Mukhi's eyes, she made a few gentle
taps on the tambourine, singing softly--
"Ah, my darling!
I'll give you honey to eat, golden robes to wear;
I'll fill your flask with _attar_,
And your jar with water of rose,
Your box with spice prepared by my own hand."
The _Boisnavi_ being gone, the women could talk of nothing else for
some time. First they praised her highly, then began to point out her
defects.
Biraj said, "She is beautiful, but her nose is somewhat flat."
Bama remarked, "Her complexion is too pale.
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