A _khansamah_ who was
accustomed to serve in the women's apartment came to that place in his
search, and recognizing her, said, "Will you not please to come home?"
Surja Mukhi made no answer.
Again he said, "Pray come home, the whole household is anxious."
Then, in an angry voice, Surja Mukhi said, "Who are you to take me
back?"
The _khansamah_ was frightened; nevertheless he remained standing.
Then Surja Mukhi said, "If you stay there I shall drown myself in the
tank."
The _khansamah_, finding he was unable to do anything, ran swiftly
with the news to Nagendra. Nagendra came with a palanquin for her;
but Surja Mukhi was no longer there. He searched all about, but found
no trace.
Surja Mukhi had wandered thence into a wood. There she met an old
woman who had come to gather sticks. She had heard of a reward being
offered for finding Surja Mukhi, therefore on seeing her she asked--
"Are you not our mistress?"
"No, mother," replied Surja Mukhi.
"Yes, you must be our mistress."
"Who is your mistress?"
"The lady of the Babu's house."
"Am I wearing any gold ornaments that I should be the lady of the
Babu's house?"
The old woman thought, "That is true," and went further into the wood
gathering sticks.
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