My Mother — Page 55
Last Years of My Father 55 delicious fragrance. The physician gave him injections at short intervals to strengthen the heart. He did not object, though he did not think they were called for. Noticing my grief he tried to comfort me with, ‘Such situations are unavoidable. ’ In the late afternoon, Babu Abdul Hamid, Railway Auditor, whom I had requested to look after the necessary arrangements, called to see me and told me that the coffin was ready, and the cars would arrive at 2:00 a. m. He enquired about my father and I told him I was talking to him when he was announced. My brother Abdullah Khan arrived with our sister. He shook hands with father and held his hand between both his own awhile. Father withdrew his hand and placing it on my knee said to Abdullah, ‘My dear, I prefer to rest it here. ’ I knew on the basis of ’s dream that his time was running out fast and my heart yearned to keep in touch with him. At one time I whispered into his ear, ‘I love you so dearly that I wish I could take over your trouble. ’ He put his arm round my neck and drawing my face close to his whispered into my ear, ‘Such a wish has not Divine approval. Everyone at his proper turn. ’ A few minutes later I asked him, ‘Do you know who said, “You were the pupil of my eye, and now my eye is sightless; Let him who will, die after you—I was fearful only of you”?’ He answered, ‘Hasan bin Thabit said it of the Holy Prophet, peace be on him. ’ Dinner was announced. No one was disposed to eat, but Father insisted that the servants should not be kept waiting. I led the guests into the dining room but stayed only a few minutes and returned quickly to Father’s side. The evening was sultry and