My Mother — Page 131
Miscellaneous 131 among the women to play the games. He deemed the whole per- formance stupid but not wishing to make a fuss sat down where he was directed and stretched out his hand towards the articles with which the game was to be played. Suddenly his hand was firmly grasped at the wrist and pushed back by who exclaimed, ‘No, darling, you have not to go through with this silly, superstitious farce. ’ Bashir Ahmad being greatly relieved swept away the articles and beat a hasty retreat. Syed Inamullah was fond of food and deliberately made a lot of fuss about it, partly for show. Mother knew his penchant and took pleasure in indulging him. On one occasion he came to Daska from Sialkot to meet me, as he often did when he knew I would be at Daska. When lunch time came a servant brought the food from the house to the men’s quarter for the two of us. Inamullah seeing the servant carrying the large hamper contain- ing the dishes jumped up and seating himself at the table urged the servant, ‘Hurry up, hurry up, set it down’; stretched out his hand to the hamper and jolted it so that the plates and cutlery rattled. The servant was embarrassed, and I felt that the performance was undignified. I told Inamullah that I would not join him and would go home and eat with mother. He was abashed and I felt sorry for him, but I was annoyed and left him. When Mother saw me she said, ‘I have just sent the food out. ’ I muttered, ‘I shall eat with you. ’ ‘Ah, I see. Inamullah has been up to some of his tricks and you are annoyed with him. But, darling, you know his ways and he is your friend. Remember, friendship is forever. If you make a friend you must maintain the friendship till the end, or do not start it