"Have you obtained your mother�s permission?"

"Yes, Sir. It is with her permission that I gave this bangle to you." Girls who give ornaments must not ask their parents to replace them before we have won swaraj. If they have some others, they may wear them; but for some time, they must not ask for new ones to be made."

"I have got one another such bangle with me. I won�t ask for a new one. I have given my bangle to you quite willingly."

Madhuri was looking on. She was also discussing something with her mother. She removed the glass bangles and the remaining gold one, and put them both in my hand!

"I accept this glass bangle. But I told you I would not accept your gold bangle even if you offered it. Please, therefore, do not give it. As it is, you have given much."

"So far as I am concerned, I have given it away to you. I do not want it at all. I have given it willingly. Kindly keep it."

Madhuri scored a victory over me. I broke my word and accepted the other bangle. With wrists and ears bare, Madhuri looked more handsome to me any rate. I hugged her to my heart.

Overcome with joy, I offered thanks to God.