if I had brought new clothes for you, they'd tear, if I had brought an ornament it would soon
wear out. Out of my earnings I wish you to have something that'll last longer.
Bayaji paused after these words.
His eldest son was godly. He said, 'Neither we nor our wives want anything. Tell us
what you'd like us to do.'
'Look children, ours is such a large family. Even at mealtime, we've to eat by turns or
sit crowded, knocking our knees together.
I wish to build a house out of my earnings, and it
has to be a storeyed house; the usual three-portioned house won't be adequate for us.
'
All were happy with this plan.
The plan was finalised and the foundation of the storeyed house was laid on the
auspicious New Year Day.
goddammit (phr) : an expression used to show that one is angry or annoyed
momentum (n) : impetus gained by movement.
clambered (v) : climbed
jostling (v) : pushing
reluctantly (adv) : unwillingly
truant child (n.phr) : a child (a student) who stays away from school without
leave or permission
lurch (n) : sudden movement
helter -skelter (adv) : in disorderly haste
heaved (v) : uttered (a sigh)
grunted (v) : made a low, rough sound (expressing disagreement,
boredom or irritation)
dockyard (n) : place where ships are built and repaired