Page 49 - English Reader - 8

The girl did not know how long they waited, how long they listened into the night, to the sound of
smashing glass, breaking wood, and raucous voices filled with hatred and aggression. And then the
noise died, and the mob moved on and the night was quiet again.

The girl looked searchingly at the woman’s face. Why had Tutu not come? Where was her Grandfather?
The woman turned her face away and walked slowly towards the door. She was about to bolt it when
she stopped and listened. They could hear footsteps and low whispers. There were people coming.
The girl tensed. Was it them? Was it Tutu and her Grandfather? She held her breath, but then rushed
towards the door, pulled it open and peered into the dark back lane. She could make out two figures
not very far away, one leading the other. And then their low voices reached her ears.

“We are almost there, Grandfather, we have made it. I know you have lost almost everything, but
you are alive.”
“We are all alive, my dear boy, thanks to you,” returned the old man, “You, the girl, and me.” And
then he called into the night, “Are you there, bitia-rani?”

– Sigrun Srivastava

Word Meanings

1. infuriated : extremely angry
2. groped : fumbled about

3. frail : feeble; weak
4. fanatics : extremists
5. grievances : complaints

6. pounding : the sound of heart beating strongly
7. dilapidated : worn out

8. bawled : shouted
9. crouching : bending down

10. hobbled : walked unsteadily
11. frenzied : angry

12. traitors : betrayers
13. sidled : walked
14. brutality : cruelty

15. welled up : came up

16. silhouette : shadowy outline
17. clamped : held tightly
18. rampage : wild and violent behaviour

19. exhaustion : the state of being very tired
20. raucous : harsh, loud, and rough

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