Page:Masani - Gandhi's story.pdf/14

He could now hear excited voices outside, and then after a few minutes there was a loud knocking at his door. Lalloo's breathless voice shouted, “Wake up, Dada!” Dada is the Indian word for grandfather, and everybody in the village called Paltoo by that name.

Paltoo sprang up and opening the door asked anxiously, “What is it, Lalloo?"

Lalloo's face was pale in the lantern light he held in his hand. "They have killed our Gandhiji,” he replied in a hushed voice.

“What are you saying, Lalloo?” Paltoo exclaimed.

"It is true, Dada. Krishna, the truck driver, brought us the news. He has just driven down from Delhi. He says it happened this evening. Here he comes. Let him tell you himself how it happened.”

As Lalloo said this, Krishna emerged from the darkness. “Ram Ram, Dada,” he said , saluting Paltoo with respect.

“Ram Ram,” replied Paltoo. “What ill tidings do you bring us, son?"

"It is only too true, Dada. I wish it weren't.”

“Tell us exactly how it happened,” said Paltoo, his eyes wide with pain and horror.

“It was five o'clock this afternoon—the time for the prayer meeting. A large crowd had collected and was waiting for Gandhiji to start the prayers. He came out leaning on the shoulders of his two granddaughters