These words are spoken by the postmaster in answer to Ratan's question about possibly accompanying her employer back to Calcutta.
In the text, we learn that the postmaster's answer haunts Ratan "that whole night, in her waking and in her dreams." This is because his answer is an indication of his intentions, and as time progresses, Ratan's fears are confirmed when the postmaster prepares to leave without her. To Ratan, the postmaster's insensitive answer is also devastating proof that he doesn't view his relationship with her in the same light that she does. While Ratan has begun to think of the postmaster as family, he still remains emotionally detached from her.
Even on the day of the postmaster's departure, Ratan holds out hope that he will change his mind. However, he never does, and she is left devastated by his seemingly callous rejection. Rabindranath Tagore maintains that our "foolish human nature" causes us to hope beyond reason; this is why the postmaster's answer haunts Ratan. The truth of reality is sometimes incongruous with the perceived desires of the heart, and in Ratan's case, the contrast is devastating.
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