12 Bhishma
Just two days after Karna had been banished from the Academy, and before his expulsion had reached the ears of Kripa, Bhishma returned from his festival in Panchala.
‘How’s that little friend of Charvaka’s getting on?’ Bhishma asked Kripa, reminded of the affair when Drona’s name came up in conversation. ‘What’s the boy called?’
‘Drona still does not want him, I believe. He is going to ask you to remove him... His name is Karna.’
‘Karna?’
‘Yes, he wears ear-rings... It’s short for Karna-veshtakika, apparently.’
‘Well, I must go and see him. If Drona really is adamant, I suppose I’ll just have to send the boy back. But I’ll see how he is coming along.’
Bhishma was fond of the Pandava princes, so he was glad of an excuse to visit the Academy to see them after such a long ab
