Sabitri. Can’t you remain without speaking something at every word.

Aduri. Here, our washerwoman is come with her clothes.

Sabitri. Thou fool, why is she a washerwoman? She is my Bou of gold, my Goddess of good Fortune (patting her back). Is there no one in my family excepting you to bring down the clothes? Can’t you, for one dunda^[16] sit quiet in one place? Art thou born of such a mad woman? How did you tear off your cloth. I think you bruised yourself. Ah, her body is, as it were, a red lotus; and this one bruise has made the blood to come out with violence. Now, my daughter, I tell you, never move up and down the steps in the dark, in such a manner.

Soirindri. Now, our young Bou, let us go to the ghát.

Sabitri. Now, my daughters, while the evening light continues, you two together go and wash yourselves.

---

Torapa. Why do they not kill me at once? I can never show myself ungrateful. That eldest Babu, who has preserved my caste; he through whose influence I am living here; he, who by preserving my plough and the cows, is preserving my life,—shall I by giving false evidence throw the father of that Babu into prison? I can never do that; I would rather give my life.

First Ryot. Before sticks there can be no words; the stroke of Shamchand is a very terrible thrust. Have we a film on our eyes; did we not serve our eldest Babu? But, then, what can we do? If we do not give evidence they will never keep us as we are. Wood Saheb stood upon my breast and blood began to fall drop by drop. And the feet of the horse were, as it were, the hoofs of the ox.

Second Ryot. Thrusting in the nails; don’t you know the nails which are stuck under the shoes worn by the Sahebs?

Torapa. (Grinding his teeth with anger.) Why do you speak of the nails? My heart is bursting with having seen this blood. What do I say? If I can once get him in the Vataramari field, with one slap I can raise him in the air; and at once put a stop to all his “gad dams” and other words of chastisement.

Third Ryot. I am only a hireling, and keep men under me. When I heard about the plan which our master formed, I immediately refused to take any Indigo business on my hand, saying I shall never work for that. Why was I then confined in the godown? I thought that serving under him at this time, I shall be able to make a good collection and shall be able to attend to my friend; but I am rotting here in this place for five days, and again I am to go to that Andarabad.

Second Ryot. I went to that Andarabad once or twice; as also to that Factory of Bhabnapore, every one speaks good of the Saheb of that place; that Saheb once sent me to the Court, then I saw many things pleasant in that place.

Torapa. Did he find any fault with you? The Saheb of Bhabnapore never raises a false disturbance. “By speaking the truth, we shall ride on horseback.” Had all Sahebs been of the same character with him, then none would have spoken ill of the Sahebs.

Second Ryot. My heart over-flows with joy.

Now his torturing is all put a stop to. In his godown there are now seven persons; one of them a child. The vile man has filled his house also with kine and calves. Oh, what robbery is he carrying on!

Torapa. As soon as they get a Saheb who is a good man they want to destroy him. They are holding a meeting to drive off the Magistrate.

Second Ryot. I cannot understand whether they have found fault with the Magistrate of this or the other Zillah?

Torapa. He did not go to dine in the Factory. They prepared a dinner for the Magistrate, in order to get him within their power, but the Magistrate concealed himself like a stolen cow; he did not go to dinner. He is a person of a good family. Why should he go to the Indigo Planters? We have now understood, these Planters are the low people of Belata.^[17]

First Ryot. Then how did the late Governor Saheb go about all the Indigo Factories, being feasted like a bride-groom just before the celebration of the marriage.^[18] Did you not see that the Planter Sahebs brought him to this Factory well-adorned like a bride-groom?

Second Ryot. I think he has some share in this Indigo Company.

Torapa. No! can the Governor take a share in Indigo affairs? He came to increase his fame. If God preserve our present Governor, then we shall be able to procure something for our sustenance; and the great burden of Indigo shall no more hang on our shoulders.

Third Ryot. (With fear.) I die. If the ghost of this burden once attack a person, is it true that it does not quit him soon? My wife said so.

Torapa. Why have you brought this my brother here? For fear of the Sahebs, people are leaving the village; and my uncle Bochoroddi has formed the following sentence:

Bochoroddi is very expert in forming such sentences.

Second Ryot. Did not you hear another sentence which was composed by Nitá Atai?

Torapa. Aola Nochen has composed “Destroyed the Caste,” what is it?

Second Ryot.

Fourth Ryot. Ha! I do not know what is taking place in my house; I am become the inhabitant of three villages at once. I came away to Svaropur, and through the advice of Bose, I threw away the advance which was offered me. When my young child was sick I came to Bose to get from him a little sugar-candy. Ah! how very kind he was; how agreeable and good-looking in countenance I found him; and sitting as solemn as an elephant.

Torapa. How many bigahs have they given this year?

Fourth Ryot. Last year I prepared ten bigahs; but as to the price of that, they raised great confusion. This year again, they have given advances for fifteen bigahs; and I am doing exactly as they are ordering me; still, they leave not off insulting me.

First Ryot. I am laboring with my plough for these two years, and I have cultivated a little piece of ground. That piece of ground which I prepared this year, I kept for sesamum; but one day, our young Saheb, riding on his horse, came to the place, and waiting there himself, took possession of the whole piece. How can the ryots live if this is to continue?

Torapa. This is only the intrigue of the wicked Amin. Does the Saheb know every thing about land? This fool goes about like a revengeful dog: when he sees any good piece of land, he immediately gives notice of it to the Saheb. The Saheb has no want of money, and he has no need for borrowing money on credit. Then, why is it that the fool does so; if he have to cultivate Indigo, let him do so; let him buy oxen; let him prepare ploughs; if he cannot guide the plough himself, let him keep men under him. What want have you of lands? If you can cultivate the whole village; and we do not refuse to give the village. In that case the land can overflow with Indigo in two years. But he will not do it.

—(Aside, ho! ho! ho! má! má!) Gazi-Saheb! Gazi-Saheb! Durga! Durga!^[19] call your Rama. Within this there are ghosts. Be silent, be silent.

(Aside, Oh Indigo! You came to this land for our utter ruin. Ah! I cannot any more suffer this torture. I cannot say how many other Factories there are of this Concern. Within this one month-and-a-half, I have already drunk the water of fourteen Factories; and I do not know in what Factory I am now; and how can I know that, while I am taken in the night from one Factory to another, with my eyes entirely shut. Oh! my mother where art thou now?)

Third Ryot. Rama! Rama! Rama! Kali! Kali! Durga! Ganesha! Ashra!

Torapa. Silence, silence.

(Aside, Ah! I can make myself free from this hell, if I take the advance for five bigahs of land. Oh! my uncle, it is now proper to take the advance. Now, I see no means of giving the notice; my life is on the point of leaving the body. I have no more any power to speak. Oh my Mother, where art thou now? I have not seen thy holy feet for a month-and-a-half.)

Third Ryot. I shall speak of this to my wife; did you hear now? Although these are become ghosts after death, still have they not been able to extricate themselves from the Indigo advances.

First Ryot. Art thou so very ignorant?

Torapa. A person of a good family; I have understood that by the words. My uncle Prana, can you once take me up on your shoulders, then I can ask him where his residence is?

First Ryot. Thou art a Musulman.

Torapa. Then, you had better rise on my shoulders and see—(sits down) rise up—(sits on the shoulders) take hold of the wall; bring your face before the window—(seeing Gopi Churn at a distance) come down, come down, my uncle, Gopi is coming (first Ryot falls down).

Third Ryot. Dewan, there is a ghost in this room. Now, it was crying aloud.

Gopi. If you don’t say as I teach you, you must become a ghost of the very same kind. (Aside, to Mr. Rose) These persons have known about Mojumdar’s confinement, we must no more keep him in this Factory. It was not proper to keep him in that room.

Rose. I shall hear of that afterwards. What ryot has refused; what rascal is so very wicked? (Stamps his feet).

Gopi. These are all well-prepared. This Musulman is very wicked; he says, I can never show myself ungrateful, (nimak harámi).

Torapa. (Aside.) O my father! How very terrible the stick is! Now I must agree with them; as to future considerations I shall see what I can do afterwards. (Openly) Pardon me, Saheb! I, also, am become the same with you.

Planter. Be silent, thou child of the sow! This Ramkant is very sweet. (Strikes with Ramkant and also kicks him).

Torapa. Oh! oh! my mother, I am now dead! My uncle Prana, give me a little water; I die for water. My father, father!

Rose. Shall not filth be discharged into your mouth? (Strikes with his shoes).

Torapa. Whatever thou shalt say, I shall do. Before God, I ask pardon of thee, my Lord.

Rose. Now the villain has left his wickedness. To-night all must be sent. Just write to the Attorney, that as long as the evidence is not given, not one of these shall be let out. The Agent shall go with them. (To the Third Ryot). Why art thou crying? (Gives a kick).

Third Ryot. Bou, where art thou? These are murdering me. O my mother! Bou! my mother! I am killed, I am killed. (Falls upside down on the ground).

Rose. Thou, stupid, art become (bonra) mad.

Gopi. Now, Torapa, have you got your full of the onion and the shoe?

Torapa. Oh Dewanji, preserve me by giving a little water. I am on the point of death.

Gopi. The Indigo ware-house and the steam-engine room—these are places where the sweat shoots forth and water is drunk. Now, all of you, come with me, that you may at once drink water.

---

Saralota. Now, my dear love with an honest tongue is not come, and an elephant, as it were, is treading on the lotus-like heart. I have become hopeless amid very great hope. In expectation of the coming of the Lord of my life, I was waiting with greater disquietude of mind than the swallow (chátak) does when waiting for the drops of rain at the approaching rainy season. The way in which I was counting the days exactly corresponded with what my sister said, that each day appeared, as it were, a year, (deep sigh). The expectation as to the coming of my husband is now of no effect. The course of his life itself will prove successful, if the great action in which he is now engaged, can prove so. Oh, Lord of my life! We are born women, and cannot even go out to walk in the garden; we are unable to walk out in the city; can by no means form clubs for general good; we have no Colleges nor Courts, nor Brahma Samajs of our own; we have nothing of our own, to compose the mind, when it is once disturbed; and, moreover, we can never blame a woman when she feels any disquietude. O my Lord, we have only one to depend upon,—the husband is the object of the wife’s thought, of her understanding, her study, her acquisition, her meeting, her society; in short, this jewel—the husband—is all to a virtuous woman. O thou letter! thou art come from the hand of the dear object of my heart, I shall kiss thee, (kisses it); in thee is the name of my Lord; I shall hold thee on my burnt heart, (keeps it on her breast). Ah! how sweet are the words of my Lord; as often as I read it, my mind is more and more charmed (reads).

My Dear Sarala,—In my letter I cannot express what anxiety my mind feels, to see your sweet face. O what inexpressible pleasure do I feel when I place your beautiful (moonlike) face on my breast! I thought that that moment of happiness is come; but pain immediately overtook pleasure. The College is closed, but a great misfortune has come upon me; through the grace of God, if I be not able to extricate myself from it, I shall never be able any more to show my face to thee. The Indigo Planters have secretly brought an accusation against my father in the Court; their main design being, in some way or other, to throw him into Jail. I have sent letters, one after another, to my brother, giving him this information; and I myself am remaining here with the greatest care possible. Never disturb yourself with vain thoughts? The merciful Father must certainly make us successful. My dear, I have not forgotten the Bengali translation of “Shakespeare;” it cannot be got now in the shops; but one of my friends,friends, Bonkima by name, has given me one copy. When I come home, I shall bring it with me. My dear, what a great source of pleasure is the acquisition of learning! I am conversing with you, although at such a great distance, Ah! what great happiness would my mind have enjoyed if my mother did not forbid you to send letters to me.

As to myself—I have a full confidence as to that. If there be any fault in your character, then who should be an example of good conduct? Because I am fickle; cannot sit, for some time quietly in one place, my mother-in-law calls me the daughter of a mad woman. But, where is my fickleness now. In the place, where I have opened the letter of my dear Lord, I have spent nearly a fourth part of the day. The fickleness of the exterior part has now gone into the heart. As, on the boiling of the rice, the froth rising up makes the surface quiet, but the rice within is agitated; so am I now. I have not that smiling face now. A sweet smile is the wife of happiness; and so soon as happiness dies, the sweet smile goes along with it. My Lord, when thou shalt prove successful, every thing shall be preserved; if I am to see your face disquieted, all sides will be dark unto me. O my restless mind, wilt thou be not quieted? If you remain unquiet, that can be suffered. As to your weeping, none can see it, nor can hear it; but my eyes! you shall throw me into shame, (rubbing her eyes); if ye are not pacified, I shall not be able to go out of doors.

Aduri. What are you doing here? The elder Haldarni^[21] is not able to go to the tank-side. All whom I see are of a disturbed countenance.

Saralota. (A deep sigh.) Let us then go.

Aduri. I see you have not yet touched the oil. Your hairs are yet dusty, and you have not yet left the letter. Does our young Haldar write my name in the letter?

Saralota. Has the Bara Takur (the eldest brother of the husband) finished his bathing?

Aduri. The eldest Haldar is gone to the village. A law-suit is being carried on. Was that not written in your letter? Our master was weeping.

Saralota. (Aside) Truly, my Lord! Thou shalt not be able to show thy face, if thou can’st not prove successful. (Openly) Let us now rub ourselves with oil in the cook-room.

---

Podi. It is the degenerate Amin who is ruining the country. Is it through my own choice that I am levelling the axe at my feet,^[22] by giving the young woman to the Saheb? As to that preparation which Ray made, had it not been caught^[23] by Sadhu, she would have been provided with food and clothing for life. Ah, it bursts my heart when I see the face of Khetromani. Have I no feelings of compassion, because I have made a paramour my companion? Whenever she sees me still, she comes to me, calling me Aunt! Aunt! Can the mother, with a firm heart, give such a golden deer into the grasp of the tiger? How detestable is this, that for the sake of money, I have given up my caste and my life; and also am obliged to touch the bed of a Buno (rude tribe). That libertine, the elder Saheb, has made it a practice to beat me whenever he finds me, and has also said, he will cut off my nose and ears;—that vile man is come to an old age, can keep women in confinement, and can kick them; such a vile man, I have not seen in the present day. Let me go to the black-mouthed Amin and tell him that shall not be effected by me. Have I any power to go out in the town? Whenever the nasty fellows of the neighbourhood see me, they follow me as the Phinga (a kind of bird) does the crow.

(Aside, a song.) Whenever I sit down to reap the rice in the field, his eyes immediately come before my sight.

Cow-herd. Saheb, have not insects attacked thine Indigo-twigs?

Podi. Let them attack thy mother and sister, thou degenerate fool. Leave off thy mother’s breast, go to the house of Death; go to Colmighata, to the grave.^[24]

Cow-herd. I have also sent orders to prepare a pair of weeding knives.

Oh! the Latyal of the Indigo Factory.

Latyal. Thou, Oh lotus-faced, hast made the tooth-powder very dear.

Podi. (Seeing the silver chain round the waist of the Latyal.) Your chain is very grand.

Club-man. Don’t you know, my dear, the clothing of the bailiff and the dress of the dancer?

Podi. I wanted a black calf from you a long while ago, but yet you did not give it me. My brother, I shall not ask from thee any more.

Club-man. Dear lotus-faced, don’t be angry with me. To-morrow, we shall go to plunder the place called Shamanagara; and if I can get a black calf, I shall immediately keep that in your cow-house. When I shall return with my fish, I shall pass by your house.

Podi. The Planter Sahebs do nothing but rob. If the ryots be loaded in a less degree with exactions they can preserve their lives; and you^[25] can get your Indigo. The Munshies of Shamanagara entreated most earnestly to get ten portions of land free. “The Thief never hears the instructions of Religion.” The wretched elder Saheb remained quiet, having burnt his wretched tongue.

Four Boys. (Keeping down their mats, and expressing great mirth with the clapping of their hands.)

Podi. My child Kesoba, I am your aunt. Never use such words to me.

Four Boys. (Dance together.) My dear Moyrani; where is your Indigo?

Podi. My dear Ambika, I am your sister; don’t use me in this manner,

Four Boys. (Dance round Podi.)

Podi. What a shame is this, that I exposed my face to the elder Babu.

Nobin. Wicked and profligate woman. (To the children) You are playing on the road still; it is now too late, go home now.

Ah! I can within five days establish a school for these boys, if only the tyranny of the Indigo be once stopped. The Inspector of this part of the country is a very good man. How very good a man becomes, if only learning be acquired. He is young; but in his conversation he has the experience of years. He has a great desire that a school be established in this country. I am also not unwilling to give money for this purpose; the large Bungalow which I have, can be a good place for a school; moreover, what is more happy than to have the boys of one’s own country to read and write, and study in his own house, this is the true success of wealth and of labour. Bindu Madhab brought the Inspector with him, and it is his desire, that all with one mind try to establish the school. But observing the unfortunate state of the country, he was obliged to keep his design to himself; how very mild, quiet, good-natured, and wise is he become now! Wisdom in younger years is as beautiful as the fruits in a small plant. In reading of the sorrow which my brother has expressed in his letter even the hard stone is melted and the heart of the Indigo Planter would become soft. I cannot now rise up to go home, I do not see any means; I was not able to bring one of the five to my side, and I cannot find where they are taken away.^[26] I think Torapa will never speak a lie. It shall be a great loss to us, if the other four give evidence; especially as I was not able to make the least preparation; and again the Magistrate is a great friend of Mr. Wood.

Ryot. My elder Babu, preserve my two children; there is no one else to feed them. Last year, I gave eight carts’ load of Indigo, and I did not get a single pice for that, and also I am bound, as with cords, for the remainder. Again, they will take me to Andarabad.

Guard. The advance-money of the Indigo and the marking nut of the washer-man, as soon as they come in contact, become mostly joined. You villain come; you must first go to the Dewanji; your elder Babu also shall come to this.

Ryot. Come, I don’t fear this. I would rather have my body rot in the Jail than any more prepare the Indigo of that white man. My God! my God! none looks on the poor (weeps). My elder Babu, give my children food; they brought me to the field; and I was not able to see them once.

Nobin. What injustice! These two children will die without food in the same way as the new-born young of the hare suffer when the hare is in the hand of the savage hunters.

Ray. Had not my brother caught hold of us, I would have put a stop to her breathing. I would have killed her; then, at the utmost, I had been hanged within six months.^[27] That villain!

Nobin. Ray Churn, where art thou going?

Ray. Our mistress ordered me to call Putakur. The stupid Podi told me that the bailiff will bring the summons to-morrow.

Nobin. Oh! oh! oh! That which never took place in this family, has now come to pass. My father is very peaceful, honest, and of a sincere mind; knows not what disputes and enmities are; never goes out of the village; trembles with fear at the name of Court affairs, and even shed tears when he read the letter. If he is to go to Indrabad, he will turn mad; and if, to the jail, he will throw himself into the stream. Ah, such are the misfortunes that are to fall on him, while I, his son, am living! My mother is not so much afraid as my father is; she does not lose hope at once; with a firm mind, she is now invoking God. My deer-eyed is become, as it were, the deer in my volcano^[28]; she is become mad with fear and anxiety. Her father died in an Indigo Factory; and her fear, now, is lest the same happens to her husband. How many sides am I to keep quiet? Is it proper to fly off with the whole family; or, is it not right that to do good unto others is the highest virtue? I shall not turn aside hastily. I see, I am not able to do any good to Shamanagara; still, what work is there which is beyond the power of exertion? Let me see what I can do.

First P. My child, is the house of Goluk Chunder Bose in this quarter? I heard from my uncle, that person is very honest—the grandeur of the Bose family.

Nobin. (Bowing before him.) Sir, I am his eldest son.

First P. Yes! yes! very honest! To have such a son is not the result of a little virtue.

Second P. We had been invited by Babu Arabindu, of Sougandha. To-day, we remain in the house of Goluk Chunder; and shall do good unto you.

Nobin. This is my great fortune. Sirs, come by this way.

---

Gopi. As long as your share is not less, don’t bring anything to my notice.

Jailor. Can that filth be digested by one person eating the whole? I told him, if you eat, give a part to the Dewanji; but he says what power has your Dewan? He is not so much the son of a Keát, (shoemaker caste) that he shall direct the Saheb like unto one leading a monkey.monkey.

Gopi. Very well, now go; I shall show that Kaot (what a club) how strong he is.

The fellow has got so much power through the authority of the younger Saheb. I shall also say it is a very easy thing for one to carry on his work, if his master be the husband of his sister; the elder Saheb becomes very angry at this word. But the fellow is very angry with me; at every word, he shows me the Shamchand. That day he kicked me with his stockings on. These few days, I see that his temper is become somewhat mild towards me; since Goluk Bose is summoned, he has expressed a little kindness. A person is considered very expert by the Saheb, if he can bring about the ruin of many. “One becomes a good Physician by the death of one hundred patients.”

Here he is coming; let me first soften his mind by giving him some information about the Boses.

Saheb, tears have now come out of the eyes of Nobin Bose. Never was he punished more severely. His garden is taken away from him; the small pieces of land he had are all included among the lands which are given to Gada, Poda (low castes); his cultivation is nearly put a stop to; his magazines are all become empty, and he was sent into Court twice; in the midst of so many troubles, he still stood firm; but now he has fallen down.

Planter. That rascal was not able to do any thing in Shamanagara.

Gopi. Saheb, the Munshis came to him; but he told them, my mind is not at rest now, “my limbs are become powerless through weeping for my father, and I am, as it were, become mad.” On observing the wretched condition of Nobin, about seven or eight ryots of Shamanagara have all given up, and all are doing exactly as your Honour is ordering them.

Planter. You are a very good Dewan, and you have formed a very good plan.

Gopi. I knew Goluk Bose to be a coward, and that if he were obliged to go to Court, he would turn mad. As Nobin has a great affection for his father, he will of course be punished; and it was for this reason that I gave the advice to make the old man the defendant. Also, the plan which your Honour formed was not the less good. Our Indigo cultivation has been newly made on the sides of his tank; thus laying the snake’s eggs in his heart.

Planter. With one stone two birds have been killed; ten bigahs of land are cultivated with Indigo, and also that fool is punished. He shed much tears, saying that if Indigo be planted near the tank we shall be obliged to leave our habitation; but I said, to cultivate Indigo in one’s habitation is to the best advantage.

Gopi. And the fool brought an action in the Court, on hearing that reply.

Planter. That will be of no effect; that Magistrate is a very good man. If the case turn into a civil one it will never be concluded in less than five years. That Magistrate is a great friend of mine. Just see, by the new Act, the four rascals were thrown into prison only by making your evidence strong. This Act is become the brother of the sword.

Gopi. Saheb, in order that those four ryots might not suffer loss in their cultivation, Nobin Bose has given his own plough, kine, and harrow for the ploughing of their lands; and he is trying his utmost that their families might not suffer great trouble.

Planter. When he is required to plough this land, for which advances are allowed, he says, my ploughs and kine are less in number. He is very wicked; and now he is very well punished. Dewan, now you have done very well, and now I see work may be carried on by you, without loss.

Gopi. Saheb, it is your own favour. My desire is, that advances should be increased every year. But that cannot be done by me alone; some confident Amin and Khalasis are necessary. Can the Indigo cultivation be improved by those who, for the sake of two rupees, occasioned the loss of the produce of three bigahs of land?

Planter. I have understood it, the rascally Amin occasioned this confusion.

Gopi. Saheb, the new habitation, and the taking of advances of Chunder Goladar are not allowed here. The Amin once, according to regular custom, threw one rupee on his ground as an advance. That person, in order to be allowed to return that rupee even shed tears and came along with the Amin as far as Ruthtollah, begging him earnestly to take it back. There he met with Nilkanta Babu, who has chosen the profession of an Attorney immediately after leaving the College.

Planter. I know that rascal; he, it is, who writes every thing concerning me in the newspapers.

Gopi. Their papers can never stand before yours, can by no means bear a comparison; and, moreover, they are as the earthen bottles for cooling water compared to the jars of Dacca. But, to bring the newspapers within your influence, great expense has been incurred. That takes place according to time; as is said,

Planter. What did Nilkanta do?

Gopi. He sharply rebuked the Amin; and the Amin with no little shame brought back that one rupee, with two rupees more, from Goladar’s house. Chunder Goladar would have been able very easily to supply the Indigo for three or four bigahs. Is this the work of a servant? If I can conduct the Dewanny and the business of the Amin,Amin, then this kind of ingratitude can be stopped.

Planter. Great wickedness this is; evident ingratitude.

Gopi. Saheb, grant pardon for this bad conduct; the Amin brought his own sister to our younger Saheb’s room.

Planter. Yes! Yes! I know; that rascal and Podi corrupted our young Saheb. I must give that wicked fool some instruction very soon. Send him to my sitting room.

Gopi. Just see, in whose hand the monkey plays best. The Khait is one rogue, and the Crow another.

“Now have you fallen under the stroke of the Khait; where even the grand-father of the sister’s husband loses the game.”

---

Soirindri. Lord of my soul, what is preferable, whether the ornament or my father-in-law? That, for which thou art wandering about day and night; that, for which thou hast left thy food and sleep; that, for which thou art shedding tears incessantly; that, for which thy pleasant face has been depressed; and that which has occasioned thy head-ache; my dear Lord, can I not for that give away this my trifling ornament.

Nobin. My dear, you can, with easeease, give; but with what face shall I take it? What great troubles the husband is to undergo in order to dress his wife: he has to swim in the rapid stream, to throw himself into the deep ocean, engage in battles, to climb mountains, to live in the wilderness, and to go before the mouth of the tiger. The husband adorns his wife with so much trouble; am I so very foolish as to take away the ornament from the very same wife. O my lotus-eyed, wait a little. Let me see this day, and if, finally I cannot procure it, then I shall take your ornaments afterwards.

Soirindri. O my heart’s love! We are very unfortunate now; and who is there that shall give you on loan the sum of Co.’s Rs. 500 at such a time. I am entreating you again, take my ornaments and those of our youngest Bou, and try to procure money from a banker. Observing your troubles the lotus-like young Bou is become sad.

Nobin. Ah! my sweet-faced, the cruel words which you used struck on my heart like arrows of fire. Our youngest Bou, she is a girl; good clothes and beautiful ornaments are objects of pleasure to her. What understanding has she now? What does she know of family business. As our young Bipin cries when his neck-lace is taken from him in play, so our youngest Bou weeps when her ornaments are taken away. Oh, oh! am I formed so mean-spirited a man? Am I to be so cruel a robber? Shall I deceive a young girl? This can never be, as long as life exists. The worthless Indigo Planters even cannot commit such a crime. My dear, never use such a word before me.

Soirindri. Beloved of my soul, that pain with which I told these words, is only known to me and the omniscient God. What doubt is there, that they are fiery arrows? They have burst my heart and burnt my tongue, and then having divided the lips, have entered your heart. It is with great pain that I told you to take the ornaments of the youngest Bou. Can there be any pleasure in the mind, after having observed this your insane wandering, this weeping of my father-in-law, the deep sighs of my mother-in-law, the sad face of the youngest Bou, the dejected countenance of relatives and friends, and the sorrowful mournings of the ryots? If by any means we can restore safety, then all shall be safe. My Lord, I do feel the same pain in giving the ornaments of our youngest Bou, as if I had to give those of Bipin; but if I give away the ornaments of Bipin, before giving those of the youngest Bou, that would prove an act of cruelty to her; since, she might think that my sister looks on me as a stranger. Can I give pain to her honest heart by doing this? Is this the work of the elder sister who is like a mother?

Nobin. My dear love! Your heart is very sincere. There is not a second to you in sincerity in the female race. Is this my family reduced to this state! What was I, and what am I now become! The sum of my profits was seven hundred Rupees. I had fifteen warehouses for corn, sixteen bigahs of garden land, twenty ploughs and fifty harrows. What great feasts had I at the time of the Puja; the house filled with men, feasting the Brahmins, gifts to the poor, the feasting of friends and relations, the musical entertainments of the Voishnabas, and also pleasant theatrical representations. I have expended such large sums, and even given as donations one hundred Rupees. Being so rich, now I am obliged to take away the ornaments of my wife, and the wife of my young brother. What affliction? God, thou didst give these, and thou hast taken them again. Then, what sorrow?

Soirindri. My dear, when I see you weep, my life itself weeps (tears in her eyes). Was there so much pain in my fate; am I thus destined to see such distress in my Lord? Do not prevent me any more. (Takes out the amulet.)

Nobin. My heartheart bursts when I see your tears (rubbing the tears). Stop my dear, of the moon-like face, stop (taking hold of her hands). Keep these; one day more, let me see.

Soirindri. My dear, what further resource is left? Do, as I tell you now. If it be so destined, there shall be many ornaments afterwards (aside, sneezing); true, true. Aduri is coming.