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On his again asserting inability Ramani Babu ordered his hut to be levelled with the ground and pulse to be sown on its site, as a punishment for his disobedience. He was then allowed to leave the scene of his misery. On reaching home he found Bemani seated in the porch, in expectation of his arrival.
He even sent for his wife and a young sister-in-law, who had been staying with her brother near Calcutta. Meantime Bemani had taken out a summons for causing grievous hurt against Ramani Babu and his servants. When the case came on for hearing before a Deputy Magistrate at Ghoria, all the accused pleaded "not guilty."
With this remark he stood erect, looking fearlessly at his tormentors. Sarbeshwar administered another welting, which drew blood at every stroke but was borne without sound or movement. When the doorkeeper stopped for want of breath, Bemani cast a look of scorn at Ramani Babu and strode out of the house in silence, full of rage. Presently another disturbance was heard.
"No, I have paid once, and I won't pay again," yelled Bemani, thoroughly roused. Ramani Babu beckoned to a stalwart doorkeeper from the Upper Provinces, who was standing near. He was zealously obeyed and poor Bemani was thrashed until he lay writhing in agony on the ground. After taking his punishment he rose, and looking defiantly at Ramani Babu said:
Bemani vainly invoked Allah to witness that he had discharged his dues; the bailiff ordered him to pay within twenty-four hours on pain of severe punishment. Goaded to fury by this palpable injustice the poor man declined to do anything of the kind. At this stage Ramani Babu intervened: "You son of a pig, are you going to obey my orders or not?"
"You have treated me cruelly; but you will find that there is a God who watches all our actions. He will certainly deal out retribution to you!" He then turned to go. "I see you are not yet cured," exclaimed Ramani Babu. "Let him have another dose of Shámchand." "Yes, go on!" roared Bemani, "beat me as much as you please; you'll have reason to repent sooner or later!"
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