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Updated: April 30, 2025
That of Shibprakásh was duly confirmed, and its new owner adjourned to the bar library to settle matters with his pleader. The meeting was joyful indeed. After congratulating Asu Babu on his unexpected success, Samarendra asked how he had managed it. The pleader at first refused to gratify his curiosity, but yielded to entreaty.
Poor Samarendra was too overwhelmed with the strangeness of his position to do himself justice. When the elder folks were quite alone they plunged into business. Basumati being an only daughter, Kumodini Babu determined to conduct her marriage on a magnificent scale.
"Babu, you dare to order me, a Brahman, to be ejected with violence from your house. Is there no religion left in this world? Mark my words, a day is coming when you will be poorer even than myself. I have spoken." Then he strode out of the courtyard in high dudgeon. Samarendra merely laughed aloud and hurled mocking epithets after his retreating figure, to which no reply was vouchsafed.
Will your honour give me a trifle towards making one up?" "No, I won't; if you belonged to this village you would know that I cannot afford to fling money about. My expenses are enormous!" "Now, please, don't refuse me, Rái Bahádur; surely you can spare a couple of rupees to a poor Brahman!" Samarendra was exasperated by the man's importunity. I won't give you anything!"
He paused and, after acknowledging the man's salám, remarked that he ought to make an effort to pay a part at least of what was due. Nagendra asked him to call next day with the receipts in question. Again the ryot affirmed that he owned nothing and appealed to the Bara Babu for corroboration. Samarendra was taken aback. "Yes," he stammered, "you did pay me something about a month ago."
The Collector has just called on us to show cause against the cancellation of the sale and will take the case up the day after to-morrow." Samarendra was thunderstruck by this information, the Shibprakásh estate being one of the best bargains he had ever got. After pondering a while, he asked, "What would you advise me to do? I am afraid it is hopeless to contend against a receipt in full!"
He asked Samarendra to describe an electrophone, whereon the lad began to tremble violently. Kumodini Babu had pity on his confusion and told him to run away. Needless to say he was promptly obeyed. It has become a Calcutta custom for possible fathers-in-law to cross-examine suitors on their text-books; but few boys are able to satisfy the test, however brilliant their acquirements may be.
Bipin was not so easily disheartened. He replied, "Let us consult our pleader, Asu Babu, who is sure to have some plan for upholding the sale. He won't ask more than Rs. 100, which is not a tenth of the annual profits for Shibprakásh." This course commended itself to Samarendra, who sent his headman back to Ghoria, promising to follow next day, with the necessary sinews of war.
Being informed that it was Samarendra Nath, he inquired the names of his father and grandfather, which were promptly given. "Good boy," observed Kumodini Babu, "the times are so completely out of joint that youths are ashamed to, utter their father's name, let alone their grandfather's. Where are you studying?" "At the Metropolitan Institution," was the reply.
Samarendra was soon provided with a post as clerk, which yielded enough to provide the cost of his father's funeral ceremony and also enabled him to pay Nagendra's school fees. One evening Rashbehári Babu went to bed supperless, complaining of indisposition. At midnight, Samarendra was awakened by his groans and found him writhing in agony on the floor.
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