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The quarrel thus ended, Kamal said, "If you really will not go, then make arrangements for me." "When will you come back?" "Need you ask?" said Kamal; "if you don't go, can I stay there long?" Srish Chandra sent Kamal Mani to Govindpur, but it is certain that Srish Chandra's employers did not do much in linseed at that time.
Srish Chandra was sitting alone in his boita khana one evening, when Nagendra entered, carpet-bag in hand, and throwing the bag to a distance, silently took a seat. Srish Chandra, seeing his distressed and wearied condition, was alarmed, but knew not how to ask an explanation. He knew that Nagendra had received the Brahmachari's letter at Benares, and had gone thence to Madhupur.
In this manner Debendra discovered Hira's affection for himself. He thought: "Now I know you, I can make you dance to my measure, and whenever I please effect my designs through you." With these thoughts in his mind, he departed. But Debendra did not yet know Hira. It is mid-day. Srish Babu is at office. The people in his house are all taking the noon siesta after their meal.
He cried like a boy, and his suffering was much lessened thereby. The grief that cannot weep is the messenger of death! As Nagendra became calmer, Srish Chandra said, "We will speak no more of this to-day." "What more is there to say?" said Nagendra. "The rest that happened I have seen with my own eyes. From Barhi she walked alone to Madhupur.
"This is what must be done," replied Kamal. "Surja Mukhi's wits are scattered, and must be restored. There is no one that can do this except Satish Babu. His aunt has written requesting that he may be sent to Govindpur." Satish Babu had in the meantime upset a vase of flowers, and was now aiming at the inkstand. Watching him, Srish Chandra said: "Yes; he he is well fitted to act as physician.
The grihini entered into conversation with Surja Mukhi, and, pitying her condition, took her into the boat, as she had said that she also was going to Benares." "What is the name of that Brahman? where does he live?" asked Nagendra, thinking that by some means he would find out the man and reward him. He then bade Srish Chandra continue.
Shám Babu scanned the advertisement columns of the daily paper and answered many offers of employment, learning, on each occasion, that he was far too old to fill the coveted post. One evening he sat in his parlour brooding over the many misfortunes which encompassed him. A distant connection named Srish Babu came in and, hearing that his host sorely needed work, said:
With much difficulty Srish Chandra restored Nagendra to consciousness; whereupon Nagendra cried loudly "Surja Mukhi, dearer to me than life, where art thou?" At this cry, Srish Chandra, stupefied and frightened, sat down in silence. At length, recovering his natural state, Nagendra said, "Speak." "What can I say?" asked Srish. "Speak!" said Nagendra. "If you do not I shall die before your eyes."
Srish Chandra would have gone with him, but Nagendra would not allow it. The wretched man wandered up and down the road like a madman for hours. He wished to forget himself in the crowd, but at that time there was no crowd; and who can forget himself?
A month passed by without news from his relative, and meantime Shám Babu received a tempting offer of employment. Before deciding what to do he wrote to Srish Babu, informing him of the fact and asking whether he could rely on him. A reply came to the effect that he might do as he pleased, but that the business in country produce, which he was to manage, would positively be started in a fortnight.
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