bring down the clothes? Can't you, for one dunda,[1] 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.
Enter Soirindri.
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.
(Exit all.)
SECOND ACT—FIRST SCENE.
The Godown of Begunbari Factory.
Torapa and four other Ryots sitting.
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 are 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.
- ↑ A dunda is equal to 24 English minutes.
