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38
NIL DARPAN, OR

portions of land free. "The Thief never hears the instructions of Religion." The wretched elder Saheb remained quiet, having burnt his wretched tongue.

Enter four Boys of a Native Patshala.

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

My dear Moyrani, where is your Indigo?
My dear Moyrani, where is your Indigo?
My dear Moyrani, where is your Indigo?

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.)

My dear Moyrani, where is your Indigo?
My dear Moyrani, where is your Indigo?
My dear Moyrani, where is your Indigo?

Enter Nobin Madhab.

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

(Exit Podi, covering herself with a veil.)

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

(Exit four boys.)

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