Page:Nil Durpan.djvu/104

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We saw her only on that day when she came here. We thought that the Babus in the city keep company with the Europeans; therefore they have brought their females into public like English ladies.

Gopi.   But the Bou is always engaged in attending on her mother-in-law.

Cowherd.   Dewanji, what shall I say? The mother of Goma says: I heard a report that, had not the youngest Bou been in in the house when the news of Goluk Bose being bound by the rope and thus killed came, the mistress of the family would have died. We have heard also that the women in the city treat their husbands as sheep (slaves) and murder their parents by not giving them any support; but observing this Bou, I now know that it is a mere hearsay.

Gopi.   I think, the mother of Babu Nobin Chunder also loves her.

Cowherd.   I don't see any one in the world whom she does not love. Ah! She is an Annapurnah[1] (full of rice). But have you kept the rice that she shall be full of it? The vile Planters have swallowed up the old man, and they are now on the point of swallowing up the old woman.

Gopi.   Thou braggart fool, if the Saheb hear this, he will bring out your new moon.[2]

Cowherd.   What can I do? Is it my desire to sit in the Factory and abuse the Saheb? It is you who are drawing the venom out of me.

Gopi.   I am very sorry that I have destroyed this man of great honour by a false law-suit. I have also felt great pain on hearing of Nobin's severe headache and the miserable condition of his mother.

  1. Annapurnah: This is one of the names of Durga, the goddess of plenty.
  2. Bring out your new moon: That is, he will make everything dark to you, as at the time of new moon. In short, he will kill you.

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