they rain like drops of nectar. I never saw such love towards one's brother as his, and also his brother shows the greatest affection for him. When he hears the name of Bindu Madhab, his heart overflows with joy, and it becomes, as it were, expanded. Also, as he is, so our Saralota is, (pressing Saralota's cheek) Saralota is as simplicity[1] itself. Have I not brought with me my huka[2]? It is the first thing which I have forgotten to bring with me.
Enter Aduri
Aduri, will you just go and bring me some ashes of tobacco?
Aduri. Where shall I now seek for it!
Soirindri. It is stuck on the thatched roof of the cook-room, on the right side of the steps leading into the room.
Aduri. Then, let me bring the ladder from the threshing floor; else how can I reach to the roof?
Saralota. Nicely understood indeed!
Soirindri. Why, can she not understand our mother-in-law's word? Don't you understand what steps are, and what Dain[3] signifies?
Aduri. Why shall I become a Dain; it is my fate. As soon as a poor woman becomes old and her teeth fall out she is immediately called a Dain. I shall speak of this to our mistress: am I become so old as to be called a Dain?
Soirindri. Silly! (Rising up) Youngest Bou, sit down, I am coming; to-day we shall hear the Betal[4] of Vidyasagar.[5]
- ↑ Saralota: English equivalent is 'Simplicity.'
- ↑ Huka: i. e. hookah. The translation here is mistaken. The words in the original mean a box containing ashes of tobacco—Ed.
- ↑ Dain: A Bengali word meaning either the right side, or a witch according to context.
- ↑ Betal: A mythological Book:—Ed.
- ↑ Vidyasagar: A great social reformer of Bengal, who retold the stories of "Betal"—Ed.
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