Page:Nil Durpan.djvu/95

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ration of life to them. Babu Nobin Chunder is of a brave spirit, does good to others, is very munificent, a great improver of learning, and also of a patriotic mind; but the mist of the cruel Indigo Planters withered all his good qualities in the bud.

Enter the Pundit (a Sanskrit teacher) of the College

Welcome, Sir!

Pundit.   My body is naturally somewhat of a warm nature. I cannot bear the sunshine. The heat of the sun makes me, as it were, mad in the months of March, April and May. I had a very severe head-ache for a few days; and was not able to attend Bindu Madhab at all.

Dy. Inspector.   The Vishnu Toila (a kind of oil) can do you some good. The oil is prepared for Babu Vishnu, and to-morrow I shall send some to your house.

Pundit.   I am much obliged to you for that. A man of a healthy constitution becomes mad by teaching children; such am I.

Dy. Inspector.   Why don't we see our elder Pundit any more?

Pundit.   He is now trying some means to leave this doggish service. While his good son is making some acquisition of property, the family will be maintained like that of a king. It does not seem good for him now to go to and come from the college looking, with his books under his arm, like a bull yoked to the plough. He is now of age.

Re-enter Bindu Madhab

Bindu.   The Pundit is come.

Pundit.   Did the sinful creature show so much injustice? You did not hear it; at Christmas he spent ten days continually in that Factory. The ryot is to have justice from him! Can the Hindu celebrate his religious services before the Kazi (the Mahommedan judge).

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