Part 6

_Bindu._ Come, Sir (_to the Pundit_). I don’t suppose all good. I go.

(_Exit Bindu Madhab and Chaprasi._)

_Pundit._ Yes; let us all go. I think some bad accident has taken place.

(_Exit both._)

Footnote 32:

This is a proverb, signifying you cannot separate the tares from wheat.

FOURTH ACT—THIRD SCENE. THE PRISON-HOUSE OF INDRABAD.

_The dead body of Goluk Chunder swinging, bound by his outer garment twisted like a rope; the Darogah of the Gaol and the Jamadar sitting._

_Darogah._ Who is gone to call Babu Bindu Madhab?

_Jamadar._ Manirodi is gone there. Till the Doctor comes, we cannot bring it down.

_Darogah._ Did not the Magistrate say, he will come here this day?

_Jamadar._ No, Sir, he has four days more to come. At Sachigunge on Saturday, they have a Champagne-party and ladies’ dance. Mrs. Wood can never dance with any other, but our Saheb; and I saw that, when I was a bearer. Mrs. Wood is very kind: through the influence of one letter, she got me the Jamadary of the Jail.

_Darogah._ Ah! The father of Babu Bindu Madhab expressed great sorrow at his not getting food. When Babu Bindu sees this, he will quit life.

_Enter_ BINDU MADHAB.

All things are by the will of God.

_Bindu._ What is this! What is this! Ah! ah! My father is dead while bound above ground with a rope! I was coming to try some means for his release. What sorrow! (_places his own head on the breast of the dead body, then clasps the corpse, and weeps_). Oh father! Hast thou at once broken the ties of affection towards us? Shalt thou no more praise Bindu before other men for his English education? Calling Nobin Madhab by the name of “Bhima[33] of Svaropur;” is that now put at an end? You have now made a treaty with Bipin (the son of Nobin) with whom you always had a quarrel, saying to the eldest Bou, “My mother, my mother.” Ah! as in the case of a heron and its mate, with their young ones flying in the air, in search of food, if the heron be killed by a fowler, the mate with her young ones falls into great danger, so shall my mother be when she hears of your being put to death, while hung above ground by a rope.

_Darogah._ (_Bringing Babu Bindu aside by taking hold of his hands._) Babu Bindu do not be so impatient now. Get the permission of the Doctor, and try to take the corpse soon to the Amritaghata.

_Enter Deputy Inspector and the Pundit._

_Bindu._ Darogah, do not speak of anything to me. Whatever consultation you have to make, make that with the Pundit and the Deputy Inspector. Through sorrow, I have lost the power of speech; let me take my father’s feet once on my breast. (_Sits up, taking the feet of Goluk on his breast._)

_Pundit._ (_To the Deputy Inspector._) Let me take Bindu Madhab on my lap; you had better unloose the rope. It is never proper to keep such a godly body in this hell.

_Darogah._ It will be necessary to wait for a short time.

_Pundit._ Are you the chowkidar of hell, else why have you such a character?

_Darogah._ Sir, you are wise, you are reproaching me.

_Enter the Doctor._

_Doctor._ Ho! Ho! Bindu Madhab! God’s will. The Pundit is come. Bindu must not leave the College.

_Pundit._ It is not proper for Bindu to leave the College.

_Bindu._ As to our estates and possessions, we have lost every thing; at last, our father has left us beggars (_weeps_); how can studying be any more carried on?

_Pundit._ The Indigo Planters have taken away the all of Bindu Madhab and his family.

_Doctor._ I have heard of these Planters from the Missionaries and also I have seen them myself. Once as I was coming from a certain Planter’s Factory at Matanagara, while I was sitting in a village, two ryots of the place were passing by the side of my palanquin; one of them had some milk with him, which I wanted to buy. Immediately, one whispered to the other, “The Indigo giant, the Indigo giant.” Then having left the milk, they ran off. I asked another ryot, and he said, that these persons ran off for fear of being compelled to take advances for Indigo; and as I had taken the advance, what reason is there for going to his godown. I understood, he took me for a planter; I gave the milk into that ryot’s hand, and went away from the place.

_D. Inspector._ A certain Missionary was passing through a village within the concern of Mr. Vally. As soon as the ryots saw him, they began to cry aloud, “The Indigo ghost is come out, the Indigo ghost is come out;” and having left that path, flew into their own houses. But as the ryots found, by and by, the bounty, mildness, and forgiving temper of these gentlemen, they began to wonder; and as much as the Missionaries showed heartfelt sorrow for the tortures which the poor people suffered from the Indigo Planters, so much the more they began to love them, and to have faith in them. Now the ryots say to each other, “All bamboos are of one tuft; but of one is made the frame of the Goddess Durga, and of another the sweepers basket.”

_Pundit._ Let us take away the dead body.

_Doctor._ We must be sharp. You can bring it out.

(_Bindu Madhab and the Deputy Inspector loosening the rope bring out the corpse._)

(_Exit all._)

Footnote 33:

Bhima or Brikadar was the second brother of Yudhistra and the second sond of Pandu.

FIFTH ACT—FIRST SCENE. | BEFORE THE OFFICE OF THE BAGHUNBARI FACTORY.

_Enter_ GOPINATH DAS _and a Herdsman_.

_Gopi._ How did you get so much information?

_Cowherd._ We are their neighbours; day and night, we go to their house. Whenever we are in want of any thing, either a little salt or a ladle of oil, we immediately go to them and bring it; if the child cry, we bring a little molasses from them and give it; we are getting our support for nearly seven generations from the Bose family; and can’t we get information about them?

_Gopi._ Where was Bindu Madhab married?

_Cowherd._ Oh, it is in a village to the west of Calcutta. In which they wanted to have the Kaistas[34] wear the poita. We cannot satisfy all the Brahmins now in existence in a great feast, and still they wanted to increase the number. The father-in-law of our young Babu is greatly respected. The Judge or Magistrate when they come to him take off their hats. Do such men give their daughters to men of these places? Observing the improvements in learning made by our young Babu, they did not care about the village belonging to ryots. People say that the women in cities are showy, and that there is no distinction between those who live within the house and those who live in the bazar.[35] But we do not at all find a young woman of a mild temper as the Bou of the Bose family is. The mother of Goma goes to their house every day, still, although she has been married for nearly five years, she has never seen her face. 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 the house when the news of Nobin being bound by the rope and thus killed came, the mistress of the family would have died. We 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 report.

_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[36] (full of rice). But have you kept the rice that she shall be full of it?[37] 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.[38]

_Cowherd._ What can I do? Is it my desire to sit in the Factory and abuse the Sahebs?

_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 head-ache and the miserable condition of his mother.

_Cowherd._ _It is the cold attacking a frog._[39] Dewanji, don’t be angry with me, I am as a mad goat; shall I prepare the tobacco?

_Gopi._ This stupid fellow of Nanda’s family is very senseless.

_Cowherd._ The Sahebs are doing all: _they themselves are blacksmiths and at the same time the cimeter; where they make one to fall, there they themselves also fall_. If ruin come upon these Saheb’s Factories, then the people of the villages save themselves by bathing.[40]

_Gopi._ You are very foolish. I don’t want to hear any more? Go out, the Saheb will come very soon.

_Cowherd._ Now, I am going. You must attend to my milk bill, and also give me one rupi to-morrow. We shall go to bathe in the Ganges.

(_Exit Cowherd._)

_Gopi._ _I think the thunder-bolt will strike this head, which is aching._ No one will be able to stop the Saheb in sowing the Indigo seed on the sides of your tank. The Sahebs did something improper. These persons engaged themselves to sow Indigo on fifty bigahs of land, although they did not get the full price for the last year. Yet the Sahebs are not satisfied; these disputes arose only for certain pieces of grounds; and it would have been good for Nobin Bose to have given them these—_to keep the goddess Sitola[41] well-pleased is the best_. Nobin will bite once more even after his death. (_Seeing the Saheb at a distance_). Here the white-bodied man with a blue dress is coming. I think, I am to remain as a companion with the former Dewan for some days.

_Enter_ MR. WOOD.

_Wood._ There will be a great quarrel at Matanagara: and all the latyals will be there. Let no one hear this? For this place, make a collection of ten of the poda caste of (Surki) brickpowder makers or sellers. I, Mr. Rose, and you are to go there. The fool while he has taken his cacha[42] will not be able to increase the row greatly. He is sick; then how can he go to bring assistance from the Darogah.

_Gopi._ The extreme weakness to which these are reduced, makes it unnecessary to bring any _surkiwallá_ among the Hindus, for a person to die with a rope round his neck, especially within a prison is very disgraceful; so he is greatly punished by this occurrence.

_Wood._ You do not understand this. The rascal is become very happy on the death of his father. He took the advances for a long time only through fear of his father; now that fear is gone, and he will do as he likes. The rascal has given a bad name to my Factory, and I will imprison him to-morrow and keep him along with Mojumdar. If the Magistrate be of the same character with him of Amaranagara, the wicked people will be able to do every thing.

_Gopi._ With respect to what they planned about the case of Mojumdar, I cannot say how very terrible it would have been, had not Nobin Bose fallen into this great danger. I cannot say what they still will do? Moreover, as the Magistrate, who is coming, we have heard, is on the side of the ryots; and when he comes to the villages, he brings along with him his tents.—Observing this, we may say, it might occasion great confusion, and also it is somewhat fearful.

_Wood._ You are always puzzling me with speaking of fear; the Indigo Planters, in nothing whatever, have any fear. If you don’t desire it, leave your business, thou great fool!

_Gopi._ Sir, fear comes on good grounds. When the former Dewan was put in prison, his son came to ask for the last six months’ salary of his father. On which you told him to make an application. Then, on his making the application, you again said the salary cannot be given before the accounts are closed. Honored Sir, is this the judgment on a servant when he is put in prison?

_Wood._ Did not I know this? Thou stupid, ungrateful creature! What becomes of your salaries? If you did not devour the price of the Indigo, would there be any deadly Commission? Would the poor ryots have gone to the Missionaries with tears in their eyes? You, rascal, have destroyed every thing. If the Indigo lessen in quantity, I shall sell your houses and indemnify myself; thou arrant coward, hellish knave!

_Gopi._ Sir, _we are like butcher’s dogs: we fill our bellies with the intestines_. Had you, Sir, taken the Indigo from the ryots in the very same way as the (Mahajans) factors take the corn from their debtors, then the Indigo Factories would never have suffered such disgrace; there would have been no necessity for an overseer and the khalasis, and the people would never have reproached me with saying “Cursed Gopi! Cursed Gopi!”

_Wood._ Thou art blind, thou hast no eyes.

_Enter an Umadar_ (_an Apprentice_).

I have seen with my own eyes (_applying his hand to his own eyes_) the Mahajans go to the ricefield, and quarrel with the ryots (their debtors). Ask this person.

_Apprentice._ Honored Sir, I can give many examples of that. The ryots say, it is through the grace of the Indigo Planters only that we are preserved from the hands of the Mahajans.

_Gopi._ (_Aside, to the Apprentice._) My child, it is vain flattery. No employment is vacant now. (_To Mr. Wood_) It is true that the Mahajans go to the rice-fields and dispute with the ryots; but if your Honor had been acquainted with the mysterious intention of the Mahajans in going to the fields and raising disputes, you would never have compared with the going of the Mahajans to the fields, the punishment of the poor with Shamchand resembling the tortures which Lakhman, the son of Sumitra, suffered by the Sacti-sela,[43]—while they are without food.

_Wood._ Very well, explain it to me. There must be some reason why these fools speak to us of every thing else; but of the Mahajans they don’t say a single word.

_Gopi._ Honored Sir, these debtors, whatever sum of money they require for the whole year, they take from the Mahajans, and that quantity of rice which is necessary for them for that time, they also take from their creditors. At the end of the year, the debtors clear their debts either by selling the tobacco, sugar-cane, sesamum, and other things which they have, and then giving the sum collected to their creditors with the interest on the sum for the time; or by giving those very articles according to the market price: and of the corn which grows, they send to the Mahajans’ houses, a part half-prepared. That which remains proves sufficient for the expenses of the family for three or four months. If through famine or any improper expenses of the debtors, there fall any arrears in their supplies, the remainder of the debt is carried into the new account-book. Then, by and by, the remainder is filled up. The Mahajans never bring an action against their debtors; consequently the falling into arrears appears to them, as it were, a present loss. I suppose the Mahajans for that reason, sometimes go to the fields, observe the preparation of the rice and also enquire whether the extent of land for which the debtors have asked the revenue from them, is all cultivated with grain. Some inexperienced persons, taking under false pretences a larger sum than is necessary, and thus being burdened with heavy debts, cause losses on the part of the Mahajans and also themselves suffer great trouble. The Mahajans go to the fields for stopping these, and not like “Indigo Giants” (_strikes his tongue_).[44] Sir, the stupid, shameless Mahajans speak thus.

_Wood._ I see, Saturn[45] has come upon you to your destruction; else why art thou become so very inquisitive, and why so presumptuous, you stupid, incestuous brute?

_Gopi._ Sir, we are made to swallow abuse, to submit to shoe-beating, and also we are the men to go to the Shrighur[46] (the prison); the men should there be a dispensary or school in the Factory you get the credit; should there be murders, we are the men. When I come to you for advice, you, Sir, become angry. That anxiety which I have felt for the law-suit of the Mojumdars, is only known to the Lord of all.

_Wood._ The fool is such, that whenever I tell him to do any action requiring courage, he brings to my ears the law-suit of the Mojumdar. I am saying always that thou art an ignorant fool; why don’t you become satisfied with sending Nobin Bose to the godown of Sochigunge.

_Gopi._ Thou, Sir, art the parent of this poor man; it would be good, if for the benefit of thy poor servant, thou sendest him once to Nobin Bose to ask him about this case.

_Wood._ Stop, thou upstart of a son. Shall I go to meet a dog for you? You coward son of a Kaista[47] (_throws him down with kicks_). Were you sent as a witness to the Commission, you would have ruined every thing, you diabolical niggar (_two kicks more_); with such a tongue you shall do your work like a Caot,[48] you stupid Kaet. Were it not for your work on to-morrow, I would send you to the jail.

(_Exit Mr. Wood and the Apprentice._)

_Gopi._ (_Rubbing his body all over and rising up_). A person becomes the Dewan of an Indigo Planter after being born a vulture[49] seven hundred times; else, how are numberless stockings digested?[50] Oh! what kickings! Oh! the fool is, as it were, the wife of a student who is out of College.[51]

(_Aside_) Dewan, Dewan.

_Gopi._ Your servant is present. Whose turn is it?

“In the sea of love are many waves.”

(_Exit Gopi._)

Footnote 34:

The writer class among the Natives of this country.

Footnote 35:

Signifying the distinction between the women or a good and that of a licentious character.

Footnote 36:

This is one of the names of Durga, meaning the goddess of Plenty.

Footnote 37:

Signifying, have you not taken away her whole possession? Then, how can she show her pity by supporting the poor?

Footnote 38:

That is, he will make every thing dark to you, as at the time of the new moon. In short, he will kill you.

Footnote 39:

That is, nothing; as the cold has no effect on the frog.

Footnote 40:

That is, purify themselves by bathing.

Footnote 41:

Sitola is the goddess of the small-pox; and the meaning of the above is that if that goddess be kept satisfied, the disease of the small-pox cannot come; and if come, will pass away.

Footnote 42:

This refers to Nobin Bose. The cacha signifies the piece of cloth kept by the sons on the death of their parents for one month, when the pinda or offering to the dead is made.

Footnote 43:

Lakhman was the brother of Rama. When they were gone to make war with Ravana of Lunka, (Ceylon) in a certain battle Lakhman suffered very much by the Sacti-sela (the name of a superior engine in a battle).

Footnote 44:

This is a sign of shame or fear.

Footnote 45:

The planet Saturn is said to have a very bad influence. Whenever it comes upon one, the utter ruin of that person is thought very near.

Footnote 46:

Ironically, the house of Prosperity.

Footnote 47:

The Kaista is the caste of writers.

Footnote 48:

Caot is the name of a mean caste, and the word Kaet is only a common form of expression for the term Kaista.

Footnote 49:

The vulture is taken for a detestable bird.

Footnote 50:

Signifying, else how can he bear so many kickings?

Footnote 51:

This is said only in reference to his dress.

FIFTH ACT—SECOND SCENE. THE BEDROOM OF NOBIN BOSE.

_Aduri crying when preparing Nobin’s bed._

_Aduri._ Ah! ha! ha! where shall I go? My heart is on the point of bursting. They have beaten him so severely that the pulse is moving very slowly; our mistress will die as soon as she sees this. When Nobin was taken by force to the Factory, they were tearing themselves and weeping under the shade of that tree; but when brought towards our house, they did not see that.

(_Aside._) We shall take him into the house.

_Aduri._ Bring him into the house. None of them are here.

_Enter_ SADHU _and_ TORAPA _bearing the senseless Nobin on their shoulders_.

_Sadhu._ (_Making Nobin Madhab to lie on the bed._) Madam, where art thou?

_Aduri._ They began to see, standing under the tree. When this person (_pointing to Torapa_) flew away with him, we thought he was taken to the Factory. They began to tear themselves under the tree. I came to the house to call certain persons. Will our mistress remain alive when she sees this dead son? Do you stand here; let me call them here.

(_Exit Aduri._)

_Enter the Priest._

_Priest._ Oh God, hast thou killed such a man! Hast thou stopped the provision of so many men! We do not find any such symptom that our eldest Babu will sit up again.

_Sadhu._ God’s will. He can give life to a dead man.

_Priest._ On the third day, Bindu Babu, according to the Shastras, celebrated the offering of the funeral cake (_pindadán_) on the banks of the Ganges; it is only through the entreaties of his mother that preparations are being made for the monthly ceremony (_shradh_). It was determined that after the celebration of the ceremony, their dwelling place is to be removed; and I also heard that they will no more meet with that cruel Saheb; then why did he go there to-day?