Krishna Kanta's Will (Chatterjee, Knight)/Part 1/Chapter 19
CHAPTER XIX.
Sitting with his uncle, Gobind Lâl began to talk on matters of business; he asked some questions about the estate. Krishna Kanta was pleased to observe this disposition in Gobind Lâl, and said, "If you (sons) would look into things a little, I should be glad. How much longer have I to live? If you don't learn about things now, you will understand nothing of the condition of the estate when I am gone; I am old and can't go about anywhere. The whole estate is being ruined for want of proper supervision."
"If you care to send me, I can go. I should like to visit all parts of the estate by degrees."
Krishna Kanta was delighted, and said, "I am extremely glad to hear you say so. At this moment there is a disturbance at Bandar Khâli. The râyats are on strike and won't pay their rents. They say, 'We pay rents, but the Nâib does not credit us with the amounts.' If you like to go there, I shall make the necessary arrangements."
Gobind Lâl consented. It was for this purpose he had come to Krishna Kanta. In this, the prime of his young manhood, his passions had all the force of the sea in motion, and his thirst for beauty was very keen. Bhramar did not satisfy this thirst. Rohini's beauty had arisen in his path as heavy clouds in a burning sky refresh the châtak's longing eyes. At sight of Rohini's form Gobind Lâl's mind became restless as the fickle peacock at the sight of clouds when the first rain begins. When he had become conscious of this the young husband swore to himself that even should it kill him he would not be unfaithful to Bhramar. He resolved to forget Rohini in devotion to business; in travel he should certainly be able to do so. It was with this design in his mind that he had sat conversing on business with his uncle. On hearing of the trouble at Bandar Khâli, he eagerly consented to go thither.
Bhramar heard that the second son was going into the country and insisted that she would go with him. For this boon she entreated on her knees, but her mother-in-law would not let her go. The boat was all ready, and, surrounded by the servants, Gobind Lâl kissed Bhramar and set out on his ten days' journey to Bandar Khâli.
First, Bhramar lay on the ground crying. Then, jumping up, she tore up "Annadâ Mangal," let loose the birds in the aviary, threw all her dolls in the water, destroyed all the plants in the pots, threw the dinner rice upon the cook, spun the servants round by their back hair, quarrelled with her sister-in-law, and after other such violent doings went to bed. In bed she pulled the sheet over her head and wept.
Meantime, impelled by a favourable wind, Gobind Lâl's boat stemmed the waves.