Page:Nil Durpan.djvu/45

Aduri.   I think, Lady imprisonment^[1] has been made sterile.

Sabitri.   Aduri, be silent a little my child.

Reboti.   Moreover, the wife of the Indigo Planter, in order to make her husband's case strong (pakka), has sent a letter to the Magistrate, since it is said that the Magistrate hears her words most attentively.

Aduri.   I saw the lady; she has no shame at all. When the Magistrate of the Zillah^[2] (whose name occasions great terror) goes riding about through the village, the lady also rides on horseback, with him—The Bou riding about on a horse! Because the aunt of Kasi once laughed before the elder brother of her husband, all people ridiculed her; while this was the Magistrate of the Zillah.

Sabitri.   I see, wretched woman, thou wilt occasion some great misfortune one day. Now it is evening, Ghose Bou, better go home. There is Goddess Durga with you.

Reboti.   Now, I go my mother. I shall buy some oil from the shop; then there will be light in the house.

(Exit Reboti and Khetromany

Sabitri.   Can't you remain without speaking something at every word.

Enter SARALOTA with clothes on her head

Aduri.   Here, our washerwoman is come with her clothes.

Sabitri.   Thou, fool, why is she a washerwoman? She is my Bou of gold, my Goddess of good Fortune (patting her back). Is there no one in my family excepting you to bring down the clothes? Can't you, for one dunda^[3] sit quiet in one place? Art thou born of such a mad woman? How did you

1. Lady imprisonment: The Bengali synonym for 'imprisonment' is "Meyad" in the rural areas of Bengal. Aduri, being half-witted, takes the word 'Meyad' (imprisonment) as a woman and the word 'Pil' (in this case appeal) as a child.
2. Zillah: a district.
3. Dunda: Dunda is equal to 24 English minutes.

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