local bar was not a strong one in point of ability. Before leaving Calcutta, he went to pay his respects to a vakil living at Bhowanipur, who had known Subodh for a number of years and was kind to him. Subodh carried a small canvas bag with him and after exchanging the usual salutations, he said to the vakil—
"Will you do me a favour, Sir?"
"what is it?"
"I have got some little presents for you here in this bag. Will you be good enough to accept them?"
This excited the old gentleman's curiosity not a little. "What is it, Subodh?" he enquired,—"What have you brought for me?"
Subodh opened the bag and drew out of it a new chapkan of shining black alpacca and a brand new shamla. Placing the articles before the vakil, he said—"Do me the favour to accept these as presents."
The gentleman was rather taken aback at this unexpected proposal and said—"Well, but what is the meaning of it?"
Subodh replied smiling—"My motives are not at all disinterested. I shall expect something in return from you also."
"Pray speak out. I don't understand you, Subodh. what can I do for you?"
