helped the Bengalee gentleman out of his palanquin, welcomed him with a smile lighting up his face, walked behind him into his drawing room, fanned him with his own hands; in short, treated him with the same lavish hospitality characterised by warmth of feeling and simplicity of manner as was traditional in his ancient house and enjoined by the shàstnas (the holy books).
Now in all this there was nothing different to the manner in which he had behaved towards the magistrate, who was a man of great influence, whereas the Bengalee school inspector, though a very worthy gentleman, had no power for good or ill over the fortunes of the Rajah. Thus it was clear that what common report described as subservience was, in fact, the essence of good manners, inasmuch as all those who came to his house, whatever their rank might be, were treated with perfect equality and with the same attention. Little wonder was it that when his character became more fully known the Rajah was beloved by all.
8
MOTHER AND SON
There was once a very poor Bràhman named Kàshinàth Gànguli. This man had never married and dwelt with his aged mother, to whom he was devotedly attached. Now it so happened that the district in which he lived was ill supplied with water, and his mother had to fetch water from a distance.
Now, as she was old and gradually becoming infirm, this greatly pained her son, and his grief can be imagined
