Stories of Bengalee Life/Signs of the Times/Chapter 3
CHAPTER III
Atul Ghosh, Zemindar of the neighbouring village, had a daugher fourteen years old, still unmarried. Binod Bihari, a young man of their of their own caste and of good family, accomplished and unmarried, had just arrived. What might not eventually result from these facts?
On the afternoon of that day, Ghosh Mahashoi sent a messenger to Bijai Mitra with a proposal. Bijai returned for answer that if such a thing should come about, it would give him pleasure: that he would inquire what his family and Binod thought of the proposal. The family said—"We have seen the maiden; there is nothing objectionable about her. If they are not too stingy with the dowry there will be no opposition, and the marriage might take place this April."
Even if a maiden has been seen a thousand times, yet, if a proposal of marriage be made for her, a state visit of inspection becomes necessary. So in an hour indicated as auspicious, Bijai Mitra went with a number of his friends to visit the maiden. Ghosh Mahashoi welcomed them very graciously; but when the matter of dowry came to be discussed, he was unwilling to go beyond a thousand rupees. The friends of the young man could not restrain a smile at the absurdity of the proposal. They said—"Why, the father of a lad who had just passed the Entrance and was reading for the F.A. would demand as much as a thousand rupees, and what would he be worth? He would be lucky if he obtained a post at Rs. 15 a month."
The girl's friends replied—"Ah! that is quite a separate matter. He is being educated. He is a fish of the sea, to what size he would grow we do not know yet. Perhaps he may one day be a judge of the High Court. But for one who has already entered service, the prospects have become limited to a certain extent, you admit that, don't you?"
In this sort of discussion Ghosh Mahashoi rose gradually to two thousand rupees. The others said—"A thousand in ornaments and gifts to the value of another thousand; else we cannot entertain the proposal." To which Ghosh Mahashoi replied that he would consider the matter and send them word. Approving of this decision, the young man's friends enjoyed a final smoke and went their way home.
The next day news came that Ghosh Mahashoi had with much difficulty raised his offer to two thousand five hundred rupees. If they were content with that, well; otherwise negotiations must cease. Bijai Mitra sent an answer saying that money was a matter of small value; a good connexion much more to be desired. And his desire for connexion with Ghosh Mahashoi was such that he agreed to let the dowry stand at two thousand and five hundred rupees. And now the day might be fixed upon.
There was no difficulty in satisfying Binod; but when he heard of the thousand rupees' worth of ornaments he began to grumble—"What sort of ornaments can one obtain for a thousand rupees, Bou Didi? The bracelets I had made for you cost over two hundred and fifty rupees. You can't get a decent set of ornaments for a thousand rupees."
"Of course you can't. They will serve the present purpose and you can change them afterwards when you have saved the money."
Binod meditated for a while, then said—"See, sister-in-law, let us manage this way. Tell those people not to have the ornaments made, but to give us cash the thousand rupees they are to cost; then, with thousand rupees of ours joined to it, I can have ornaments made to my taste in Calcutta. I shall have to go there to get this box opened."
Bou Didi, with her hand pressed to her brow, thought over the suggestion, then said—"It is not a bad idea. They shall be told to do that. And when we send the bride back to her parents we can array her in the ornaments."
"Say, sister-in-law, how many days will it take to go to Calcutta, get the ornaments made, and bring them here?"
"How many days? If you go to sister Abala's house in Nebutolah, call in the jeweller, and cause him to sit there and make the ornaments, they will be ready in seven days. That is how she has her own ornaments made."
"Will the Ghoshes agree?"
"Why should they not?"—replied the sister-in-law, who then went to consult her husband. Bijai Mitra said—"I see no reason why they should not agree." But, turning things over in his mind as he smoked, he thought within himself—"Whether my brother has secured a good post or not, his character has much deteriorated."
Atul Ghosh agreed. He could not let his daughter appear on the marriage seat quite devoid of ornaments, so he was obliged to supply some. Then he had to give the cash also. In the end the cost amounted to three thousand rupees. The marriage was carried out with great pomp. The bride's name was Sarat Kumari.