Sadhu. My Lord, the hand is only blackened by killing a fly, i. e., your beating me only injures you. I am too mean. We—
Ray. (Angrily) O my brother, you had better stop; let them take what they can; our very stomach is on the point of falling down from hunger. The whole day is passed, we have not yet been able either to bathe or to take our food.
Amin. O rascal, where is your Court now? (Twists his ears).
Ray. (With violent panting). I now die! My mother! my mother!
Wood. Beat that “bloody nigger,” (beats with Shamchand, the leather strap).
Enter Nobin Madhab.
Ray. O thou Babu! I am dying! Give me some water. I am just dead!
Nobin. Saheb they have not bathed, neither have they taken the least food. The members of their family have not yet washed their faces. If you thus destroy your ryots by flogging them, who will prepare your Indigo? This Sadhu Churn prepared the produce of about four bigahs last year with the greatest trouble possible; and if with such severe beatings you make such cruel advances to them, that is only your loss. For this day give them leave, and to-morrow I myself shall bring them with me, and do as thou do’st bid me.
Wood. Attend to your own business. What concern have you with another’s affairs. Sadhu, give your opinion quickly, as it is my dinner time.
Sadhu. What is the use of waiting for my opinion? You have already marked off the four bigahs of the most productive land; and the Amin has, to-day, marked off the remaining part. The land is marked without my consent, the Indigo shall be prepared in the same way; and I also agree to prepare it without taking any advances.