Torapa and four other Ryots sitting.
Torapa. Why do they not kill me at once? I can never show myself ungrateful. That eldest Babu, who has preserved my caste; he through whose influence I am living here; he, who by preserving my plough and the cows, is preserving my life,—shall I by giving false evidence throw the father of that Babu into prison? I can never do that; I would rather give my life.
First Ryot. Before sticks there can be no words; the stroke of Shamchand is a very terrible thrust. Have we a film on our eyes; did we not serve our eldest Babu? But, then, what can we do? If we do not give evidence they will never keep us as we are. Wood Saheb stood upon my breast and blood began to fall drop by drop. And the feet of the horse were, as it were, the hoofs of the ox.
Second Ryot. Thrusting in the nails; don’t you know the nails which are stuck under the shoes worn by the Sahebs?
Torapa. (Grinding his teeth with anger.) Why do you speak of the nails? My heart is bursting with having seen this blood. What do I say? If I can once get him in the Vataramari field, with one slap I can raise him in the air; and at once put a stop to all his “gad dams” and other words of chastisement.
Third Ryot. I am only a hireling, and keep men under me. When I heard about the plan which our master formed, I immediately refused to take any Indigo business on my hand, saying I shall never work for that. Why was I then confined in the godown? I thought that serving under him at this time, I shall be able to make a good collection and shall be able to attend to my friend; but I am rotting here in this place for five days, and again I am to go to that Andarabad.
Second Ryot. I went to that Andarabad once or twice; as also to that Factory of Bhabnapore, every one speaks good of the Saheb of that place; that Saheb once sent me to the Court, then I saw many things pleasant in that place.
Torapa. Did he find any fault with you? The Saheb of Bhabnapore never raises a false disturbance. “By speaking the truth, we shall ride on horseback.” Had all Sahebs been of the same character with him, then none would have spoken ill of the Sahebs.
Second Ryot. My heart over-flows with joy.
Now his torturing is all put a stop to. In his godown there are now seven persons; one of them a child. The vile man has filled his house also with kine and calves. Oh, what robbery is he carrying on!