Torapa. As soon as they get a Saheb who is a good man they want to destroy him. They are holding a meeting to drive off the Magistrate.
Second Ryot. I cannot understand whether they have found fault with the Magistrate of this or the other Zillah?
Torapa. He did not go to dine in the Factory. They prepared a dinner for the Magistrate, in order to get him within their power, but the Magistrate concealed himself like a stolen cow; he did not go to dinner. He is a person of a good family. Why should he go to the Indigo Planters? We have now understood, these Planters are the low people of Belata.[[17]]
First Ryot. Then how did the late Governor Saheb go about all the Indigo Factories, being feasted like a bride-groom just before the celebration of the marriage.[[18]] Did you not see that the Planter Sahebs brought him to this Factory well-adorned like a bride-groom?
Second Ryot. I think he has some share in this Indigo Company.
Torapa. No! can the Governor take a share in Indigo affairs? He came to increase his fame. If God preserve our present Governor, then we shall be able to procure something for our sustenance; and the great burden of Indigo shall no more hang on our shoulders.
Third Ryot. (With fear.) I die. If the ghost of this burden once attack a person, is it true that it does not quit him soon? My wife said so.
Torapa. Why have you brought this my brother here? For fear of the Sahebs, people are leaving the village; and my uncle Bochoroddi has formed the following sentence:
“The man with eyes like those of the cat, is an ignorant fool;
“So the Indigo of the Indigo Factory is an instrument of punishment.”