Gopi. Just see, in whose hand the monkey plays best. The Khait is one rogue, and the Crow another.
“Now have you fallen under the stroke of the Khait; where even the grand-father of the sister’s husband loses the game.”
THIRD ACT—SECOND SCENE.
The Bed-room of Nobin Madhab.
Nobin Madhab and Soirindri sitting.
Soirindri. Lord of my soul, what is preferable, whether the ornament or my father-in-law? That, for which thou art wandering about day and night; that, for which thou hast left thy food and sleep; that, for which thou art shedding tears incessantly; that, for which thy pleasant face has been depressed; and that which has occasioned thy head-ache; my dear Lord, can I not for that give away this my trifling ornament.
Nobin. My dear, you can, with ease[ease], give; but with what face shall I take it? What great troubles the husband is to undergo in order to dress his wife: he has to swim in the rapid stream, to throw himself into the deep ocean, engage in battles, to climb mountains, to live in the wilderness, and to go before the mouth of the tiger. The husband adorns his wife with so much trouble; am I so very foolish as to take away the ornament from the very same wife. O my lotus-eyed, wait a little. Let me see this day, and if, finally I cannot procure it, then I shall take your ornaments afterwards.
Soirindri. O my heart’s love! We are very unfortunate now; and who is there that shall give you on loan the sum of Co.’s Rs. 500 at such a time. I am entreating you again, take my ornaments and those of our youngest Bou, and try to procure money from a banker. Observing your troubles the lotus-like young Bou is become sad.
Nobin. Ah! my sweet-faced, the cruel words which you used struck on my heart like arrows of fire. Our youngest Bou, she is a girl; good clothes and beautiful ornaments are objects of pleasure to her. What understanding has she now? What does she know of family business. As our young Bipin cries when his neck-lace is taken from him in play, so our youngest Bou weeps when her ornaments are taken away. Oh, oh! am I formed so mean-spirited a man? Am I to be so cruel a robber? Shall I deceive a young girl? This can never be, as long as life exists. The worthless Indigo Planters even cannot commit such a crime. My dear, never use such a word before me.