Sadhu. We don’t see any sign of the pulse.
Physician. (Taking hold of the hand). In this state, it is good for the pulse to be weak. “Weakness makes the pulse strong; to have a strong pulse is fatal.”
Sadhu. At this time, it is the same thing either to apply or not to apply the medicine. The parents have hope to the very end; therefore, see, if there be any means.
Physician. The water with which the Atapa (dried rice) is washed, is now necessary. The application of the Shuchikavaran (a medicine) is required.
Sadhu. That Atapa which the Barah Renee sent for offerings of prayer is in the other room. Raychurn, bring that here.
(Exit Raychurn.)
Reboti. Is Annapurnah[[69]] now awake, that she shall with the rice in her hands come to me my Khetromani? It is through my ill-fate that our mistress is become mad.
Physician. She is already full of sorrow for the death of her husband; again, her son is on the point of death; her insanity is on the increase. I think she shall die before Nobin; she is become very weak.
Sadhu. Sir, how did you find our eldest Babu, to-day? I think, with his pure blood he has extinguished the fire of tyranny of the giants, the Indigo Planters. It is probable, that the Indigo Commission might produce to the ryots some advantages; but what effect has that? If one hundred serpents do bite at once my whole body I can bear that; if on a hearth made of bricks, a frypan placed full of molasses, and the same be boiling by a great fire, I can also bear the torments, if by accident I fall into the pan; if in the dark night of the new-moon a band of robbers with terrible sounds come upon and kill my only son who is honest and very learned, take away all the acquisitions made during the past seven generations, and then make me blind: all these also, I can bear; and in the place of one, even if there be ten Indigo Factories in the village, that also I can allow; but to be separated even for a moment from that elder Babu who is so much the supporter of his dependants, that can I never bear.
Physician. The blow through which the brain has oozed out is fatal. I have found the pulse indicate that death is near; either at mid-day or in the evening, life will depart. Bipin gave a little water of the Ganges in his mouth, but it came out by its sides. Nobin’s wife is quite distracted; but she is trying her utmost for his safety.