The other day a poor tired woman, dressed in rags, and carrying a child on her back, complained that she had tramped the interior in a futile attempt to beg assistance for her child, and blind husband who was present in court. This old rascal then took up the tale of woe. He had a brother in the town, he said, who was perfectly well able to support him, and he hoped the D.C. would put the matter to the brother without delay.
"What about the woman," I asked. "I hear you have divorced her."
"Yes, I have divorced her, but she is looking after me as I am blind."
"And is this your child?" I asked.
"Yes," replied the old man who was not really blind.
"Well, we shall send for your brother, and meanwhile, as the woman is carrying this child and is tired out, you can have a rupee to buy food."
The couple then left the court.
The following day the woman reappeared to complain she was starving and tired out.
"I've carried this child for hundreds of miles. I am its mother, but I'm so tired I can't carry it any more—never again."
"But you had a rupee yesterday to buy food."