“Umid means hope—a man of hope. They come and ask to work in the office as a favour, and don’t get any pay, expecting to be taken on in case of a vacancy. These scoundrels have been in Watson and Selwyn’s for the last year. I venture to state they’ve never been inside a jute mill in their lives.”
THE OTHER HAD BEEN TAKEN WITH A SUDDEN INDISPOSITION AND HAD GONE AWAY.
“Tumera kam, k’on hai?”[[87]] asked young Browne mockingly of one baboo.
[87]. Your work, what is it?
The baboo cast down his eyes nervously and said, “Wasson Sewwin company kapas, sahib,”[[88]] and the other to the same question made the same answer. They were crushed and sorrowing baboos suffering under a cruel blow of fate. Why should it have been granted to only one of them to conclude to be indisposed at the right moment?
[88]. With Watson Selwyn Company.
I am afraid the savage Anglo-Indian instinct arose in young Browne and caused him to tease those baboos a little that morning. It was very wrong of him doubtless, and then it led to the destruction of a number of Mr. Batcham’s most interesting notes, which is another regrettable fact. But the only person who really suffered was Ambica Nath Mitter. Mr. Batcham, of course, thought it his duty to inform Mr. Debendra Lal Banerjee of the whole unfortunate affair, and Mr. Debendra Lal Banerjee, in a white heat of indignation, which lasted several days, dismissed Ambica.
“How could I repose further trust in a man like that!” said Mr. Banerjee to Mr. Batcham. Besides, privately, Mr. Banerjee thought Ambica grasping. Mr. Banerjee had entirely intended that out of the five rupees Ambica received from him, the “factory-wallahs” should be paid in full.