Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/156

Rh our expenses. Why should you then work? I shall give you 20 rupees every month. Please, go home and enjoy rest.' His father hesitated a little, but, at the earnest importunity of his son, was fain to accede to his terms. He resigned his situation and went to Birsingha, where Vidyasagar used to remit his promised 20 rupees regularly, month after month. The remaining 30 rupees he spent on his house in Calcutta. He had, at this time, his two younger brothers and five cousins living with him, besides a menial servant, by name Sriram, and by caste, a barber. Of the five cousins, two were sons of his father's brother, two were sons of his father's sister, and the other was a son of his mother's sister. There were thus nine members (including himself) in Calcutta, to maintain with 30 rupees. Besides, several outsiders and visitors had to be fed almost daily. There was no cook in the establishment. All the inmates of his house, not excepting Vidyasagar himself, had, by turns, to do the cooking. Dear reader, do you see wherein Vidyasagar's greatness lay? He was the master of the house, earning 50 rupees a month. He could indulge in luxuries. He could engage a cook. But he did nothing of the kind. As soon as he had the means