Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/568

Rh of him, and was about to recede, when our hero caught hold of his arms, and said,—'Now tell me the truth, what would you then do?' The poor boy's eyes were now full of tears, which trickled down his breast; he said,—'In that case, I should buy rice for four pice and give the rest to my mother, for that will defray our expenses for another day.' Vidyasagar again asked him,—'And if I give you four annas?' The boy was still in the hold of our hero; he had no means of escape, unless and until he answered the question. He therefore replied,—'I would reserve two annas to cover our expenses for two days, and the other two annas I would lay out in purchasing mangoes. I shall sell them for four annas, that will again defray our expenses for two days and serve me to have a capital of two annas, which I might lay out in dealing in mangoes, and thus manage to feed my mother and myself for some days.' Vidyasagar was greatly touched by the tale, and gave him a rupee. The boy bounded away highly delighted. About two years after this, Vidyasagar again went to Burdwan. As he was about to enter the shop of a former acquaintance near the Station, a stout and strong boy advanced and saluted him, and then said,—'Would you please, sir, come and take your seat in my shop.' Vidyasagar was taken by surprise, and he asked the youth,—'Who are you; why should I go to your shop?' The boy said with tears in