Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/687

640 most trivial before forgiveness—particulary in the eyes of a parent. If you give me shelter under your feet, no body will blame you; on the contrary, it will display your greatness. In fine, if you should be pleased once more to display your uncommon magnanimity and employ your own unfortunate son to serve your feet, then you shall see whether I can be up to your mind. Whether good or bad, my unfortunate self am the first of all your relations. What have you not done for every one? I would humbly request you once more to display your extraordinary forgiveness and give this unfortunate person one more trial by giving him a little place at your feet; I dare say, I will never for an instant do anything that will cause you displeasure. I will give up every worldly comfort; I will sustain my life by eating a handful of rice, only to serve your feet. As a dog is satisfied with a handful of rice and follows its master, so this unfortunate person will lie at his master's feet, even lower than a dog.

Shortly after his mother's death, Narayan Chandra addressed to his august father another letter in the same pitiful strain as before. This was also in Bengali. We will give here its purport in English:—

'Accept my best respects and compliments.

'O my godly father, I have already informed