Page:Malabari, Behramji M. - Gujarat and the Gujaratis (1882).djvu/234

218 the Mehtá (clerk) with dismissal next morning for allowing to the family of eleven members besides servants Rs. 2 for bazaar expense. He denied that his family had any claim upon him. "Did they bring this money?" he asked of remonstrating friends. He kicked his wife and children, and abused them frightfully in the presence of his dancing girls. He married his children with great pomp, spending large sums on dinners and other parties, and then put down double those sums against their names, explaining that each had already received his or her share of the inheritance,and that none should expect anything more. He, however, promised them their two meals a day provided they behaved themselves. The boys, seeing no future, asked to be sent to school, though already fathers themselves. Shett Jamál hereupon levelled a pistol at them, saying they wanted to dishonour him. Why should they go to school like poor people? Had they not every blessing of life—a generous parent, fine handsome wives, and a number of children? Was he not feeding them all? It was no use arguing with the man. The sons then went to the Collector who had made Jamál Gotá a Khán Báhádur, and said, "Sir, we