Page:Stories of Bengalee life - Prabhat Kumar Mukerji.pdf/107

Rh Liverpool salt. If you go now and tell the Magistrate Sahib that you did not see the assault on the European gentleman, he would naturally think that you are unwilling to depose as a witness because it is a Swadeshi case."

"Is it disloyalty to wear Bombay-made dhotis and eat country salt then?"—the Doctor flared up.—"Besides, what has Swadeshi to do with this assault, pray?"

The Daroga replied with great composure—"Don't excite yourself, Doctor Babu. Don't you see how times are? Granted, it is not disloyalty to eat country salt and wear Bombay cloth. Granted, this assault has nothing whatever to do with the Swadeshi movement. But they think it so. You cannot alter that fact. What's the use of beating your head against the wall?"

This had the desired effect on the poor Doctor. "Yes, I suppose you are right. But the question is how am I to get out of it?"—hashe [sic] said.

Very much pleased at the prospect of bringing his host down from the high horse he was riding, the Daroga said—"You must make the best of the situation, Sir. Just half an hour in the witness box wouldn't harm you much. Shall we walk to the thana now? You will see the accused there confined in the hajat. You ought to have a good