Page:Stories of Bengalee life - Prabhat Kumar Mukerji.pdf/207

Rh Annada, poor wretch, had enjoyed a little respite,—but after this the persecutions began afresh with twofold zeal. At length Annada, with face and eyes inflamed, said angrily—"If you all continue to plague me in this way, I will take myself off from home."

The eldest son's wife retorted—"I have seen much in the course of my life, brother-in-law, and if I live I shall see more. You are making a tremendous fuss now—but we shall see how it will end."

24th Sawan. There were but five days left to the wedding. Sitanath took money and went to Calcutta. He had said as he went that he would buy there the necessary things and proceed thence to the wedding.

When the old man was gone, a fresh commotion arose in the house. Small and great all turned sword in hand upon Annada. The mother had been dead about ten years. The sons, the daughters and the grand children made a large family. Sitanath did not marry again, nor had people advised that he should do so. So for these ten years the eldest son's wife had been mistress of the house—and now, suddenly, for a raw girl to be brought in to snatch the sceptre of government from her hand! The thought was torture. She came weeping to Annada and said—"Anu brother, there is still