Page:Stories of Bengalee life - Prabhat Kumar Mukerji.pdf/23

Rh Subodh said—"Look here Jagat, can you lend me fifty rupees?"

Jagat, feigning annoyance, said—"I say, Subodh, this is very aggravating. Just fancy your introducing such a prosaic subject in the midst of such an ideal occupation. Go to—I won't help you to write the poem."

No smiles played on the lips of Subodh. His eyebrows were puckered. He said—"No Jagat, it is no longer a joke with me. Lend me fifty rupees, like a good chap. I have an idea."

"Really? what may it be?”

"It is an excellent opportunity and I thank you for suggesting the idea to me, though you did not mean it seriously. I want to bamboozle the Government and get something decent out of it. I am determined to try."

Jagat was not prepared for this. "What do you mean to do?"—he asked.

"I will accord a welcome to Mr. Fuller."

"What nonsense! Who are you, pray? Not a Rajah, not a Zemindar, not even a Rai Bahadur. Do you think that you would have an opportunity? Do you expect the Collector to ask you to be present on the railway platform when His Honour arrives? You surely don't imagine that you are going to be invited to the durbar or get a card for private interview?"