Page:Stories of Bengalee life - Prabhat Kumar Mukerji.pdf/34

22 The Collector presented to His Honour one by one all the important personages there. Subodh deliberately pushed his way through the crowd and mustered courage to take his stand quite close to the Collector. The latter smiled at Subodh indulgently and presented him. Mr. Fuller shook hands with him cordially and said—

"Are you the gentleman who saluted me on my way from the railway station this morning?"

"Yes, Your Honour."

"Your house was beautifully decorated. I admire your taste. Are you a pleader"

"Yes, Your Honour."

"The pleaders are generally very disloyal. I am highly annoyed with them. You, I find, have refused to dance to the piping of Surendra Nath Banerjee."

"I don't forget my duty, Your Honour, at the instance of other men."

"Very good. Come this afternoon to the Circuit House for private interview."—and Subodh was dismissed. Other people were introduced.

By and by the durbar broke up. Subodh was leaving when the Collector came up to him hurriedly and handing him a blank card for private interview said—"You are a lucky man. His Honor has especially asked for you. Come in time."