Page:Stories of Bengalee life - Prabhat Kumar Mukerji.pdf/36

24 The dirty water, thoroughly besmearing his shamla, descended to his chapkan in several currents. Then soaking the chapkan through and through, it flowed down his trousers and found entrance into his shoes. In this condition, Subodh Babu hurried home as fast as his legs could carry him.

 

His only decent cutcherry dress spoilt, Subodh did not know how to attend the private interview.

Bath and breakfast over, he called on a friend who was a Deputy Magistrate, told him every thing and asked for the loan of a suit.

The Deputy said—"Certainly Subodh Babu, I will lend you a suit with great pleasure. But what puzzles me is this. You gentlemen who belong to an independent profession, why should you lend yourself to all this tomfoolery? We are servants of the Government and have no choice but to submit. But you—why go out of your way to decorate your house, attend the durbar, go to the private interview and all that?"

Subodh Babu felt discomfited. He found his voice to say—"His Honour himself has asked me to the private interview. Would it be proper for me not to attend?" 