Page:Stories of Bengalee life - Prabhat Kumar Mukerji.pdf/88

76 A little while later, the bearer rushed out of the room where the Magistrate was having his chota hazri and addressing the Deputy said—"The Sahib is annoyed at the noise made with your boots, Sir. Kindly sit on the bench."

At this second insult, Nagendra Babu's blood boiled—but he restrained himself. He went and seated himself on the bench. The smaller fry squeezed themselves together to leave a respectable space between themselves and the Deputy Magistrate.

A little later the Sahib finished his chota hazri and entered the office room. The first man he sent for—was not Nagendra Babu. One by one the smaller fry were ushered into the august presence of the Lord of the District and dismissed after a few minutes' conversation. Several men came subsequent to Nagendra Babu's arrival. Gradually, they too began to be sent for. Nagendra Babu had no doubt that the Magistrate's intention was to disgrace him publicly. During the interval of waiting his feelings may be better imagined than described. He was perspiring all over and his handkerchief became quite useless after a time. Sitting on the bench there, he resolved to send in his resignation—not after one month—but that very day.