Page:Stories of Bengalee life - Prabhat Kumar Mukerji.pdf/90

78 "Good,"—replied Nagendra Babu.

"I am glad to hear it. It is the effect of the drastic measures taken in the biscuits case."

"I am afraid"—said Nagendra Babu—"you misunderstand me, Sir. I said 'good' from the point of view of the people,—not of the Government. Since my decision in the biscuits case the people of the town have become stauncher adherents of Swadeshi than before."

The Magistrate exclaimed in astonishment—"Then why do you say it is good? Are you a Swadeshi too?"

"Since the Swadeshi movement was started, Sir, not a single pice worth of any foreign article has entered my house"—came Nagendra Babu's proud reply.

The Magistrate's face became crimson. He knew perfectly well that many Bengalees who were in Government service, cherished their Swadeshi principles privately—but so far nobody had ever dared parade it before the Sahibs their masters. He also felt that Nagendra Babu was paying him back for the insult that had been meted out to him this morning. But the proud Sahib was not a man to betray his feelings. He feigned amusement and said with a smile—"Yes, I have heard that Bengalee ladies are keener about Swadeshi than the men-folk even." After a pause, his