home; he had gone to see a patient at a distance. He added that he himself had to leave that very day on account of a lawsuit, and that he had told Matilal, who would regularly call to see the patient.
At night Nilmani wandered in his sleep. As soon as the morning dawned, Sasi, without the least scruple, took a boat with her sick brother, and went straight to the doctor's house. The doctor was at home—he had not left the town. He quickly found lodgings for her, and having installed her under the care of an elderly widow, undertook the treatment of the boy.
The next day Joygopal arrived. Blazing with fury, he ordered his wife to return home with him at once.
"Even if you cut me to pieces, I won't return," replied his wife. "You all want to kill my Nilmani, who has no father, no mother, none other than me, but I will save him."
"Then you remain here, and don't come back to my house," cried Joygopal indignantly.
Sasi at length fired up. "Your house! Why, 'tis my brother's!"
"All right, we'll see," said Joygopal. The neighbours made a great stir over this incident.
