Page:The Spoilt Child.djvu/153

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THE SPOILT CHILD.
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his hand and cried: "Ah, Barada Babu, why is it that everybody does you reverence, except on account of the many good qualities you possess? Why, it was Thakchacha here who advised Baburam Babu to have that charge of illegal confinement and assault brought against you, and all kinds of violence and knavery have been practised on you without rhyme or reason, at their instigation; and yet, when Thakchacha fell sick, you cured him, treating him and even nursing him yourself, and now too, when Baburam is ill, you spare no effort to give good advice, and to look after his welfare. Now generally speaking, if one man but speaks harshly against another, enmity at once springs up between them, and though a thousand apologies may be made, the feeling does not pass away; but though you have been grievously insulted and injured, you have no difficulty in forgetting the insult and injuries you have suffered. No feeling towards another but brotherly kindness arises in your mind. Ah, Barada Babu, many may talk of virtue, but never have I found any possessing such as you possess. Men are naturally base and corrupt; how then can they judge of your qualities? But as day and night are true, your qualities will be judged above."

Somewhat vexed by these remarks of Becharam Babu, Barada Babu bowed his head and said humbly: "Sir, pray do not address me like this. I am but a very insignificant person: what is my knowledge or what my virtue after all?"

"We had better postpone this conversation" Beni Babu said, "tell me now what to devise for the master's illness."

Barada Babu replied: "If you gentlemen think the idea a good one, I can go to Calcutta and bring a doctor back with me by the evening: no further confidence, I think, should be placed in Brojonath Raya."

Premnarayan Mozoomdar, who was standing near, remarked: "Doctors do not properly understand the pulse,