I
Adhar Babu lives upon the interest of the capital left him by his
father. Only the brokers, negotiating loans, come to his drawing room
and smoke the silver-chased hookah, and the clerks from the attorney's
office discuss the terms of some mortgage or the amount of the stamp
fees. He is so careful with his money that even the most dogged efforts
of the boys from the local football club fail to make any impression on
his pocket.
At the time this story opens a new guest came into his household. After
a long period of despair, his wife, Nanibala, bore him a son.
The child resembled his mother,--large eyes, well-formed nose, and fair
complexion. Ratikanta, Adharlal's protA(C)gA(C), gave verdict,--"He is worthy
of this noble house." They named him Venugopal.
Never before had Adharlal's wife expressed any opinion differing from
her husband's on household expenses. There had been a hot discussion now
and then about the propriety of some necessary item and up to this time
she had merely acknowledged defeat with silent contempt. But now
Adharlal could no longer maintain his supremacy. He had to give way
little by little when things for his son were in question.