He said, “What debts do we have left to pay the ferryman? We’re just sitting here, growing fat. Come, let’s stoop down and read the preface to Alami’s book. My tongue is as sharp as ever—if I drown, I’ll just shout the Pir’s name and swim for it.”

29. Seizing the House at Baidyabati—Bancharam’s Misconduct—The Family’s Distress and Eviction from the House—Borda Babu’s Kindness.

Bancharam Babu’s hunger could never be satisfied—he was forever scheming to snatch a little more, always plotting how best to twist things to his own advantage. Such constant scheming sharpened his cunning mind to a fine edge. Turning over all the events concerning Baburam in his head, he suddenly hit upon a splendid idea. Reclining against a bolster, he pondered for a long while, then slapped his thigh and exclaimed to himself, “Here’s a divine way to make some easy money! Baburam’s property in China Bazaar and the Bhadrasan house are mortgaged, and the term is up. If I get Heramba Babu to file a suit in court, I’ll be able to fill my belly for a few days at least.” Saying this, he flung his shawl over his shoulder, declared he was off to view the Ganges, and with his shoes slapping noisily, set out with the air of a man on a sacred mission—or perhaps a man ready to drop dead, so grave was his resolve—straight to Heramba Babu’s house.

No sooner had he entered the gate than he asked the servant, “Where’s the master?” At the sound of Bancharam’s voice, Heramba Babu came down at once. Heramba Babu was a simple, straightforward man—he answered everything with a “yes.” Bancharam took his hand with great affection and said, “Chowdhury Mahashay! Please, on my word, lend Baburam some money. His household and property are in ruins—his honor and reputation have gone with them. The elder son’s a monkey, the younger’s a lunatic—both have vanished without a trace. Now there are debts piling up, and other creditors are preparing to file suits. Who knows what troubles may follow? So I can’t keep silent any longer. Please, hand over the mortgage papers. We must file the suit at our office tomorrow itself. You only need to sign a vakalatnama.”

It’s natural to fear losing one’s money in such circumstances—everyone feels it. Heramba Babu was no villain, no trickster, so Bancharam’s words struck him right to the heart. At once...

"Yes," he replied, handing over the papers to him. Just as Hanuman, overjoyed after receiving the death-missive for Ravana, had sped back from Lanka with great haste, so too did Bancharam, tucking those papers under his arm like a sacred amulet, hurry home with the same eagerness and delight.

It had been almost a year now—the grand front gate of the Baidyabati house remained shut, the roof, walls, and fences stained with moss, and all around the place had grown thick with wild thorns and brambles. Inside the house, only Motilal’s stepmother and his wife, these two helpless