He himself could not keep a secret in his own heart; how then could Dhaniya keep it in hers? Now this witch would not relent. Once she set her mind to something, she would listen to no one. Today, he had made the greatest mistake of his life.

All around, a deep and silent darkness prevailed. Now and then, the bells around the necks of the two bullocks would ring out. Ten paces away lay the dead cow, and Hori tossed and turned in bitter remorse. Nowhere in the darkness could he see even a single ray of light.

:9:

At dawn, a great commotion broke out in Hori’s house. Hori was beating Dhaniya. Dhaniya was hurling abuses at him. Both daughters clung to their father’s feet, screaming, while Gobar tried to protect his mother. Again and again, he would grab Hori’s hand and push him back, but whenever a curse escaped Dhaniya’s lips, Hori would wrench his hand free and land a few more blows and kicks. It was as if his old anger had summoned some hidden, stored-up strength. The whole village was astir. People came running, pretending to mediate but eager to witness the spectacle. Shobha arrived, leaning on his staff. Datadeen shouted, “What’s this, Hori? Have you gone mad? Who raises a hand against the Lakshmi of his house like this? You never had this disease before. Has Heera’s infection caught you too?”

Hori, folding his hands, said, “Maharaj, do not speak now. I will not rest until I break her stubbornness today. The more I try to reason with her, the more defiant she becomes.”

Dhaniya, her eyes brimming with angry tears, cried out, “Maharaj, bear witness! I will not drink water today until I have sent him and his murderous brother to jail. His brother fed poison to the cow and killed her. Now, when I am going to the police to file a report, this murderer beats me. I have ruined my life for him, and this is my reward.”

Hori, grinding his teeth and glaring, said, “You’re saying it again? Did you see Heera feed poison to the cow?”

“Swear that you did not see Heera standing by the cow’s trough.”

“Yes, I did not see him, I swear.”

“Swear on your son’s head.”

Hori, his hand trembling, placed it on Gobar’s head and said in a shaking voice, “I swear on my son that I did not see Heera by the trough.”

Dhaniya spat on the ground and said, “Shame on your lies. You yourself told me Heera was standing there like a thief, and now you lie to protect your brother. Shame! If even a hair on my son’s head is harmed, I’ll set fire to the house. I’ll burn everything we own. O God, how shamelessly a man can deny his own words!”

Hori stamped his foot and said, “Dhaniya, don’t make me angrier, or it will be worse for you.”

“You’re already beating me, beat me more! Go