Karlaka moijiba ma — he does not wear a proper cloth, does not eat well, does not have any dignity, yet for this small patch of land, he will give his very life.”

Nandi said, “Who is saying otherwise? Whose daughter is she; do you not know her father’s name or lineage? Is she some princess to wear such fine clothes? She took what she had and left for her in-laws’ house, never wore anything new again.”

Sanaboha’s face flushed with emotion. She said, “When my mother got married, how many clothes and utensils she must have taken with her!”

Sharadiboj said, “Yes, who does not know that? These new daughters-in-law are still learning the ways of the household.” Sharadiboh, that Sanaboha, knows nothing of her father’s house now, there is no need to speak of it.

Chapter Five

Hara Mishra is the village chowkidar and president. From a long time back, he has been getting paddy, oil, and other things in exchange for his work. His property is the land inherited from his ancestors; through his own ability, he has not been able to add even a handful more to it. He cannot stand the sight of Baraju Pradhan. Why? Because Baraju always creates obstacles in his work; he has suffered much loss because of him.

The Men of the Soil

We have gathered together. In the village, whenever there is a dispute among the people, the call for the panchayat is sounded before anything else. The elders sit in the shade and settle the matter with impartial words. The Mishra’s land has not yet been lost. During the investigation of the dispute, from one side a rupee is given as a token, from the other side eight annas, and the convenience of writing the report for eight annas has not yet disappeared everywhere. Their eyes have become sharp. The padhan from afar is mostly responsible for this. Whenever the Mishra gets involved in some big case, arranging a couple of hands to help, Baraju Padhan steps in and breaks the matter with his own judgment. What does Mishra care for this? He is a farmer’s son, whose father’s name is not yet forgotten, and his family line is clear.

Mishra is sitting on the khadaka, extracting betel nuts from the roots of the dantamula. Chhakada, holding a bundle of firewood, is returning from the school by the shop. Mishra calls out, “Who is that, Chhakada? Oh, it’s the son of Akhainas.” Mishra knows that Chhakada will soon be able to write Baraju’s letters. As Chhakada comes near, Mishra says, “Come here, climb up on this pinda… What did you do at the wedding house, how much did you eat?”

Chhakada replies, “You yourself went and saw everything, what’s there to ask again?”

“Heh heh — what did we see, what did we do? We are just guests. Who can say who gave what at the feast of jhirapitha?”

“And what do I care about all that?”

“Eh, eh,