“If, after selling the house and the fields, the debt to the moneylender still remains, then sell your wife to pay it off,” said Vamanrao shamelessly.

Shyam’s mother was eating inside the house. How could such words have failed to shock her ears? She rose from her meal just as she was, her eyes brimming with tears. She washed her hands. Vamanrao and Bhau were sitting together. She came to the threshold of the veranda where they sat, and, standing there with a fierce resolve, she said to them, “If you must leave this house, then leave. But how did you not feel ashamed to talk of selling a woman to pay a debt? Do your tongues have no bones, that you can utter such things? Do you not have wives of your own? Go, and tell the village headman and the moneylender whatever you wish. Take the house and the fields if you must. But I will not tolerate such words again. Announce it in the village square, seize everything, do what you will. But never utter such vile things in front of the children.”

“Very well. If that is what you wish, so be it. If, by the end of this month, the moneylender’s debt is not cleared from your household, then—” Vamanrao stopped. “Bhaurao, your wife—”

“Should I endure such insult?” Vamanrao asked.

“You go inside at once!” my brother said angrily. She went inside and began to weep. My brother then tried to console Vamanrao, speaking to him gently, as one would to a child. He gave him the twenty-five rupees, and Vamanrao left.

All this happened because of the burden of debt. In the beginning, banks like Aai’s had disappeared. When people were in need, they would go to the moneylender, and if they could not repay on time, they would be hounded and harassed. Forget about repaying the principal, even the interest could not be paid. Later, the moneylender would send his men to the house. They would press for payment, threaten, and if the money was not given, they would not hesitate to insult openly. Sometimes, it was even decided to seize the house and property.

In this way, my brother had taken a loan from a moneylender. He was unable to repay it. Not only the principal, but even the interest could not be paid. The situation had become dire. Such was their plight. Once a person falls into the trap of debt, it is very difficult to escape. A person may endure hunger, but should never take a loan. To be in debt is to live in hell. Taking a loan may seem easy at first, but afterwards, it brings only sorrow. One feels like a beggar. Self-respect and honor are lost. One is forced to bow before everyone.

When a person goes to the moneylender, he must behave as if he is a guest. My brother would treat him with respect, offer him a seat, and invite him to eat.