“Nana, do you sit in that house and listen to such insulting words from those people? Do you answer because others do, or because you want to? Even though I am your daughter-in-law, first and foremost, I am a woman. Does it look good to you when you scold them in front of me, in front of our children? Your fate has been broken by your own actions! Why do you harbor such ill will towards their family? Was it not because they were there that you gave me a home? Let me be known as one with broken fortune. If I have lived my life with dignity and happiness, it is only because of their virtue.

If they ever thought of selling the land, you should not have pained them. What is meant to happen, happens! Broken pearls cannot be strung together again. Why should we cause pain to each other’s hearts? At least, do not do so in front of me. Whatever has happened, those are still your people. Don’t they do everything with the intention that it should be good for all of us? God sees everything. Is it not He who gives wisdom? Instead of coming to our hut and speaking such twisted words, come to give us your blessings. Come to give us your good wishes. Come to give us your love. We want nothing else. Do not scold. Do not give advice—those days are gone. I fall at your feet. Whatever is to happen to us, let it happen. But do not keep speaking ill of them like this.”

Saying this, Shyama’s mother fell at Nana’s feet. Nana lifted her up and said, “Woman, get up. You have always acted according to your conscience. Now, return to your home.”

Don’t light the lamp. What trouble will it cause the old man then?”

“Nana, don’t speak like that. Don’t twist the meaning. Just as I am your wife, I am also a woman of this house. I must look after everyone.”

“I want you to go with me, and he wants you to stay. Fortune has left us. Outsiders have turned their backs on us. Now you too wish to leave? You should come with me out of love. You should meet your own people. Won’t you come?” he pleaded softly, with a hint of desperation.

“No! Now I cannot come! If a woman does not honor her own word, what is the point of her attire?” Saying this, Nana left that very night.

After Nana left, Bapu came to see Shyama’s mother. Shyama’s maternal uncle arrived. He had heard of her difficult situation. He spoke a few comforting words and tried to console her, for that was why he had come. Nana was a learned man. He had a sharp mind for practical matters. He was meticulous in his dealings. A man of policy. But also proud—he always believed he was right. He could not bear to be contradicted. By nature, he was somewhat