_Soirindri._ Madam, it is now too late. Now bathe. It is our unfortunate destiny; else, why shall such an occurrence come to pass? _Sabitri._ (_With tears._) No, my daughter, as long as my Nobin does not return, I shall never give rice and water to my body. Who shall give food to my son? _Soirindri._ His brother has a lodging house there, and they have a Brahmin; there will be no disturbance. You had better come and bathe. _Enter_ SARALOTA, _with a cup of oil_. Young Bou, you had better rub the oil on her body, and make her bathe, and bring her to the cook-room. Let me go to prepare the place. (_Exit Soirindri._) (_Saralota rubs the oil on her mother-in-law’s body._) _Sabitri._ My parrot[31] is become silent; my daughter has no more words in her month; she is faded like a stale flower. Ah! ah! for how long have I not seen Bindu Madhab? I am waiting in expectation that the College will be closed, and my son will come home. But this danger is come (_applying her hand on Saralota’s chin_). Ah! the mouth of my dear one is dry, I think you have not yet taken any food. While I have fallen into this danger, when shall I examine, whether any have taken their food or not. Let me bathe you, go and take some food. I am also going. (_Exit both._) ----- Footnote 29: When the rice in cleansed from its husks by being placed in the sun, instead of being boiled, it is called the Atapa rice. Footnote 30: That is, this is his last leave. Footnote 31: The word parrot here refers to Saralota. As the parrot is generally an object of fondness to persons, so Saralota was called a parrot, because she was much loved by her mother-in-law. ----- ---------- FOURTH ACT—FIRST SCENE. THE CRIMINAL COURT OF INDRABAD. ------- _Enter_ MR. WOOD, MR. ROSE, _the Magistrate, and An Officer, sitting_. GOLUK CHUNDER, NOBIN MADHAB, BINDU MADHAB, _the Attorneys of the Plaintiff and the Defendant, the Agent, Nazir, a Bailiff, Servants, Ryots, &c., standing_. _Defendant’s Attorney._ May the prayer in this application be granted. (_Gives the application to the Sheristadar._) _Magistrate._ Very well; read it. (_Speaks with Mr. Wood, and laughs._) _Sheristadar._ (_To the Defendant’s Attorney._) You have written here what equals the length of the Ramayan. Can the petition be read without its being in abstract? (_Turns to another page of the application_). _Magistrate._ (_Having spoken with Mr. Wood, and concealing his laughter_). Read clearly.