_Ray._ (_Holding his plough._) The stupid Amin is a tiger. The violence with which he came upon me! Oh my God! I thought that he was coming to devour me. That villain did not hear a single word and with force he marked off the ground. If they take five bigahs of land, what will my family eat. First, we will shed tears before them; if they don’t let us alone, as a matter of course, we shall leave the country. KHETROMANI _enters_. Is my brother come home? _Khetra._ Father is gone to the house of the Babu’s and is coming very soon. Will you not go to call my aunt? What were you talking about? _Ray._ I am talking of nothing. Now, bring me a little water, my stomach is on the point of bursting from thirst. I told my brother-in-law[3] so much, but he did not hear me. SADHU _enters, and_ KHETROMANI _goes away_. _Sadhu._ Ray, why did you come so early? _Ray._ O my brother, the vile Amin has marked off the piece of ground in Sanpoltola. What shall we eat; and how shall I pass the year? Ah, our land was bright as the golden champah.[4] By the produce of only one corner of the field, we satisfied the mahajans. What shall we eat now, and what shall our children take? This large family may die without food. Every morning two _recas_ (nearly 5 lbs) of rice are necessary. What shall we eat then? Oh, my Ill-fortune! Ill-fortune (burnt forehead)! what has the Indigo of this white man done? _Sadhu._ We were living in the hope of cultivating those bigahs of land; and now, if these are gone, than what use is there of remaining here any more. And the one or two bigahs which are become saltish, they yield no produce. Again, the ploughs are to remain in the Indigo-field; and what can we do. Don’t weep now; to-morrow we shall sell off the ploughs and cows, leave this village, and go and live in the Zemindary of Babu Basanta. KHETROMANI _and_ REBOTI _enter with water_. Now, drink the water, drink the water; what do you fear? He who has given life, will provide also food. Now, what did you say to the Amin? _Ray._ What can I say? He began to mark off the ground, on which it seemed as if he began to _thrust burnt sticks_ _into my breast_, I entreated, holding him by his feet, and wanted to give him money; but he heard nothing. He said, go to your eldest Babu; go to your father. When I returned, I only punished him with saying, “I shall bring this before the Court.” (_Seeing the Amin at a distance._) Just see, that villain (_Shálá_) is coming; he has brought servants with him, and will take us to the Factory. _The_ AMIN _and the two Servants enter_. _Amin._ Bind the hands of this villain.