"His cap was seen and recovered from the place where it hung about a foot above the surface of the water." "And on the strength of that you have performed the widow rites. It appears to me that you have acted with unwarrantable harshness towards my son and his wife. There would have been time for the ceremonies when my son's body was found." "He is dead! I assure you he is dead!" protested Sooba. "It is the firm conviction of other members of the family whom I have consulted that he is dead." "And if it be true, is it for the wife of the younger brother to strike the bangles off the arm of the heir's widow? But I tell you she is no widow! My boy is alive; he had too much spirit to stay where he was ill-treated; and too much courage to drown himself. You were wrong to beat him as you did." "It was with your consent." "That a small punishment should be given to satisfy the swami lest he should curse us. You have done more; you have gone beyond your orders. Where are the jewels?" "I have them in safe keeping, sister," he replied, beginning to tremble for the consequences. She had it in her power to turn him and his wife out of the house. "After we have eaten you shall hand them over to me together with the moneys that have been paid in by the silk and cotton merchants." She dismissed him as the household was waiting for dinner. The men--who were served first--could not begin to eat until the representative of the family had offered the daily oblation to the deity and said grace. When the meal was over Gunga summoned Sooba giving him no time for the after-dinner nap claimed by the more important members of the family. "Let him bring the jewels," she said to his wife. "Come yourself and listen to what I have to say. It concerns you both." Sooba had an unhappy half-hour with his sister-in-law. He found himself called upon to account not only for the jewels and every rupee paid in but also for every anna paid out, the amount of rice taken from the granaries, the curry stuffs that had been used, the produce of the dairy and garden. The wardrobes and clothes' chests were emptied, the contents displayed and missing sarees accounted for. The contents of the strong box containing the family jewels was examined, even to the numbering of the loose gems and pearls that formed part of the wealth belonging to Pantulu. It was hard to be made to disgorge when he had looked upon the coveted treasure as his already; but Sooba and his wife had no alternative. Dorama's jewels were handed over down to the smallest silver toe-ring. Gunga examined them critically, separating several of the choicest and most valuable from the rest. They were not put back in the strong box, but were placed in another and more portable jewel case. This she locked, and slipped the key on her own bunch which was tied to her betel-bag. "Are you taking the jewels away with you?" asked Sooba. "They are required at the silk farm," she replied shortly.