# Stories of Bengalee Life/His Release/Chapter 7

VII
The next morning, before Nagendra Babu returned home, the chuprassi brought in the dak. Charusila saw that besides a few letters, there was an unusually large number of newspapers. She opened one packet and found that it was the Bengali daily called "Sandhya." In it was an article headed—"Vagaries of a Ghotiram at ​Faridsing." The "Sandhya," with the characteristic vulgarity of style all its own, had commented on the students' case and heaped abuses on Nagendra Babu. The article was heavily marked all round with a red pencil. Charusila had not the patience to read the whole of it—it was so very offensive. She then tore open another packet and found that it was the same issue of the "Sandhya," with the article marked in blue pencil. She then examined the different packets and saw they were all copies of the same number, seventeen altogether, kindly posted by seventeen different strangers from Calcutta, for Nagendra Babu's benefit. Charusila collected all the copies together, took them to the kitchen and threw them into the fire-place, lest they should meet her husband's eyes.
Nagendra Babu returned home about ten o'clock and finishing his bath and breakfast quickly, drove off to Court.
Charusila, finding her little boy still loitering about the house, enquired of him why he hadn't gone to school. The poor boy replied—"Mother,—I have already been insulted by other schoolboys in the streets. I don't wish to take the risk of being insulted further."
Charusila understood. "Very well," she said—"don't go to school to-day. I want you to accompany me to a certain place."
​At noon, Charusila sent for a gharry, and accompanied by her child, drove to the house of Babu Kali Kant, the pleader.
Entering the zenana she found assembled there several other ladies, wives of pleaders residing in the neighbourhood. Some of these ladies were playing cards—and some were watching. They looked at Charusila but uttered not a word of welcome. Kalikant Babu's wife welcomed her, but not so warmly as she had done on previous occasions.
Charusila began talking of ordinary matters in which the hostess only joined. The other ladies kept a studied silence. At last she mentioned the students' case herself.
One of the visiting ladies remarked—"It has been a very sad affair.—We did not expect it."
Kalikant Babu's wife added—"My husband was telling me that very likely the conviction would be set aside on appeal."
Another lady observed—"Unless of course the Sahibs refuse to do justice because it is a Swadeshi case."
"What's the date fixed for the hearing of the appeal, please?"—asked Charusila.
"I am not certain—but it will be heard shortly"—replied Kali Kant Babu's wife.
​"The boys ought to have an able Counsel down from Calcutta"—put in Charusila.
Kali Kant Babu's wife mused a little and then said—"Yes, but that means a lot of money, you know. I don't think the boys can afford it. Our husbands will do it for them as well as they can."
Charusila, with her head bent low, said—"I am willing to pay for a Counsel."
This proposal came as a surprise to those present. One of the ladies said—"You? why should you?"
Charusila continued—"You and your husbands are doing so much for the poor boys at the sacrifice of time and money. Am I not entitled to lend them a helping hand also? Here, I have brought with me a pair of golden bracelets. Over a thousand rupees would be realised by selling them. Let that amount be spent in engaging the services of some eminent Counsel. Oh, don't refuse my offer—for Heaven's sake, let me do something for my peace of mind."—The ladies noticed that Charusila's eyes were sparkling with tears as she finished.
Kali Kant Babu's wife took the bracelets, saying—"Very well, when my husband comes home from the Court, I will tell him."
This incident thawed the other ladies immediately. They began talking to Charusila in a ​kindly manner and vied with each other in making up for their past rudeness.