Fear is contagious, especially in such places. And Gajala is afraid. He expects more than four hundred rupees from the pit. If the plaster gives way, the upper layer will turn to ashes. Two days, and still no news about the rogue.
Someone says the whole thing was a hoax.
Gajala was sure that the rogue, if there was one, had changed its course. Its movements would have been known otherwise. I must go to the charcoal pit, he decided. If the fire has caught properly, the charcoal will be done by now. Two more days for it to cool, and it will be ready to bring home to sell.