nguished Brahmans, feasting his relatives, and distributing
alms to the poor. No money was spared in order to keep his mother's
memory green. The family's position would have been most enviable,
but for a slight unpleasantness which was created by some of the
villagers. Debendra Babu, who had been waiting for an opportunity
of revenge, went from house to house urging his neighbours not to
participate in the sradh, on the score that Nalini had married into
a strange clan and was ipso facto an outcast. Jadu Babu was stung to
the quick on learning these machinations. He consulted Nalini as to
the best method of parrying them, and was consoled by his brother's
assurance that it would be quite easy to win over his opponents except,
perhaps, Debendra Babu himself.

When the time for distributing Samajik (gifts) came round, Jadu Babu
sent one to every caste-fellow in the village, but all returned them
without a word of explanation. Nalini was not so much distressed as he
by the rebuff. He advised an attempt to pacify Debendra Babu; which
failing, he would put his scheme into execution. The two brothers,
therefore, called on their enemy, and falling at his feet, implored
him to say how they had offended him.

"You are much better off than I am," replied Debendra Babu
sarcastically; "it would be presumptuous for me to consort with
such people. You remember the old fable of the earthen pot and brass
vessel?"

"Mahasay," pleaded Jadu Babu, "we are young enough to be your sons. If
we have unwittingly caused you offence, we beg to be forgiven."

"You have learnt how to talk sweetly enough," rejoined Debendra
Babu. "Nalini fancies himself a Lat (lord) or badshah at the very
least. What times we live in! The young have no respect whatever for
their seniors!"

"Nalini is hardly more than a boy," said Jadu Babu with folded
hands. "I am sure he had not the slightest intention of hurting
your feelings."

"What's the use of talking nonsense?" growled Debendra Babu. "Go
away!" and he pointed to the door.

The brothers did not stir; but Jadu Babu asked, "So you won't overlook
our faults, or even tell us what they are?"

"Well, if you will have it," replied Debendra Babu in measured accents,
"Nalini is an outcast; and no respectable Kayastha can take part in
your mother's sradh."

Jadu Babu fairly lost his temper. He exclaimed: "If there is a flaw in
my sister-in-law's pedigree, what is to be said of people who visit
women of ali