en religions, take food from their hands, and tipple
strong liquor with them?"

This was a home thrust. Debendra Babu was well-known to be carrying
on an intrigue with a Mohammadan woman, named Seraji, but as he
was well-to-do, no one had dared to propose his excommunication. He
started from his feet in an outburst of fury.

"What! you have the audacity to lecture me--a wretched brat like
you? Leave my house at once." So saying he flounced into his inner
apartments; while the brothers went away rather crestfallen.

After returning home Nalini disclosed his famous scheme for
circumventing the boycott, which Jadu Babu heartily approved. To every
Samajik they added an envelope containing a new ten-rupee note and
sent them round to their caste-fellows. The sight of money banished
prejudices; one and all received the gifts, and some were so shameless
as to hint that similar largesse would be acceptable to their uncles
or cousins.

Debendra Babu was deeply annoyed by the success of the strategy. He
swore a mighty oath not to rest until he had destroyed the Basu
family root and branch. After a good deal of thought he matured a
plan which was to be executed through a notorious widow belonging to
the village. This creature, Hiramani by name, had passed middle life
and lived on a little money left by her husband, in a hut close to
Debendra's residence. People used to say that God had created her a
female by oversight, for she had every bad quality which a man could
possess. She was noted for the fact that misfortune invariably fell
on a house which she honoured with her intimacy. People were very
shy indeed of inviting her.

One bright afternoon Hiramani called at the Basus and started a
conversation with the wives of Jadu and Nalini by inquiring about
their household affairs, and offering advice which is generally
acceptable if seldom acted on. While they sat talking Jadu Babu's
eldest boy came to his mother, whimpering:--

"Chota Kaka (my young uncle) has whipped me because an inkpot of his
slipped from my hand, while I was playing with it, and got broken!"

"He served you rightly, naughty boy!" observed his mother administering
a sharp slap which sent the child off bellowing loudly.

Hiramani remarked, "You ought not to beat him for so trivial a fault".

"That's a terrible boy," explained the mother. "He is up to all
manner of tricks, and if he is not checked, he will grow up a regular
Badmash."

"God forbid!" rem