PART FIVE

The evening adda is on. Tales of tigers are on this evening as well. Chatterjee sir is holding forth – “That is your misconception. There is no separate animal called a tiger. It is a state of evolution, like a jewel-beetle from a cockroach. You have learnt about Darwin only today – we knew about all this since our infancy. Our Raibahadur has done a very wise thing by getting rid of the goat. It would have been ideal if he had eaten the animal, but to keep it at home and let it grow – no, no.”

Bangshalochan is earnestly browsing through a fresh volume of the Gita – Nayam bhutva bhavita va na bhuyah – that is to say, the soul, having existed, does not cease to be; ajo nityah shashvato – ajo as in goatam. Now that the goat has been disposed of, there was a slight chance that perhaps truce would be established this evening.

Binod said to Bangshalochan, “O Kaunteya, put Lord Krishna down for a moment and listen to what Chatterjee sir is saying. It will give you strength.”

Uday said, “When I went to Shimla the other day -”

Nagen: Quit bluffing Udo – we all know your furthest limit is Liluah.