Though Nagendra said nothing at the time, his doubts of Samarendra’s probity became certainties.  From that day onward he was indefatigable in studying the copy of the siah (rent-roll) furnished him, the cash-book, and statement of arrears.  Figures set down in these accounts were checked by private inquiries among the ryots themselves.  Then the truth dawned on Nagendra, that his brother had misappropriated large sums, which should have been paid to him, and concealed his fraud by falsifying the Zemindari papers.  After preparing a list of defalcations, he showed it to his brother and asked for an explanation.  None was forthcoming; nay, Samarendra made his case worse by flying into a passion and ordering him out of the room.  He went straight to Kanto Babu for advice, and was told that the only course open to him was to sue his brother for recovery of the amount wrongfully appropriated.  He resolved to do so forthwith.

On the self-same night his wife, after discussing household affairs with him as usual, asked casually why he had paid her father a visit.  He told her everything that occurred without reserve.  The young lady listened with breathless attention, but heaved a deep sigh on learning that he intended suing his elder brother.  Nagendra paused and asked what was on her mind.

“My lord,” was her reply, “I am only a woman, knowing nothing of the world except things within my sphere.  Any attempt on my part to meddle in business matters may seem extremely presumptuous.  But this is such a grave and risky matter that I cannot help speaking out.  If you file a suit against your brother, he will of course defend himself; for to lose it would ruin him in purse and honour.  It will drag on for months.  If you get a decree, the defendant will appeal to the Sub-Judge, and eventually to the High Court.  To fight your way step by step will cost a fortune; and even should you win all along the line, the lawyers will not leave you enough to keep body and soul together.  How can a small estate like yours bear the costs of both sides?  So in my humble opinion it would be much better to allow your brother to enjoy his ill-gotten gains.  Make up your mind, from this day forward, to look carefully after your interests, and you may rest assured that your brother will never try any such tricks again.”

Nagendra listened with open mouth to this discourse, and when his wife had done speaking, he embraced her fondly again and again, murmuring:—­

“My dearest love, I never knew your real worth till now.  The Goddess of Wisdom has chosen you as her messenger and has convinced me that lawsuits are luxuries which only the rich folk can enjoy—­not people in my position.  I will certainly see your father to-morrow and tell him my resolve to take no steps whatever against Samarendra.”

A Hindu wife is her husband’s truest friend; ever eager to share his sorrows and to proffer sound advice in times of difficulty.  Yet these sweet, unselfish creatures are systematically libelled by men who owe everything to them.  It was soon noised abroad that Nagendra’s wife had saved him from inevitable ruin.  Everyone praised her common-sense—­not excepting Samarendra and his wife, who thenceforward treated her with more consideration.  Nagendra, therefore, began to hope that peace and unity would again rule the family.