“Perhaps so,” murmured Sham Babu.  “But I do stand in awe of the Samaj” (a caste-assembly which pronounces excommunication for breaches of custom).

“That’s all nonsense!  Look at our friend Kunjalal Babu who has just married his son to a Barendri girl.  Is he an outcast?  Certainly not.  It is true that the ultra-orthodox kicked a bit at first; but they all came round, and joined in the ceremony with zest.  I can quote scores of similar instances to prove that this prejudice against marrying into a different clan is quite out of date.”

Sham Babu had nothing to urge in opposition to these weighty arguments.  He promised to let Kanto Babu have a definite reply on the morrow and kept his word.  Having endured a curtain lecture from his wife, who proved to him that an alliance with the Basu family offered advantages far outweighing the slight risk there was of excommunication, he authorised Kanto Babu to assure Kumodini Babu that the proposed match had his hearty approval.  Once preliminaries were satisfactorily settled, all other arrangements proceeded apace.  The Paka Dekha is a solemn visit paid by males of the future bridegroom’s family to that of his betrothed, during which they are feasted and decide all details regarding the marriage ceremonies.  It passed off without a hitch, and the purohit (family priest) fixed Sravan 17th as an auspicious day for consummating the union.  Thenceforward preparations were made for celebrating it in a manner worthy of the esteem in which both families were held.

Kumodini Babu issued invitations to all his relatives.  Chief amongst these was a younger brother, Ghaneshyam Basu by name, who practised as a pleader (advocate) at Ghoria, where he had built a house after disposing of his interest in the family estate to Kumodini Babu.  This important person was asked to supervise the ceremonies, inasmuch as Kumodini Babu’s increasing age and infirmities rendered him unfit to do so efficiently, while his eldest son, yclept Jadu Babu, had barely reached man’s estate.  The letter of invitation referred incidentally to the difference of clan as a matter of no importance.  Kumodini Babu’s disappointment may be conceived when he got an answer from his younger brother, expressing strong disapproval of the match and ending with a threat to sever all connection with the family if it were persisted in!  The recipient at first thought of running up to Ghoria, in view of softening Ghaneshyam Babu’s heart by a personal appeal, but the anger caused by his want of brotherly feeling prevailed.  Kumodini Babu and his wife agreed that matters had gone too far to admit of the marriage being broken off.  If Ghaneshyam did not choose to take part in it, so much the worse for him!