A Fine Family: A Novel by Gurcharan Das Page A

was left breathless. She had tears in her eyes. But she was diverted by the sight of a hundred rupee note which was torn in shreds on the floor. Bhabo picked it up and laughed.
    ‘The mouse must have eaten it,’ she said. Tara smiled uneasily for she knew that it was a lot of money.
    ‘Don’t tell anyone,’ she said. ‘Your Bauji will be angry if he finds out.’
    Tara nodded.
    Tara kept her promise, but Bhabo could not contain herself and related the fate of the hundred rupees that same night to everyone’s discomfort. At that time it was indeed a great deal of money to lose to a mouse. Bauji did not say anything, but the atmosphere became tense.
    ‘Imagine, that is more than the cook’s wages for a whole year!’ groaned daughter number two.
    ‘How could you let it happen?’ said daughter number three incredulously.
    Big Uncle came to Bhabo’s rescue and diverted everyone with a hysterical account of Megh Nath’s wife’s brother’s marriage, from where he had just returned. Big Uncle had attended the wedding as the representative of Bauji’s family. At the mention of his contemptible nephew’s name, Bauji suddenly became attentive. It turned out that Megh Nath had selected a temple for the
sehra-bandhi
ceremony rather than his house. ‘Probably to save money,’ interjected Bauji. While the crown of flowers and gold thread was being solemnly tied onto the groom’s forehead, the priest of the temple suddenly let out a shriek when he noticed that the groom was wearing sandals. In the confusion of the ceremony the poor groom had apparently forgotten to take off his sandals. He had thus defiled the temple according to the enraged priest. Any amount of apologies would not quiet him. The indignant brahmin insisted on an outrageous fine of two thousand rupees in order to purify the temple. After prolonged negotiations the matter was finally settled. But Megh Nath’s pocket was lighter by five hundred and one rupees, they were late by two-and-a-half hours, and Bauji’s entire family, including Bhabo, had a big laugh.
    A few days later the family barber set out on his delicate mission after being thoroughly but contrarily briefed by both Bauji and Bhabo. Before entering the boy’s home, the barber went to the bazaar in Pindi, and he met members of his caste to circumspectly enquire about the boy’s family and also to alert the boy’s family to his mission. Later that evening, after he had prepared the ground for his visit, he went to Seva Ram’s fathe’s modest house, where he was received with cold courtesy. The groom’s family were naturally cut up because they had been denied any part in the engagement by their rebellious son. It was politely suggested that the barber should go to the guru. But the barber was clever, and he slowly won over the parents-to-be with tact and praise. They were simple-hearted people, and they generously offered their hospitality to the barber. He ate heartily and slept comfortably in the future groom’s uncle’s room, which was especially prepared for him. The next morning, they served him a rich breakfast of fried puris, curried vegetables, yogurt, halwah and buttermilk and fruits. He reciprocated by delicately singing the praises of the bride-to-be before the future mother-in-law. He showed her the bride’s photograph and invited her to visit Lyallpur to see the bride. The boy’s parents were flattered by the proposal, and gave their unreserved consent. They also thanked the barber and praised him profusely.
    When he returned to Lyallpur, the barber related the result of his mission with much self-importance. Not receiving his due attention from Bauji, he went to talk to Bhabo and tried to change her mind against the match. His arguments related to the economic and social status of the boy’s family. He claimed they were virtually impoverished landowners compared to Bauji.
    ‘Look at you,’ he told Bhabo, ‘here you are in a big house, with horses and servants. Look