Indeed,
at this time of departure his generosity towards Makhan
was unbounded.
When they reached Calcutta, Phatik made the acquaintance of his aunt for
the first time. She was by no means pleased with this unnecessary
addition to her family. She found her own three boys quite enough to
manage without taking any one else. And to bring a village lad of
fourteen into their midst was terribly upsetting. Bishamber should
really have thought twice before committing such an indiscretion.
In this world of human affairs there is no worse nuisance than a boy at
the age of fourteen. He is neither ornamental, nor useful. It is
impossible to shower affection on him as on a little boy; and he is
always getting in the way. If he talks with a childish lisp he is
called a baby, and if he answers in a grown-up way he is called
impertinent. In fact any talk at all from him is resented. Then he is
at the unattractive, growing age. He grows out of his clothes with
indecent haste; his voice grows hoarse and breaks and quavers; his face
grows suddenly angular and unsightly.
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