The boy was able to read and
write well. He was bright and healthy and good-looking. He paid a
great deal of attention to his personal appearance, and was specially
careful in parting his hair. He was inclined to extravagance and
finery, and spent money freely. He could never quite look on Raicharan
as a father, because, though fatherly in affection, he had the manner of
a servant. A further fault was this, that Raicharan kept secret from
every one that himself was the father of the child.
The students of the hostel, where Phailna was a boarder, were greatly
amused by Raicharan's country manners, and I have to confess that behind
his father's back Phailna joined in their fun. But, in the bottom of
their hearts, all the students loved the innocent and tender-hearted
old man, and Phailna was very fond of him also. But, as I have said
before, he loved him with a kind of condescension.
Raicharan grew older and older, and his employer was continually finding
fault with him for his incompetent work. He had been starving himself
for the boy's sake.
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