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Slightly, sir.

Swami went to his seat with a bleeding heart. He had never met a man so good as Samuel. The teacher was inspecting the home lessons, which usually produced (at least, according to Swamis impression) 130 FATHERS HELP scenes of great violence. Notebooks would be flung at faces, boys would be abused, caned, and made to stand up on benches. But today Samuel appeared to have developed more tolerance and gentleness. He pushed away the bad books, just touched people with the cane, never made anyone stand up for more than a few minutes. Swamis turn came. He almost thanked G.o.d for the chance.

Swaminathan, where is your homework ?

I have not done any homework, sir, he said blandly.

There was a pause.

Why headache ?

asked Samuel.

Yes, sir.

All right, sit down. Swami sat down, wondering what had come over Samuel. The period came to an end, and Swami felt desolate. The last period for the day was again taken by Samuel. He came this time to teach them Indian history. The period began at 3.45 and ended at 4.30. Swaminathan had sat through the previous periods thinking acutely. He could not devise any means of provoking Samuel.

When the clock struck four Swami felt desperate.

Half an hour more. Samuel was reading the red text, the portion describing Vasco da Gamas arrival in India. The boys listened in half languor. Swami suddenly asked at the top of his voice : Why did not Columbus come to India, sir ?

He lost his way.

I cant believe it ; it is unbelievable, sir.

Why? Such a great man. Would he have not known the way ?

Dont shout. I can hear you quite well.

FATHERS HELP 131

I am not shouting, sir ; this is my ordinary voice, which G.o.d has given me. How can I help it ?

Shut up and sit down.

Swaminathan sat down, feeling slightly happy at his success. The teacher threw a puzzled, suspicious glance at him and resumed his lessons.

His next chance occurred when Sankar of the first bench got up and asked :

Sir, was Vasco da Gama the very first person to come to India ?

Before the teacher could answer, Swami shouted from the back bench :

Thats what they say.

The teacher and all the boys looked at Swami.

The teacher was puzzled by Swamis obtrusive behaviour today.

Swaminathan, you are shouting again.

I am not shouting, sir. How can I help my voice, given by G.o.d ?

The school clock struck a quarter-hour. A quarter more. Swami felt he must do something drastic in fifteen minutes. Samuel had no doubt scowled at him and snubbed him, but it was hardly adequate. Swami felt that with a little more effort Samuel could be made to deserve dismissal and imprisonment.

The teacher came to the end of a section in the textbook and stopped. He proposed to spend the remaining few minutes putting questions to the boys.

He ordered the whole cla.s.s to put away books, and asked someone in the second row : What is the date of Vasco da Gamas arrival in India ?

Swaminathan shot up and screeched : Sixtcenforty"

eight, December twentieth.

You neednt shout, said the teacher. He asked : Has your headache made you mad ?

I have no headache now, sir, replied the thunderer i3 FATHERS HELP brightly.

Sit down, you idiot. Swami thrilled at being called an idiot.

If you get up again I will cane you/ said the teacher. Swami sat down, feeling happy at the promise. The teacher then asked : I.

am going to put a few questions on the Mughal period.

Among the Mughal emperors, whom would you call the greatest, whom the strongest, and whom the most religious emperor ?

Swami got up. As soon as he was seen, the teacher said emphatically :

Sit down.

I want to answer, sir.

Sit down.

No, sir ; I want to answer.

What did I say Id do if you got up again ?

You said you would cane me and peel the skin off my knuckles and make me press it on my forehead.

All right ; come here.

Swaminathan left his seat joyfully and hopped on the platform. The teacher took out his cane from the drawer and shouted angrily :

Open your hand, you little devil. He whacked three wholesome cuts on each palm. Swami received them without blenching. After half a dozen the teacher asked : Will these do, or do you want some more ?

Swami merely held out his hand again, and received two more ; and the bell rang. Swami jumped down from the platform with a light heart, though his hands were smarting. He picked up his books, took out the letter lying in his pocket, and ran to the headmasters room. He found the room locked. He asked the peon : Where is the headmaster ?

Why do you want him ?

My father has sent a letter for him.

FATHERS HELP 133 He has taken the afternoon off, and wont come for a week. You can give the letter to the a.s.sistant headmaster. He will be here now.

Who is he ?

Your teacher, Samuel. He will be here in a second.

Swaminathan fled from the place. As soon as Swami went home with the letter, father remarked : I knew you wouldnt deliver it, you coward.

I swear our headmaster is on leave, Swaminathan began.

Father replied : Dont lie in addition to being a coward .

Swami held up the envelope and said : I will give this to the headmaster as soon as he is back .

Father s.n.a.t.c.hed it from his hand, tore it up, and thrust it into the wastepaper basket under his table. He muttered : Dont come to me for help even if Samuel throttles you. You deserve your Samuel .

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