Mistress Baroda often invited her Brahmo lady friends to the house, and sometimes they would all congregate on the terrace in front of Harimohini’s room. On such occasions Harimohini, iu the simplicity of her nature, would try to help in making them welcome, but they on their side hardly ■disguised their contempt. They would even look pointedly at her, while Baroda was making pungent comments on ortho¬ dox manners and customs, in which some of them would join.
Sucharita, who was always with her aunt, had to put up with these attacks in silence. All she could do was to show .by her actions that they touched her too, because she followed her aunt's ways. When refreshments were served, Sucharita ■would decline to have anything, saying: “ I don’t take these things, thanks.”
At which Mistress Baroda would burst out with: “ What 1 iD’you mean to say you cannot eat with us? ” And when Sucharita repeated that she would rather not, Baroda would wax sarcastic, saying to her friends: “ D'you know, our young lady is getting to be mighty high caste. Our touch is contamination for her 1 ” " What! Sucharita turned orthodox! iVondcrs will never ■cease! ” the visitors would remark.
Harimohini would get worried and say: “ No, Radharani, this will never do, dear; do go and ’uAve something with them! ” That her niece should have to ondurc these sarcasms for her sake was too much for her aunt, but Sucharita remained firm.
One day one of the Brahmo visitors, just out of curiosity, was about to step into Harimoumi’s room with her shoes on, when Sucharita blocked tie way, saying: "Not into this croom, plenon | " M My aunt’s family god is kept there.”
“ Ah, an idol! And so she worships idols? ” “ Yes, mother, of course I do,” replied Harimohini.
“ How can you have faith in idols? ” “ Faith! Where is a miserable creature like me to get (faith? Had I but faith, it would have saved me.”
Lolita happened to be there on this occasion, and her face was scarlet as she turned on the questioner and asked her: ‘ Have you then faith in Him you worship? ” GORA CUAF.
“ What nonsense! How could it be otherwise? ” was the- answer.
Lolita shook her head scornfully as she said: 'ion not. only have no faith, but what is more, you don’t even know that you haven’t.”
Thus was Sucharita’s alienation from her people complete,, in spite of all that Harimohini could do to keep her from doing: things which Baroda would specially resent.
Baroda and Haran had in the past never been able to pull* on well together, but now they came to a mutual understanding against the rest. Whereupon Mistress Baroda was pleased to* remark that no matter what people might sav, if there was one- man who was trying to keep pure tho ideals of the Brahmo* Samaj it was Panu Babu. While Haran made out to all and sundry that Mistress Baroda was a shining example of a Brahmo* housewife who, with devoted conscientiousness, was trying in. every way to preserve the fair name of Brahmo Society fronn all 8 tain. ' In this praise of his there was, of course, a veiled, insinuation against Paresh Babu.
One day Haran said to Sucharita in the presence of Pareshi Babu: “ I have heard that nowadays you take only sanctified, food offered to idols. Is that true? ” Sucharita’s face flushed, but she tried to look as though, she had not heard the remark, and began to shift about the- pens and inkstand on the table, while Paresh Babu, with a. sympathetic glance towards her, said to Haran: “ Panu. Babu, whatever we eat is food sanctified by God’s grace.”
“ But Sucharita is ready to give up our God, it seems,” said Ilaran. _.
“ Even if that were possible, is it any remedy to worry her about it? ” asked Paresh Babu.
“ When we see a person being carried off by the current,, are we not to try and draw him back to the bank? ” replied Haran.
“ Pelting him with clods is not the same as drawing him to- the bank,” said Paresh Babu. “ But, Panu Babu, you need not be alarmed. I have known Sucharita over since she was. a tiny little thing, and if she had fallen into the water I should have known it before any of you, and would not have remained indifferent about it cither.”
“ Sucharita is here to answer for herself,” said Haram * I am told she has taken to refusing to eat with everybody. Ask her whether that is true.”
Sucharita. relaxing the unnecessarily close attention which XL GORA she had been giving to the inkstand, said: “ It is known to father that I have given up eating food touched by all kinds of people, and if he can tolerate it, that is enough for me. If it be displeasing to any of you, you are at liberty to call me what names you like, but why trouble father about it? Do you not know what immense forbearance he has for each one of us? Is this the way you requite him? ” Haran was taken aback at this plain speaking. “ Even Sucharita has learnt to speak up for herself! ” tiiought ho,, wondcringly.
Paresh Babu was a man who loved peace, and he did not- like much discussion either about himself or about others. He had lived his life quietly, not seeking any position of importance in the Brahmo Samaj. Ilaran had put this down to Paresh Babu’s lack of enthusiasm for the cause and had even, taxed him with it, but in explanation Paresh Babu had only said: “ God has created two classes of bodies, mobile and inert. I belong to the latter. God will make use of men like' myself for accomplishing such work as we are fit for. Nothing is to be gained by becoming restless to achieve something which one is not capable of. I am getting old, and what I have the power to do, and what not, has been settled long ago. You can do no good by trying to hustle me on.”
Haran plumed himself on being able to infuse enthusiasm, even in an unresponsive heart. His belief was that lie had an irresistible power of stimulating the inert into activity, of melting into repentance the fallen,— that no one for long could stand in the way of his forceful single-mindedness. He had come to the conclusion that all the changes for the better which had taken place in the individual members of the Samaj were mainly to be ascribed to him.
He had not a doubt that it was his influence which was at work all the time behind the scenes, and when any one specially praised Sucharita in his presence, he beamed with a sense of self-satisfaction. He felt that he was shaping Sucharita’s; character by his advice, example, and companionship, and had begun to hope that her life itself would be one of the most glorious achievements standing to his credit. His pride suffered no check, even now, bv this deplorable backsliding of Sucharita’s, for he put all the blame for it on Paresh Babu’s- shoulders..
Haran had never been able to join whole-heartedly in the* chorus of praise of Paresh Babu which was on every one’s lips,, and he now thought he had reason to congratulate himsclt ;19S GOKA cuap.
that they would soon find how well justified his more intelligent silence had been.
Haran could forgive almost anything, except the following ■of an independent path, according to their own judgement, by 'those whom he had tried to guide aright. It was wellnigh impossible for him to let his victims escape without making ..a struggle, and the more clear it became that his advice was having no effect, the moro insistent did he become. Like a wound-up machine not yet run down, he could not check himself, and would go on dinning the same thing over and -over again into unwilling ears, not knowing when he was • defeated.
This peculiarity of liis used to trouble Sucharita very much, not on her own account, but for Paresh Babu. Paresh Bahu had becomo an object of discussion to the whole Brahmo ■ Samaj, — what could be done to counteract that?
Then, again, there was Harimohini, who was coming to • realise, as the days passed by, that the more she tried to keep herself in the background, the more did she become a cause • of disturbance in the family circle; and the humiliations to which she was subjected distressed Sucharita more and more • every day. She could discover no way out of these difficulties.
On the top of this there was Mistress Baroda, who had begun ■to press Paresh Babu to hasten forward Sucharita’s marriage. “ We can’t be responsible for Sucharita any longer,” she .insisted, " now that she has begun to follow her own sweet will. If her wedding is delayed much longer I shall have to take the other girls elsewhere, for Sucharita’s preposterous • example is most pernicious for them. You will have to repont dor your indulgence towards her, I warn you. Look at Lolita. . She was never like this before. Who d’you think is at the root • of her perverse behaviour, — listening to nobody and making herself an all-round nuisance? That affair the other day, which nearly made me die of shame, — do you imagine that • Sucharita had no hand in it? I have never complained before, i because you love Sucharita more than your own daughters, but let me tell you plainly, now, that it can’t go on much longer.”
Paresh Babu was greatly worried, not at Sucharita’s ways, :but because of this disturbance in the family. He had not a • doubt that, when once Mistress Baroda had made up her mind, she would leave no stone unturned to gain her object, and if she saw that her efforts seemed fruitless she would simply redouble them. He felt that if Sucharita’s marriage could possibly be expedited, it would also make for her own peace XLI GORA of mind in the present circumstances, so he said to Baroda: 44 If Panu Babu can get Sucharita to fix the day, I have no objection at all.”
“ How many more times has her consent to be asked, I should like to know,” cried Mistress Baroda. “ You positively astound me! Why all this waiting on her pleasure? Will you tell me where she can get another such husband? You may get angry or not, as you please, but if the truth is to be told, Sucharita is not worthy of Panu Babu! ” “ I have not been able to understand clearly,” said Paresh Babu, “ how Sucharita really feels towards Panu Babu. So until they come to some settlement between themselves, I ■would rather not interfere.”
“ Ah, so you do not understand! ” exclaimed Baroda. “ At last you admit it? That girl is not so easy to under¬ stand, I tell you. You may take it from me, she’s very different inwardly from what she makes herself out to be! ” CHAPTER XLI There had been an article in the newspaper on the falling off in the zeal of the Brahmo Samaj. In it there were such clear references to Paresh Babu’s family that, although no names were mentioned, every one could see plainly who were meant, ■nor was it hard to guess from the style who the writer was. Sucharita had managed, somehow, to read on to the end of the article, and was now engaged in tearing the paper to pieces, — it seemed from the way she had set about it that nothing short of reducing it into its original atoms would appease her!
It was at this moment that Haran entered the room, and drew his chair up beside her. But Sucharita did not even so much as lift her eyes to look at him— so absorbed was she in her task.
“Sucharita,” said Haran, "I have a very important matter to discuss with you to-day, so you must give me your attention.”
Sucharita went on tearing up the paper and, when it was no longer possible to tear the pieces with her fingers, sho took out her scissors and began to cut them into still smaller fragments. Before she had finished, Lolita came into the 200 GORA ciiap.
“ Lolita,” said Haraa, ** I have something to talk over with Sucharita.”
But when Lolita turned to go, Sucharita caught hold of her dress and detained her, whereupon Lolita protested: “ But Panu Babu has something particular to say to you! ” Sucharita, however, took no notice of this remark, and made Lolita come and sit down beside her.
As for Haran, he was constitutionally incapable of taking a hint. So he plunged into his subject without any further ado. He said: “ I do not think that our wedding ought to be delayed any longer. I have had a talk with Paresh Babu* and he says that as soon as you give your consent the day can bo fixed. So I have decided that next Sunday week - ” But Sucharita, without giving him time to finish his sentence* simply said: " No.”
Haran was taken aback by this very concise and determined negative. He had always known Sucharita as a paragon of obedience, and had never even imagined that she could check his proposal before it had been half expressed with just this one word.
“ No! he repeated irately. “ What do you mean by * no ’?— do you want a later day to be fixed? ” “ No,” simply repeated Sucharita.
“ Then what on earth do you mean? ” gasped Haran* quite disconcerted.
“ I do not consent to the marriage,” replied Sucharita, with head bent low.
“ You don’t consent! Whatever can you mean? ” repeated Haran, like one stupefied.
“ It seems, Panu Babu,” interposed Lolita sarcastically* “ that you have forgotten your mother-tongue! ” Haran looked crushingly at Lolita as he said: “ It is easier to confess that I no longer understand my mother-tongue than to have to admit that I have all along misunderstood the oft- repeated words of one for whom I never entertained anything but respect! ” “ It takes time to understand people,” observed Lolita* “ and perhaps that applies to you also.”
“ From first to fast,” said Haran, “ there has been no discrepancy between my deeds and words. I can positively declare that I have never given any one cause to misunder¬ stand me. Let Sucharita herself say whether I am right or wrong! ” Lolita was about to make some rejoinder when Sucharita XLI GORA stopped her and said: “ What you say is quite true! I don’t wish to blame you for a moment.”
“ If you don’t blame me.” exclaimed Haran, “ then why treat me in this disgraceful manner? ” “ You have the right to call it disgraceful,” replied Sucharita firmly, “ but this disgrace I must accept, for I cannot - ” A voice was heard outside: “ Didi, may I come in? ” With an expression of immense relief Sucharita called out at once: “ Oh, it’s you, Binoy Babu, is it? Come in, do."
“ You have made a mistake, Didi, it’s not Binoy Babu, but only Biuoy. You must not overwhelm me with all this formality! ” said Binoy as he entered the room. Then, as he caught sight of Haran and noted the expression on his face, lie added jocosely: “Ah, you are annoyed with me, I see, because I have not been coming for so many days! ” Haran made an attempt to enter into the joke. “ A good reason for being angry too,” ho began, concluding however with: “ But I am afraid you have come just now at rather an inopportune moment. I was discussing an important matter with Sucharita.”
“ Just my luck! ” said Binoy as he got up hurriedly. “ One never knows what is the propitious time to come; thai’s why one hardly dares come at all.”
Ho was about to leave the room, when Sucharita interposed: “ Don’t you go, Binoy Babu. We bavo finished our talk. Sit down.”
Binoy could divine that his arrival had been the means of rescuing Sucharita from some awkward situation, so he sat down cheerfully, saying: “ I never refuse a kindness. If I’m offered a scat, I promptly accept it. That’s my nature. Therefore, Didi, beware! Never say what you don’t mean, or you’ll rue the consequences! ” Haran was reduced to speechlessness, but his demeanour •betokened a rising determination, warning all beholders that ho was not the man to leave the room till he had had his say to the last word.
As soon as Lolita had heard Binoy’s voice from outside the door, her blood was sent coursing through her body, making unsuccessful all her efforts to keep natural. Consequently, when Binoy entered the room, she found it impossible to address him like an ordinary friend, all her attention being taken up in deciding which way she should look and what she should do with her hands. She would have left the room, but Sucharita still had hold of her dress.
GORA CHAP.
GORA CHAP.
Binoy for his part also directed his conversation ostensibly towards Sucharita. not daring, for all his ready wit, to address Lolita directly. He tried to hide his embarrassment by talking volubly, without a pause.
But all the same this new shyness between Lolita and Binoy did not pass unobserved by Haran. Ho was chagrined to see that Lolita, who had been recently adopting such au impudent attitude towards himself, should be so subdued before Binoy. His anger against Paresh Babu increased at this evidence of the evils which he had brought on the family by introducing his daughters to people outside the Brahmo Sainaj. And the feeling that Paresh Babu should live to repent of his folly came upon him with all the force of a curse.
When it became evident that Haran had no intention of moving, Sucharita said to Binoy: “ You haven’t seen Auntie for a long time. She often inquires about you. Wouldn’t you like to come up and see her '? ” “ Don’t you be thinking,” protested Binoy as he got up- to follow Sucharita, “ that I required your words to remind me of Auntie. She was in my thoughts already.”
When Sucharita had left with Binoy, Lolita also rose and said: “ I don’t suppose, Panu Babu, that you have anything special to say to me? ” “ No,” replied Haran. “ As I presume you are wanted elsewhere, I give you leave to go.”
Lolita understood his insinuation, and drawing herself up, to show that she did not shrink from the point of his remark, she said: “ It is so long since Binoy Babu has called that I really must go and have a chat with him. Meanwhile, if you want to read your own writings — but I forget, my sister has just torn your paper into little pieces. However, if you can bear to read anything written by another, you may look through these.” With which she took from a table in the corner some articles of Gora’s which had been carefully put away there and, placing them before Haran, went upstairs.
Harimohini was delighted at Binoy’s visit. It was not simply because she had conceived an affection for this youth, but because lie was so different from the other visitors, who made no secret of regarding her as belonging to some different species. These were all Calcutta people, superior to her in their English and Bengali culture, and their stand-offishness was gradually making her shrink within herself.
In Binoy, Harimohini felt a sense of support. He also XLI GORA was a Calcutta man, and she had heard that his teaming was not to be scoffed at, and yet be had never shown the least sign of disrespect for her, but rather a loving regard. It was especially for this reason that in this short time Binoy had found a place in her heart, like a near relation.
Lolita would never have found it easy to follow so closely after Binoy into Harimohini’s room, but for the blow to her pride which Haran’s sneer had dealt. This not only forced her * to go, but also, when she arrived there, it took away from her • all hesitation in talking freely to Binoy. In fact some snatches- of their laughter floated downstairs, reaching the ears and. getting on the nerves of the deserted Haran, sitting there all by himself.
Haran soon got tired of his own company and thought of assuaging the pain of the wounds he had received by a talk with Mistress Baroda. When he had sought her out and she- learned that Sucharita had expressed her unwillingness to- marry Haran, her indignation knew no bounds.
“ Panu Babu,” she admonished him, “ it won't do for you to be too good-natured in this matter. She has given her consent, time and again, and in fact the whole Brahmo Samaj has taken it as settled long ago. It will never do for you to- allow everything to be turned topsy-turvy simply because- to-day she shakes her head. You must not give up your claim so easily. Be firm, and we shall sec what she can- It was indeed superfluous to incite Haran- to -firmness. All* the time he had been stiffly saying to himself: “ I must see this thing through for the sake of principle. For inc it may not be a great matter to give up Sucharita, but tho dignity of- the Brabmo Samaj is at stake! ” Binoy, in order to get rid of all formality in his relationship- with Harimohini, had asked her to give him something to eat, whereupon Harimohini, fluttered at the request, bustled about, and, arranging some fruit, sweetmeats and roasted grain on a. brass salver, placed it before Binoy together with a glass of milk.
Binoy laughed as he said: “ I thought I would be able to • put Auntie in a fix by saying I was hungry at such an unusual- time, but I sec I have to own defeat! ” With this he was preparing to fall to with a great show of appetite when, all of a sudden, Mistress Baroda made hei appearance.
Binoy bent as low as he could over his plate at her entry,.
CHAP.
201 GORA eaying: “ How is it I didn’t see you downstairs? I’ve been there for some time.”
But Baroda took no notice of his remark or greeting, and looking towards Sucharita, exclaimed: "So our young lady is here, is she? I guessed as much! She’s having her fling, •while poor Panu Babu has been waiting for her all the morning as if he were a supplicant for her favour! I’vo brought up all these girls from childhood, and never had such a thing happen before. Who’s been putting her up to all this, I •wonder? To think of these doings going on in our family! How are we to show our faces in tho Bralimo Samaj any more? ” Harimohini felt greatly perturbed at this and said to Sucharita: “ I didn’t know that any one was waiting for you downstairs. How wrong of me to detain you! Go, my dear, go at once! I should have known better.”
Lolita was on the point of breaking out with a protest that it could not possibly be Harimohini’s fault, but Sucharita with a firm pressure of her hand made her a sign to keep quiet, and without making any reply went away downstairs.
We have told how Binoy had at first won his way into Baroda’s good graces. She felt quite sure that through the influence of their family he would before long become a member of the Brabmo Samaj, and she felt a special pride in tho thought that she would thus be the making of this young man. In fact she had on several occasions boasted of her exploit to some of her Brahmo friends. It made her all the more bitter to find this same Binoy established in the camp of the enemy, with ■her own daughter, Lolita, as his ally in rebellion.
“ Lolita, have you any special business here? ” she asked cuttingly.
“ Yes, Binoy Babu came up, so I - ” “ Leave Binoy Babu to be entertained by those he came to 'visit. You are wanted downstairs! ” Lolita at once jumped to the conclusion that Haran bad been coupling her name with Binoy’s in a way he bad no right to do. This stiffened her attitude, and what she hud haltingly begun, she finished with an uncalled-for effusiveness: “ Binoy Babu has called after a long time. I want to have a good talk with him first, and then I’ll come down.”
Mistress Baroda understood from her tone that Lolita xefused to be intimidated and, fearing to have to confess defeat in Harirnohini’s presence, she said nothing more, leaving the ■room without taking any notice of Binoy.
SC LI I GORA Of Lolita’s eagerness for a ebat with Biuoy, which she had just expressed to her mother, not a trace was to be found after JBaroda left. For a little time the three of them sat in awkward silence, and then Lolita rose and, going to her own room, •shut herself in...Binoy clearly realised what Hariraohini’s position in that household was, and directing the conversation to that end.he :"radually heard all her past history.
When she had finished telling him everything, Harimohini *aid: “ My child, the world is not the proper place for an un¬ fortunate woman like me. It would have been better for me df I had been able to go to some sacred place and had tried to .serve God there. I had a small sum of money left, and could have lived on it for some time, and even if I had lived still .longer I could have managed to get along somehow by cooking jn some family. Plenty of people live in Benares like that!
“ But my mind is so sinful, I could not bring myself to do at. Whenever I am alone, all my sorrows seem to press on me :and prevent me even from thinking about God. Sometimes I feel I shall go mad. Radharani and Satish have been to me -what a raft is to a drowning man,— the very thought of having to leave them again almost chokes me. Therefore it is that, day ^nd night, I am haunted by the fear that I shall have to give •them up too— otherwise, after losing my all, why should I again have come to love them so much in such a short time?
° “ I don’t mind speaking out my heart to you, mv son, so I •tell you, ever since I have got theso two, I seem to be able to worship God with my whole heart— and if I lose them, my •God will become nothing but hard stone.”
With these words she wiped the tears from her eyes.
CHAPTER XLII Sucharita went downstairs and standing in front of Haran said: “ What is it you are waiting to tell me? ” “ Sit down,” said Haran.
But Sucharita remained as she was.
“ Sucharita, you have done me a wrong,” went on Haran.
“ You too have done wrong to me,” said Sucharita.
" The word I plighted is still as good - •” Haran was about to continue when Sucharita interrupted him.
“ Do people wrong each other only with words? Would GOKA CUAPi you force me to act against my inclination because of a word {' Is not the truth greater than any number of false words? Merely because I have repeated the same mistake manv times, is the mistake to prevail? Now that I have realise*!, where it was wrong, I cannot abide by my former consent,— to do that would be truly wrong.”
Haran was at a loss to understand how such a change could: have come over Sucharita. Ho had neither the penetratiom nor the modesty to guess that it was due to his inconsiderate persistence that she had been compelled to break through her natural reserve and quietness. So, mentally putting all the- blame on her new companions, he asked: A What is this mistake you say you have discovered? ” “ Whv ask me that? ” said Sucharita. " Is it not enough that I tell you I have withdrawn my consent? ” " But surely wo aro called upon to offer some explanation! to the Brahmo Samaj ” urged Haran. “ What will you say, and what shall I sav, to our members? " “ As myself,” said Sucharita, “ I will say nothing. Ifl you must say something, then you can tell them that Sucharita. is too young, or too foolish, or too changeable. Say just what you like. But as between us, there is nothing more to be said.”- * It cannot end like this,” cried Haran. “ If Parcsb Babu - ' At this moment Paresh Babu himself came in. “ Well,. Panu Babu,” he inquired, “ were you wanting to say anything Sucharita was passing out of the room, but Haran called her back and said: “ No, Sucharita, you must not go now. Let us discuss the matter in the presence of Paresh Babu.”
Sucharita turned and stood where she was, while Haran- said: ‘ Paresh Babu, after all this time Sucharita now say* that she docs not consent to our marriage. Was it right for her to play like this with a matter of such vital importance?' wont you, too, have to take some of the responsibility for this ugly business? ” Paresh Babu stroked Sucharita’s hair as ho said gently z “ ^Jy <fear> ^ere >9 no need for you to stay on, you may At these simple words of sympathetic understanding, the- tears came rushing into Sucharita’s eyes and she hurried away from the room.
Paresh Babu then continued: “ It is because I feared that Sucharita bad given her consent without fully understanding XLIII GORA her own mind that I was hesitating to grant your request about the formal betrothal."
“ Does it not occur to you,” replied Haran, “ that perhaps she understood her own mind right enough when she gave hei consent, but that it is her refusal which is due to her not under¬ standing her own mind? ” “ Both suppositions are possible," admitted Parcsh Babu. “ But in such a state of doubt surely no marriage can take place.”
“ Will you not advise Sucharita in her own interest? ” “ You should know that I could not advise Sucharita other¬ wise than in her own interest."
“ If that had really been the case,” broke out Haran, “ then Sucharita could never have come to this pass. All that is happening in your family nowadays, I tell you to your face, is due simply to your lack of judgement.”
Paresh Babu laughed slightly as he replied: “ You are quite right there, — if I do not take the responsibility for what happens in my own family, who else is to do so? " “ Well, I can assure you that you will have to repent some day,” concluded Haran.
“ Repentance is a gift of God’s grace. I fear to do wrong, Panu Babu, but not to repent,” replied Paresh Babu.
At this point Sucharita came back and taking Paresh Babu by the hand said: “ Father, it is time for your worship.”
“ Panu Babu, will you wait a little? ” asked Paresh Babu.
With an abrupt “ No ” Haran at length departed.
CHAPTER XLIII Sucharita was dismayed at the struggle which it now seemed she was in for, both with her own self as well as with her surroundings. Her feelings towards Gora had all this time, unknown to herself, been growing in strength, and when after his arrest they had become so clear — almost irresistible — she had no idea how it would end. She iclt uuablc to take any¬ body into her confidence about it, she even shrank from facing it herself.
She did not get any opportunity for the solitude in which she might have tried to end the conflict within her by some kind of compromise, for Haran had contrived to bring the angry members of their Samaj buzzing all round her. Them 208 GORA chap.
were even signs that he would sound the tocsin in the news¬ papers.