"Neither of us i.e. me and Chowdhury jii will ever force you to do anything against your wishes, but with your coming into the house-hold he has been starving for weeks yet, he has never complained. When we decided to help you we never thought of the consequences it would have on us. The only thought in our mind was to help you in your time of need." Shanta stopped at this; it was almost as if she could not speak anymore.

Chandrakali was speechless for a while, as if to let everything that she had heard soak in. When she spoke it was as if she had made up her mind, "Didi, I have understood what you have said, trust me not only will I not tell a soul about this, but I will also do anything that you and Chowdhury jii expect from me."