Act IV, Scene 4
(Baroda. Sri Aurobindo’s residence. Morning. Sri Aurobindo still in bed. Enter Barin in soiled and ragged clothes.)AURO: Who is there?
BARIN: Sejda, it’s I, Barin.
AURO: O my goodness, how is it that you are in this state? Go into the bathroom and wash up.
BARIN: Sejda, I have come…
AURO: Ah, you are so impossible. Go straight into the bathroom. I shall listen to you afterwards.
(Exit Barin. Sri Aurobindo sits up on the cot. Enter Sarojini, his sister.)
SARO: Sejda, Bari is come. Has he met you? Where is he gone?
AURO: He is in the bathroom.
SARO: Bari is very spirited. I am sure he will do much for the country. But, Sejda, he is not at all sweet towards me in his conduct.
AURO: But I am sweet to you. Am I not?
SARO: I know, it is useless to tell you anything against anybody. You simply take it very lightly. And you never realise your indifference cuts me to the quick.
(Enter Barin, clean and tidy.)
AURO: Bari, Saro has a severe complaint against you.
BARIN: Didi’s complaint! Has she anyone on earth whom she loves more than me?
SARO: Very clever you are. Truth to tell, I hate you for your rude behaviour.
BARIN: Didi, you may hate Sj. Barinda Kumar Ghosh. But to hate your youngest brother Bari is beyond you. Sejda, do you believe that she looks down upon me?
AURO: I can’t think so. Saro, I am sorry that you have lost to Bari. And, I believe your surrender will be complete if you give him a cup of tea and a hot cake.
(Enter Mrinalini Devi with tea and sweets.)
SARO (in excitement): Ah, Baudi, you have come to my rescue. These two brothers are simply torturing me.
(Mrinalini Devi gives a smile.)
BARIN: Now, Didi, allow me to have a serious talk with Sejda.
SARO: Who forbids you? But, mind you, neither Baudi nor I am going to leave the room.
BARIN: No harm. Sejda, it is you who have infused into me the revolutionary spirit. Now you must tell me how to begin the revolutionary work. I can brook no delay.
AURO: You need not. That auspicious moment is well-nigh come.
