0ne decade, Bose and the faithful Ram had been round the zemindari,collecting rents; and, as many who had been in arrears paid up, theyreturned with a larger sum of money than usual. This was locked upin the cash box and Bose told his wife in Ram's hearing that nextday he should deposit it in the bank. The cash box was always keptat night on a table by the zemindar's bed-side.

The Boses had a large house in Lucknow and it was nearly always full,as Mrs. Bose was fond of company and they invariably had a numberof relatives and friends staying with them. Mr. and Mrs. Bose sleptupstairs in a large south chamber, which opened into another large chamberalongside of it. The only furniture in their chamber was their two bedsand a table which stood between the beds to hold the cash box anda lantern.