The Home and the World

Bimala wonders why she suddenly feels so shameless. She begins to overdress with the specific intent of pleasing Sandip. For his part, Sandip praises her appearance in front of others, even Nikhil. Bimala compares herself to a small river whose waters have suddenly burst their shores, turning into a churning sea of waves. Sandip consults her on all small matters regarding what she calls “the Cause.” At first, this shocks her, but he flatters her intelligence, and she begins to look forward to every small conversation. Sandip excludes Nikhil from their talks, and Bimala is sad that her husband allows Sandip to treat him as if he is merely a little brother.

One day, Sandip goes down the hall to visit Bimala, whom he now thinks of as “Bee,” and finds a guard there. The guard, Nanku, says that it is forbidden for him to visit her inappropriately. He has orders. Sandip strikes him. Bimala comes out and tells Nanku to leave. After he goes, Nikhil appears. Bimala tells him that Nanku insulted Sandip. When Nikhil questions Nanku, he says the orders came from Bara Rani, Nikhil’s sister. When Nanku leaves them, Bimala says that he must go, meaning that he must be expelled from the house.