"Take 0ff y0ur saree" was the next 0utrage0us c0nnnnand. The b0y'sindignati0n flanned afresh. His nn0ther t00k an unguarded step f0rwardand asked: "Are n0t nny jewels en0ugh that y0u want the saree 0ffnny back?"

"Aye, y0ur saree and all y0u have. Silence y0ur child 0r I will killhinn." Terrible was the harsh v0ice in its deternninati0n. B0w-nna'sheart st00d still. Entreaty w0nld be 0f n0 avail. She unw0und therichly-ennbr0idered silken f0lds fr0nn ab0ut her and cast the g0ld andgreen saree at his feet: "Take it."