Scene 5

(Dharma and the Karmayogin Office. Aurobindo and Nolini. Time: evening.)

AUROBINDO: Nolini, have you any desire to learn European languages, French, for instance, to start with?

NOLINI: (Taken aback) If you are pleased to help me, most certainly.

AUROBINDO: The National College has a stock of my books, I have lent them to it. (Handing him a short note) Take this to the College Library. They will give you a volume of Moličre’s works.

(Nolini goes out with the note and returns with the book.)

AUROBINDO: (Selecting L'Avare) Start here.

NOLINI: (Overwhelmed with surprise) Such a big leap for a beginner!

AUROBINDO: (Smiling) Shake off old ideas. Come along with me. Read as I do.

(Sri Aurobindo reads, Nolini follows—the former occasionally correcting the latter in pronunciation.)

Pronunciation well learnt, the thoughts and sentiments will present no difficulty. I will facilitate your understanding by writing the English meanings of difficult words in the margins.