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and stay at home, but the inability to accompany the deputation was
keenly felt and sincerely regretted. In a letter addressed to Lala Lajpat
Rai about the time, he observes: "My father is very weak and ill at
Muzaffargarh. He likes that I should live with him. Now I am
officiating in Lahore. His coming here will unnecessarily produce
undue expenditure. Besides, his being here will not allow me to stir
from Lahore, my promise to go on a mission, Samajic or other, will go
for nothing. Duty to father and duty to country are at conflict, mind is
set in abeyance; every holiday I go to Multan and come back." This
was followed by another letter after a short interval in which he writes:
"Guru Datta Vidyarthi, is sad enough to find that he cannot leave
Muzaffargarh, at which place he will sojourn during the whole term
of vacation. He is but
powerless to wander about a-preaching.
Father is
very ill and he most urgently demands my presence with him every
moment.
I know what sacrifices shall I have to undergo
to please my father.
Say what you will advise."26
The summer vacation of 1886 was spent at Muzaffargarh beside
the father's sick-bed. There was not only no improvement in his
condition for some time, but the disease grew virulent and Panditji
lost all hope of his recovery. He, however, nursed him with the devotion
of a dutiful son, personally administering medicines and supervising
all arrangements made in connection with his illness. The disease at
last spent its fury and there were signs of relief. The gentleman fully
recovered. In the meantime the vacation was over and Pandit Guru
Datta returned to Lahore. He was officiating in these days as the
Assistant Professor of Science in the Government College, Lahore. The
year rolled on; he was sorry that he had not served his community as
much as he desired.
Next year (1887) he was appointed Officiating Professor of
Science in place of Mr. Oman who went on leave.
But whether working as assistant professor or as professor,
his heart was in the D.A.V. College. And we find him again
prepared to go out on a lecturing tour for the same institution in
the summer vacation:
A deputation for collecting subscriptions for the College was
organised like the one in the last year during summer vacation but
unfortunately a few days before starting on the eleemosynary tour,
Panditji's father again fell ill. He must 'stay at home. But at the
same time he was very anxious to serve the College. The father
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