How did Damu Anna react after receiving Baba's discouraging reply to his proposal?

Damu Anna's reaction was one of extreme disappointment and regret. Upon reading the reply from Baba, Damu Shet was crestfallen. Chapter 25 vividly describes this, stating that "The fortress of his desires crumbled; the tree of hope was uprooted." He had been fantasizing about earning a lakh, putting half of it on interest, and living happily as a millionaire. The rejection of this plan made him feel that he had caused his own harm by writing the letter, lamenting that he had "kicked away the served plate" himself.