[Rising hastily] 'Sh, be quiet.
AMAL. No, Fakir, did you think I was asleep? I wasn't. I can
hear everything; yes, and voices far away. I feel that mother
and father are sitting by my pillow and speaking to me.
[MADHAV enters]
HEADMAN. I say, Madhav, I hear you hobnob with bigwigs nowadays.
MADHAV. Spare me your jests, Headman, we are but common people.
HEADMAN. But your child here is expecting a letter from the
King.
MADHAV. Don't you take any notice of him, a mere foolish boy!
HEADMAN. Indeed, why not! It'll beat the King hard to find a
better family! Don't you see why the King plants his new Post
Office right before your window? Why there's a letter for you
from the King, urchin.
AMAL. [Starting up] Indeed, really!
HEADMAN. How can it be false? You're the King's chum. Here's
your letter [showing a blank slip of paper]. Ha, ha, ha! This
is the letter.
AMAL. Please don't mock me. Say, Fakir, is it so?
GAFFER. Yes, my dear. I as Fakir tell you it is his letter.
AMAL. How is it I can't see? It all looks so blank to me. What
is there in the letter, Mr. Headman?
HEADMAN. The King says, "I am calling on you shortly; you had
better arrange puffed rice offerings for me.--Palace fare is
quite tasteless to me now.
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