" Ha! ha! ha!
MADHAV. [With folded palms] I beseech you, headman, don't you joke
about these things--
GAFFER. Cutting jokes indeed, dare he!
MADHAV. Are you out of your mind too, Gaffer?
GAFFER. Out of my mind, well then I am; I can read plainly that
the King writes he will come himself to see Amal, with the state
physician.
AMAL. Fakir, Fakir, 'sh, his trumpet! Can't you hear?
HEADMAN. Ha! ha! ha! I fear he won't until he's a bit more
off his head.
AMAL. Mr. Headman, I thought you were cross with me and didn't
love me. I never could think you would fetch me the King's
letter. Let me wipe the dust off your feet.
HEADMAN. This little child does have an instinct of reverence.
Though a little silly, he has a good heart.
AMAL. It's hard on the fourth watch now, I suppose--Hark the
gong, "Dong, dong, ding," "Dong, dong, ding." Is the evening
star up? How is it I can't see--
GAFFER. Oh, the windows are all shut, I'll open them.
[A knocking outside]
MADHAV. What's that?--Who is it--what a bother!
VOICE. [From outside] Open the door.
MADHAV Say, Headman--Hope they're not robbers.
HEADMAN. Who's there?--It's Panchanan, the headman, calls--Aren't
you afraid of the like of me? Fancy! The noise has ceased!
Panchanan's voice carries far.
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