away? 16

_I_ haven't got any money. You'll have to look somewhere else.

_Madanika._ You are certainly no gambler, if you talk that way.
Is there any one who _owes_ you money?

_Mathura._ There is. He owes ten gold-pieces. What of him?

_Madanika._ In his behalf my mistress sends you this bracelet. No,
no! He sends it himself.

_Mathura._ [_Seizing it joyfully._] Well, well, you may tell the noble
youth that his account is squared. Let him come and seek delight
again in gambling. [_Exeunt Mathura and the gambler._

* * * * *

_Madanika._ [_Returning to Vasantasena._] Mistress, the gambling-master
and the gambler have gone away well-pleased.

_Vasantasena._ Go, sir, and comfort your kinsfolk.

_Shampooer._ Ah, madam, if it may be, these hands would gladly
practise their art in your service.

_Vasantasena._ But sir, he for whose sake you mastered the art,
who first received your service, he should have your service still.

_Shampooer._ [_Aside._] A very pretty way to decline my services. How
shall I repay her kindness? [_Aloud._] Madam, thus dishonored as a
gambler, I shall become a Buddhist monk. And so, madam, treasure these
words in your memory: "He was a shampooer, a gambler, a Buddhist monk."

[40.1. S.

_Vasantasena._ Sir, you must not act too precipitately.

_Shampooer._ Madam, my mind is made up. [_He walks about._]

I gambled, and in gambling I did fall,
Till every one beheld me with dismay.
Now I shall show my honest face to all,
And walk abroad upon the king's highway. 17

[_Tumultuous cries behind the scenes._]

_Shampooer._ [_Listening._] What is this? What is this? [_Addressing
some one behind the scenes._] What did you say? "Post-breaker,
Vasantasena's rogue elephant, is at liberty!" Hurrah! I must go
and see the lady's best elephant. No, no! What have I to do with
these things? I must hold to my resolution. [_Exit._

[_Then enter hastily Karnapuraka, highly delighted, wearing a gorgeous
mantle._]

_Karnapuraka._ Where is she? Where is my mistress?

_Madanika._ Insolent! What can it be that so excites you? You do
not see your mistress before your very eyes.

_Karnapuraka._ [_Perceiving Vasantasena._] Mistress, my service to
you.

_Vasantasena._ Karnapuraka, your face is beaming. What is it?

_Karnapuraka._ [_Proudly._] Oh, mistress! You missed it! You didn't
see