rd-gate is shut? Good! I'll
give this jackanapes a hint. [_He throws lumps of mud._]

_Maitreya._ Well! Who is this pelting me with mud, as if I were
an apple-tree inside of a fence?

_Charudatta._ Doubtless the pigeons that play on the roof of the
garden-house.

_Maitreya._ Wait a minute, you confounded pigeon! With this
stick I'll bring you down from the roof to the ground, like an
over-ripe mango. [_He raises his stick and starts to run._]

P. 136.8]

_Charudatta._ [_Holding him back by the sacred cord._] Sit down, my
friend. What do you mean? Leave the poor pigeon alone with his
mate.

_Kumbhilaka._ What! he sees the pigeon and doesn't see me? Good!
I'll hit him again with another lump of mud. [_He does so._]

_Maitreya._ [_Looks about him._] What! Kumbhilaka? I'll be with you
in a minute. [_He approaches and opens the gate._] Well, Kumbhilaka,
come in. I'm glad to see you.

_Kumbhilaka._ [_Enters._] I salute you, sir.

_Maitreya._ Where do you come from, man, in this rain and darkness?

_Kumbhilaka._ You see, she's here.

_Maitreya._ Who's she? Who's here?

_Kumbhilaka._ She. See? She.

_Maitreya._ Look here, you son of a slave! What makes you sigh
like a half-starved old beggar in a famine, with your "shesheshe"?

_Kumbhilaka._ And what makes you hoot like an owl with your
"whowhowho"?

_Maitreya._ All right. Tell me.

_Kumbhilaka._ [_Aside._] Suppose I say it this way. [_Aloud._] I'll give
you a riddle, man.

_Maitreya._ And I'll give you the answer with my foot on your
bald spot.

_Kumbhilaka._ Not till you've guessed it. In what season do the
mango-trees blossom?

_Maitreya._ In summer, you jackass.

_Kumbhilaka._ [_Laughing._] Wrong!

_Maitreya._ [_Aside._] What shall I say now? [_Reflecting._] Good! I'll
go and ask Charudatta. [_Aloud._] Just wait a moment. [_Approaching
Charudatta._] My friend, I just wanted to ask you in what
season the mango-trees blossom.

[81.3. S.

_Charudatta._ You fool, in spring, in _vasanta._

_Maitreya._ [_Returns to Kumbhilaka._] You fool, in spring, in _vasanta_.

_Kumbhilaka._ Now I 'll give you another. Who guards thriving
villages?

_Maitreya._ Why, the guard.

_Kumbhilaka._ [_Laughing._] Wrong!

_Maitreya._ Well, I'm stuck. [_Reflecting._] Good! I'll ask Charudatta
again. [_He returns and puts the question to Charudatta._]

_Charudatta._ The army, my friend, the _sena_.

_Maitreya._ [_Comes back to Kumbhilaka._] The army, you jackass