my child? When your papa is rich again, then you
shall have a gold cart to play with. But I'll amuse him by taking
him to see Vasantasena. [_She approaches Vasantasena._] Mistress,
my service to you.

_Vasantasena._ I am glad to see you, Radanika. But whose little
boy is this? He wears no ornaments, yet his dear little face makes
my heart happy.

_Radanika._ This is Charudatta's son, Rohasena.

_Vasantasena._ [_Stretches out her arms._] Come, my boy, and put
your little arms around me. [_She takes him on her lap._] He looks
just like his father.

_Radanika._ More than looks like him, he _is_ like him. At least I
think so. His father is perfectly devoted to him.

_Vasantasena._ But what is he crying about?

_Radanika._ He used to play with a gold cart that belongs to the
son of a neighbor. But that was taken away, and when he asked
for it, I made him this little clay cart. But when I gave it to him,
he said "I don't like this little clay cart, Radanika. Give me my
gold cart."

P. 158.10]

_Vasantasena._ Oh, dear! To think that this little fellow has to suffer
because others are wealthy. Ah, mighty Fate! the destinies of men,
uncertain as the water-drops which fall upon a lotus-leaf, seem to
thee but playthings! [_Tearfully._] Don't cry, my child. You shall
have a gold cart to play with.

_Rohasena._ Who is she, Radanika?

_Vasantasena._ A slave of your father's, won by his virtues.

_Radanika._ My child, the lady is your mother.

_Rohasena._ That's a lie, Radanika. If the lady is my mother, why
does she wear those pretty ornaments?

_Vasantasena._ My child, your innocent lips can say terrible things.
[_She removes her ornaments. Weeping._] Now I am your mother.
You shall take these ornaments and have a gold cart made for you.

_Rohasena._ Go away! I won't take them. You're crying.

_Vasantasena._ [_Wiping away her tears._] I'll not cry, dear. There!
go and play. [_She fills the clay cart with her jewels._] There, dear,
you must have a little gold cart made for you.

[_Exit Radanika, with Rohasena._

[_Enter Vardhamanaka, driving a bullock-cart._]

_Vardhamanaka._ Radanika, Radanika! Tell mistress Vasantasena
that the covered cart is standing ready at the side-door.

_Radanika._ [_Entering._] Mistress, Vardhamanaka is here, and he
says that the cart is waiting at the side-door.

_Vasantasena._ He must wait a minute, girl, while I get ready.

_Rad._ Wait a