minute, Vardhamanaka, while she gets ready. [_Exit._

_Vardhamanaka._ Hello, I've forgotten the cushion. I must go and
get it. But the nose-rope makes the bullocks skittish. I suppose I
had better take the cart along with me. [_Exit._

[96.14. S.

_Vasantasena._ Bring me my things, girl. I must make myself ready.
[_She does so._]

* * * * *

[_Enter, driving a bullock-cart, Sthavaraka, servant to Sansthanaka._]

_Sthavaraka._ Sansthanaka, the king's brother-in-law, said to me "Take a
bullock-cart, Sthavaraka, and come as quick as you can to the old garden
Pushpakaranda." Well, I'm on my way there. Get up, bullocks, get up!
[_He drives about and looks around._] Why, the road is blocked with
villagers' carts. What am I to do now? [_Haughtily._] Get out of my way,
you! Get out of my way! [_He listens._] What's that? you want to know
whose cart this is? This cart belongs to Sansthanaka, the king's
brother-in-law. So get out of my way--and this minute, too! [_He looks
about._] Why, here's a man going in the other direction as fast as he
can. He is trying to hide like a runaway gambler, and he looks at me as
if I were the gambling-master. I wonder who he is. But then, what
business is it of mine? I must get there as soon as I can. Get out of my
way, you villagers, get out of my way! What's that? you want me to wait
a minute and put a shoulder to your wheel? Confound you! A brave man
like me, that serves Sansthanaka, the king's brother-in-law, put a
shoulder to your wheel? After all, the poor fellow is quite alone. I'll
do it. I'll stop my cart at the side-door to Charudatta's orchard. [_He
does so._] I'm coming! [_Exit._

_Maid._ Mistress, I think I hear the sound of wheels. The cart
must be here.

_Vasantasena._ Come, girl. My heart grows impatient. Go with me
to the side-door.

_Maid._ Follow me, mistress.

_Vasantasena._ [_Walks about._] You have earned a rest, girl.

_Maid._ Thank you, mistress. [_Exit._

_Vasantasena._ [_Feels her right eye twitch_[68] _as she enters the
cart._] Why should my right eye twitch now? But the sight of Charudatta
will smooth away the bad omen. [_Enter Sthavaraka._]

P. 169.8]

_Sthavaraka._ I've cleared the carts out of the way, and now I'll
go ahead. [_He mounts and drives away. To himself._] The cart has
grown heavy. But I suppose it only seems so, bec