you!

_Director._ All that in our house? or are you joking?

_Actress._ [_Aside._] Yes, I will have my joke. [_Aloud._] It's in the
market-place, sir.

_Director._ [_Angrily._] You wretched woman, thus shall your own
hope be cut off! And death shall find you out! For my expectations,
like a scaffolding, have been raised so high, only to fall again.

_Actress._ Forgive me, sir, forgive me! It was only a joke.

_Director._ But what do these unusual preparations mean? One girl
is preparing cosmetics, another is weaving garlands, and the very
ground is adorned with sacrificial flowers of five different colors.

_Actress._ This is a fast day, sir.

_Director._ What fast?

_Actress._ The fast for a handsome husband.

_Director._ In this world, mistress, or the next?

_Actress._ In the next world, sir.

_Director._ [_Wrathfully._] Gentlemen! look at this. She is sacrificing
my food to get herself a husband in the next world.

_Actress._ Don't be angry, sir. I am fasting in the hope that you
may be my husband in my next birth, too.

_Director._ But who suggested this fast to you?

_Actress._ Your own dear friend Jurnavriddha.

_Director._ [_Angrily._] Ah, Jurnavriddha, son of a slave-wench!
When, oh, when shall I see King Palaka angry with you? Then
you will be parted, as surely as the scented hair of some young
bride.

P. 8.10]

_Actress._ Don't be angry, sir. It is only that I may have you in the
next world that I celebrate this fast. [_She falls at his feet._]

_Director._ Stand up, mistress, and tell me who is to officiate at this
fast.

_Actress._ Some Brahman of our own sort whom we must invite.

_Director._ You may go then. And I will invite some Brahman of
our own sort.

_Actress._ Very well, sir. [_Exit._

_Director._ [_Walking about._] Good heavens! In this rich city of
Ujjayini how am I to find a Brahman of our own sort? [_He looks
about him._] Ah, here comes Charudatta's friend Maitreya. Good!
I'll ask him. Maitreya, you must be the first to break bread in
our house to-day.

_A voice behind the scenes._ You must invite some other Brahman.
I am busy.

_Director._ But, man, the feast is set and you have it all to yourself.
Besides, you shall have a present.

_The voice._ I said no once. Why should you keep on urging me?

_Director._ He says no. Well, I must invite some other Brahman.

[_Exit._

E