The Post Office | Page 8

forest when the sky is
quite clear after rain?
GAFFER. That's so. You know all about it already.
AMAL. I do, everything.
GAFFER. So I see, but how?
AMAL. I can't say; but it's quite clear to me. I fancy I've seen it often in
days long gone by. How long ago I can't tell. Do you know when? I can
see it all: there, the King's postman coming down the hillside alone, a
lantern in his left hand and on his back a bag of letters climbing down
for ever so long, for days and nights, and where at the foot of the
mountain the waterfall becomes a stream he takes to the footpath on the
bank and walks on through the rye; then comes the sugarcane field and
he disappears into the narrow lane cutting through the tall stems of
sugarcanes; then he reaches the open meadow where the cricket chirps
and where there is not a single man to be seen, only the snipe wagging
their tails and poking at the mud with their bills. I can feel him coming
nearer and nearer and my heart becomes glad.
GAFFER. My eyes aren't young; but you make me see all the same.
AMAL. Say, Fakir, do you know the King who has this Post Office?
GAFFER. I do; I go to him for my alms every day.

AMAL. Good! When I get well, I must have my alms too from him,
mayn't I?
GAFFER. You won't need to ask, my dear, he'll give it to you of his
own accord.
AMAL. No, I would go to his gate and cry, "Victory to thee, O King!"
and dancing to the tabor's sound, ask for alms. Won't it be nice?
GAFFER. It would be splendid, and if you're with me, I shall have my
full share. But what'll you ask?
AMAL. I shall say, "Make me your postman, that I may go about
lantern in hand, delivering your letters from door to door. Don't let me
stay at home all day!"
GAFFER. What is there to be sad for, my child, even were you to stay
at home?
AMAL. It isn't sad. When they shut me in here first I felt the day was
so long. Since the King's Post Office I like it more and more being
indoors, and as I think I shall get a letter one day, I feel quite happy and
then I don't mind being quiet and alone. I wonder if I shall make out
what'll be in the King's letter?
GAFFER. Even if you didn't wouldn't it be enough if it just bore your
name?
[MADHAV enters]
MADHAV. Have you any idea of the trouble you've got me into,
between you two?
GAFFER. What's the matter?
MADHAV. I hear you've let it get rumored about that the King has
planted his office here to send messages to both of you.
GAFFER. Well, what about it?

MADHAV. Our headman Panchanan has had it told to the King
anonymously.
GAFFER. Aren't we aware that everything reaches the King's ears?
MADHAV. Then why don't you look out? Why take the King's name
in vain? You'll bring me to ruin if you do.
AMAL. Say, Fakir, will the King be cross?
GAFFER. Cross, nonsense! And with a child like you and a fakir such
as I am. Let's see if the King be angry, and then won't I give him a
piece of my mind.
AMAL. Say, Fakir, I've been feeling a sort of darkness coming over my
eyes since the morning. Everything seems like a dream. I long to be
quiet. I don't feel like talking at all. Won't the King's letter come?
Suppose this room melts away all on a sudden, suppose--
GAFFER. [Fanning AMAL] The letter's sure to come to-day, my boy.
[DOCTOR enters]
DOCTOR. And how do you feel to-day?
AMAL. Feel awfully well to-day, Doctor. All pain seems to have left
me.
DOCTOR. [Aside to MADHAV] Don't quite like the look of that smile.
Bad sign that, his feeling well! Chakradhan has observed--
MADHAV. For goodness sake, Doctor, leave Chakradhan alone. Tell
me what's going to happen?
DOCTOR. Can't hold him in much longer, I fear! I warned you
before--This looks like a fresh exposure.
MADHAV. No, I've used the utmost care, never let him out of doors;
and the windows have been shut almost all the time.

DOCTOR. There's a peculiar quality in the air to-day. As I came in I
found a fearful draught through your front door. That's most hurtful.
Better lock it at once. Would it matter if this kept your visitors off for
two or three days? If someone happens to call unexpectedly--there's the
back door. You had better shut this window as well, it's letting in the
sunset rays only