The Post Office | Page 8

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 to keep the patient awake.
MADHAV. Amal has shut his eyes. I expect he is sleeping. His face tells me--Oh, Doctor, I bring in a child who is a stranger and love him as my own, and now I suppose I must lose him!
DOCTOR. What's that? There's your headman sailing in!--What a bother! I must be going, brother. You had better stir about and see to the doors being properly fastened. I will send on a strong dose directly I get home. Try it on him--it may save him at last, if he can be saved at all. [Exeunt MADHAV and DOCTOR.]
[The HEADMAN enters]
HEADMAN. Hello, urchin!
GAFFER. [Rising hastily] 'Sh, be quiet.
AMAL. No, Fakir, did you think I was asleep? I wasn't. I can hear everything; yes, and voices far away. I feel that mother and father are sitting by my pillow and speaking to me.
[MADHAV enters]
HEADMAN. I say, Madhav, I hear you hobnob with bigwigs nowadays.
MADHAV. Spare me your jests, Headman, we are but common people.
HEADMAN. But your child here is expecting a letter from the King.
MADHAV. Don't you take any notice of him, a mere foolish boy!
HEADMAN. Indeed, why not! It'll beat the King hard to find a better family! Don't you see why the King plants his new Post Office right before your window? Why there's a letter for you from the King, urchin.
AMAL. [Starting up] Indeed, really!
HEADMAN. How can it be false? You're the King's chum. Here's your letter [showing a blank slip of paper]. Ha, ha, ha! This is the letter.
AMAL. Please don't mock me. Say, Fakir, is it so?
GAFFER. Yes, my dear. I as Fakir tell you it is his letter.
AMAL. How is it I can't see? It all looks so blank to me. What is there in the letter, Mr. Headman?
HEADMAN. The King says, "I am calling on you shortly; you had better arrange puffed rice offerings for me.--Palace fare is quite tasteless to me now." Ha! ha! ha!
MADHAV. [With folded palms] I beseech you, headman, don't you joke about these things--
GAFFER.