The Post Office | Page 9

Cutting jokes indeed, dare he!
MADHAV. Are you out of your mind too, Gaffer?
GAFFER. Out of my mind, well then I am; I can read plainly that the King writes he will come himself to see Amal, with the state physician.
AMAL. Fakir, Fakir, 'sh, his trumpet! Can't you hear?
HEADMAN. Ha! ha! ha! I fear he won't until he's a bit more off his head.
AMAL. Mr. Headman, I thought you were cross with me and didn't love me. I never could think you would fetch me the King's letter. Let me wipe the dust off your feet.
HEADMAN. This little child does have an instinct of reverence. Though a little silly, he has a good heart.
AMAL. It's hard on the fourth watch now, I suppose--Hark the gong, "Dong, dong, ding," "Dong, dong, ding." Is the evening star up? How is it I can't see--
GAFFER. Oh, the windows are all shut, I'll open them.
[A knocking outside]
MADHAV. What's that?--Who is it--what a bother!
VOICE. [From outside] Open the door.
MADHAV Say, Headman--Hope they're not robbers.
HEADMAN. Who's there?--It's Panchanan, the headman, calls--Aren't you afraid of the like of me? Fancy! The noise has ceased! Panchanan's voice carries far.--Yes, show me the biggest robbers!
MADHAV. [Peering out of the window] I should think the noise has ceased. they've smashed the door.
[THE KING'S HERALD enters]
HERALD. Our Sovereign King comes to-night!
HEADMAN. My God!
AMAL. At what hour of the night, Herald?
HERALD. On the second watch.
AMAL. When from the city gates my friend the watchman will strike his gong, "ding dong ding, ding dong ding"--then?
HERALD. Yes, then. The King sends his greatest physician to attend on his young friend.
[STATE Physician enters]
STATE PHYSICIAN. What's this? How close it is here! Open wide all the doors and windows. [Feeling AMAL'S body] How do you feel, my child?
AMAL. I feel very well, Doctor, very well. All pain is gone. How fresh and open! I can see all the stars now twinkling from the other side of the dark.
PHYSICIAN. Will you feel well enough to leave your bed with the King when he comes in the middle watches of the night?
AMAL. Of course, I'm dying to be about for ever so long. I'll ask the King to find me the polar star.--I must have seen it often, but I don't know exactly which it is.
PHYSICIAN. He will tell you everything. [To MADHAV] Will you go about and arrange flowers through the room for the King's visit? [Indicating the HEADMAN] We can't have that person in here.
AMAL. No, let him be, Doctor. He is a friend. It was he who brought me the King's letter.
PHYSICIAN. Very well, my child. He may remain if he is a friend of yours.
MADHAV [Whispering into AMAL'S ear] My child, the King loves you. He is coming himself. Beg for a gift from him. You know our humble circumstances.
AMAL. Don't you worry, Uncle.--I've made up my mind about it.
MADHAV. What is it, my child?
AMAL. I shall ask him to make me one of his postmen that I may wander far and wide, delivering his message from door to door.
MADHAV. [Slapping his forehead] Alas, is that all?
AMAL. What'll be our offerings to the King, Uncle, when he comes?
HERALD. He has commanded puffed rice.
AMAL. Puffed rice! Say, Headman, you're right. You said so. You knew all we didn't.
HEADMAN. If you send word to my house then I could manage for the King's advent really nice--
PHYSICIAN. No need at all. Now be quiet all of you. Sleep is coming over him. I'll sit by his pillow; he's dropping into slumber. Blow out the oil-lamp. Only let the star-light stream in. Hush, he slumbers.
MADHAV. [Addressing GAFFER] What are you standing there for like a statue, folding your palms.--I am nervous.--Say, are they good omens? Why are they darkening the room? How will star-light help?
GAFFER. Silence, unbeliever.
[SUDHA enters]
SUDHA. Amal!
PHYSICIAN. He's asleep.
SUDHA. I have some flowers for him. Mayn't I give them into his own hand?
PHYSICIAN. Yes, you may.
SUDHA. When will he be awake?
PHYSICIAN. Directly the King comes and calls him.
SUDHA. Will you whisper a word for me in his ear?
PHYSICIAN. What shall I say?
SUDHA. Tell him Sudha has not forgotten him.
CURTAIN

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