‘No! you mustn't say that. If you want to leave her your property, it is all right, but as for enjoyment——’
‘What harm if she does enjoy herself, Mashi?’
‘No, no, it will be impossible. Her throat will become parched, and it will be dust and ashes to her.’
Jotin remained silent. He could not decide whether it was true or not, and whether it was a matter of regret or otherwise, that the world would become distasteful to Mani for want of him. The stars seemed to whisper in his heart:
‘Indeed it is true. We have been watching for thousands of years, and know that all these great preparations for enjoyment are but vanity.’
Jotin sighed and said: ‘We cannot leave behind us what is really worth giving.’
‘It's no trifle you are giving, dearest. I only pray she may have the power to know the value of what is given her.’
‘Give me a little more of that pomegranate juice, Mashi, I'm thirsty. Did Mani come to me yesterday, I wonder?’