SUDARSHANA.
Would that Surangama were here! There would remain no room for doubt then.
ROHINI.
Do you think her cleverer than any of us?
SUDARSHANA.
Oh no, but she would recognise him instantly.
ROHINI.
I cannot believe that she would. She merely pretends to know him. There is none to test her knowledge if she professes to know the King. If we were as shameless as she is, it would not have been difficult for us to boast about our acquaintance with the King.
SUDARSHANA.
But no, she never boasts.
ROHINI .
It is pure affectation, the whole of it: which often goes a longer way than open boasting. She is up to all manner of tricks: that is why we could never like her.
SUDARSHANA.
But whatever you may say, I should have liked to ask her if she were here.
ROHINI.
Very well, Queen. I shall bring her here. She must be lucky if she is indispensable for the Queen to know the King.
SUDARSHANA.
Oh no—it isn’t for that—but I would like to hear it said by every one.
ROHINI.
Is not every one saying it? Why, just listen, the aeclamations of the people mount up even to this height!