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 win- dow? 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.