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?