SUPERINTENDENT [entering].—Ho, there, Súchaka! set the fisherman at liberty, I tell you. His story about the ring is all correct.
SÚCHAKA.—Oh! very good, sir; as you please.
SECOND CONSTABLE.—The fellow had one foot in hell, and now here he is in the land of the living. [Releases him.
FISHERMAN [bowing to the Superintendent].—Now, master, what think you of my way of getting a livelihood?
SUPERINTENDENT.—Here, my good man, the King desired me to present you with this purse. It contains a sum of money equal to the full value of the ring.
[Gives him the money.
FISHERMAN [taking it and bowing].—His Majesty does me too great honor.
SÚCHAKA.—You may well say so. He might as well have taken you from the gallows to seat you on his state elephant.
JÁNUKA.—Master, the King must value the ring very highly, or he would never have sent such a sum of money to this ragamuffin.
SUPERINTENDENT.—I don't think he prizes it as a costly jewel so much as a memorial of some person he tenderly loves. The moment it was shown to him he became much agitated, though in general he conceals his feelings.
SÚCHAKA.—Then you must have done a great service———