The Little Clay Cart Part 12

You that shake with fear and s.h.i.+ver.

All a-tremble, all a-quiver; You that cannot trip enough.

On the level ground and rough; You that stain your social station, Family, and reputation! 4

_Gambler._ [_Examining the footprints._] Here he goes. And here the tracks are lost.

_Mathura._ [_Gazes at the footprints. Reflectively._] Look! The feet are turned around. And the temple hasn't any image. [_After a moment's thought._] That rogue of a shampooer has gone into the temple with his feet turned around.

_Gambler._ Let's follow him.

_Mathura._ All right. [_They enter the temple and take a good look, then make signs to each other._]

_Gambler._ What! a wooden image?

_Mathura._ Of course not. It's stone. [_He shakes it with all his might, then makes signs._] What do we care? Come, let's have a game. [_He starts to gamble as hard as he can._]

_Shampooer._ [_Trying with all his might to repress the gambling fever. Aside._] Oh, oh!

Oh, the rattle of dice is a charming thing, When you haven't a copper left; It works like a drum on the heart of a king, Of all his realm bereft. 5

For gamblers leap down a mountain steep-- I know I shall not play.

Yet the rattle of dice is as sweet as the peep Of nightingales in May. 6

_Gambler._ My turn, my turn!

P. 56.10]

_Mathura._ Not much! it's my turn.

_Shampooer._ [_Coming up quickly from behind._] Isn't it _my_ turn?

_Gambler._ We've got our man.

_Mathura._ [_Seizing him._] You jail-bird, you're caught. Pay me my ten gold-pieces.

_Shampooer._ I'll pay you this very day.

_Mathura._ Pay me this very minute!

_Shampooer._ I'll pay you. Only have mercy!

_Mathura._ Come, will you pay me now?

_Shampooer._ My head is getting dizzy. [_He falls to the ground. The others beat him with all their might._]

_Mathura._ There [_drawing the gamblers ring_] you're bound by the gamblers' ring.

_Shampooer._ [_Rises. Despairingly._] What! bound by the gamblers'

ring? Confound it! That is a limit which we gamblers can't pa.s.s.

Where can I get the money to pay him?

_Mathura._ Well then, you must give surety.

_Shampooer._ I have an idea. [_He nudges the gambler._] I'll give you half, if you'll forgive me the other half.

_Gambler._ All right.

_Shampooer._ [_To Mathura._] I'll give you surety for a half. You might forgive me the other half.

_Mathura._ All right. Where's the harm?

_Shampooer._ [_Aloud._] You forgave me a half, sir?

[31.24. S.

_Mathura._ Yes.

_Shampooer._ [_To the gambler._] And you forgave me a half?

_Gambler._ Yes.

_Shampooer._ Then I think I'll be going.

_Mathura._ Pay me my ten gold-pieces! Where are you going?

_Shampooer._ Look at this, gentlemen, look at this! Here I just gave surety to one of them for a half, and the other forgave me a half.

And even after that he is dunning me, poor helpless me!

_Mathura._ [_Seizing him._] My name is Mathura, the clever swindler, and you're not going to swindle me this time. Pay up, jail-bird, every bit of my money, and this minute, too.

_Shampooer._ How can I pay?

_Mathura._ Sell your father and pay.

_Shampooer._ Where can I get a father?

_Mathura._ Sell your mother and pay.

_Shampooer._ Where can I get a mother?

_Mathura._ Sell yourself and pay.

_Shampooer._ Have mercy! Lead me to the king's highway.

_Mathura._ Go ahead.

_Shampooer._ If it must be. [_He walks about._] Gentlemen, will you buy me for ten gold-pieces from this gambling-master? [_He sees a pa.s.ser-by and calls out._] What is that? You wish to know what I can do? I will be your house-servant. What! he has gone without even answering. Well, here's another. I'll speak to him. [_He repeats his offer._] What! this one too takes no notice of me. He is gone. Confound it! I've had hard luck ever since Charudatta lost his fortune.

_Mathura._ Will you pay?