HUSBAND.--How thoughtlessly you do talk! What! is a devotion like that to suit _me_--a layman if ever there was one? WIFE.--I won't tolerate any devotion that cannot be performed at home. HUSBAND.--Well, I never! You _are_ one for talking at random. Hang it! what devotion shall it be? [_He reflects a few moments._] Ah! I have it! I will perform the devotion of abstraction. WIFE.--Abstraction? What is that? HUSBAND.--Your want of familiarity with the term is but natural. It is a devotion that was practised in days of old by Saint Daruma[172]--(blessings on him!) you put your head under what is called the "abstraction blanket," and obtain salvation by forgetting all things past and to come--a most difficult form of devotion. WIFE.--About how long does it take? HUSBAND.--Well, I should say about a week or two. WIFE.--That won't do, either, if it is to last so many days. HUSBAND.--Then for how long would my darling consent to it without complaining? WIFE.--About one hour is what I should suggest; but, however, if you can do it in a day, you are welcome to try. HUSBAND.--Never, never! This important devotion is not a thing to be so easily performed within the limits of a single day. Please, won't you grant me leave for at least a day and a night? WIFE.--A day and a night? HUSBAND.--Yes. WIFE.--I don't much relish the idea; but if you are so completely bent upon it, take a day and a night for your devotion. HUSBAND.--Really and truly? WIFE.--Really and truly. HUSBAND.--Oh! that is indeed too delightful! But I have something to tell you: know then, that if a woman so much as peep through a chink, to say nothing of her coming into the actual room where the devotee is sitting, the spell of the devotion is instantly broken. So be sure not to come to where I am. WIFE.--All right. I will not come to you. So perform away. HUSBAND.--Well, then, we will meet again after it shall have been happily accomplished. WIFE.--I shall have the pleasure of seeing you when it is over. HUSBAND AND WIFE.--Good-by! good-by! [_She moves away._ HUSBAND.--I say! WIFE.--What is it? HUSBAND.--As I mentioned before, mind you don't come to me. We have the Buddhist's warning words: "When there is a row in the kitchen, to be rapt in abstraction is an impossibility."[173] So whatever you do, do not come to me. WIFE.--Please feel no uneasiness. I shall not think of intruding. HUSBAND.--Well, then, we shall meet again when the devotion is over. WIFE.--When it is done, I shall have the pleasure of seeing you. HUSBAND AND WIFE.--Good-by! Good-by! HUSBAND [_laughing_].--What fools women are, to be sure! To think of the delight of her taking it all for truth, when I tell her that I am going to perform the religious devotion of abstraction for one whole day and night! Taraukuwazhiya, are you there? halloo? SERVANT.--Yes, sir! HUSBAND.--Are you there? SERVANT.--At your service. HUSBAND.--Oh! you have been quick in coming.