My mistress Vasantasenā said to me "Kumbhīlaka, go and tell Chārudatta that I am coming." So here I am, on my way to Chārudatta's house. [_He walks about, and, as he enters, discovers Chārudatta._] Here is Chārudatta in the orchard. And here is that wretched jackanapes, too. Well, I'll go up to them. What! the orchard-gate is shut? Good! I'll give this jackanapes a hint. [_He throws lumps of mud._] _Maitreya._ Well! Who is this pelting me with mud, as if I were an apple-tree inside of a fence? _Chārudatta._ Doubtless the pigeons that play on the roof of the garden-house. _Maitreya._ Wait a minute, you confounded pigeon! With this stick I'll bring you down from the roof to the ground, like an over-ripe mango. [_He raises his stick and starts to run._] P. 136.8] _Chārudatta._ [_Holding him back by the sacred cord._] Sit down, my friend. What do you mean? Leave the poor pigeon alone with his mate. _Kumbhīlaka._ What! he sees the pigeon and doesn't see me? Good! I'll hit him again with another lump of mud. [_He does so._] _Maitreya._ [_Looks about him._] What! Kumbhīlaka? I'll be with you in a minute. [_He approaches and opens the gate._] Well, Kumbhīlaka, come in. I'm glad to see you. _Kumbhīlaka._ [_Enters._] I salute you, sir. _Maitreya._ Where do you come from, man, in this rain and darkness? _Kumbhīlaka._ You see, she's here. _Maitreya._ Who's she? Who's here? _Kumbhīlaka._ She. See? She. _Maitreya._ Look here, you son of a slave! What makes you sigh like a half-starved old beggar in a famine, with your "shesheshe"? _Kumbhīlaka._ And what makes you hoot like an owl with your "whowhowho"? _Maitreya._ All right. Tell me. _Kumbhīlaka._ [_Aside._] Suppose I say it this way. [_Aloud._] I'll give you a riddle, man. _Maitreya._ And I'll give you the answer with my foot on your bald spot. _Kumbhīlaka._ Not till you've guessed it. In what season do the mango-trees blossom? _Maitreya._ In summer, you jackass. _Kumbhīlaka._ [_Laughing._] Wrong! _Maitreya._ [_Aside._] What shall I say now? [_Reflecting._] Good! I'll go and ask Chārudatta. [_Aloud._] Just wait a moment. [_Approaching Chārudatta._] My friend, I just wanted to ask you in what season the mango-trees blossom. [81.3. S. _Chārudatta._ You fool, in spring, in _vasanta._ _Maitreya._ [_Returns to Kumbhīlaka._] You fool, in spring, in _vasanta_. _Kumbhīlaka._ Now I 'll give you another. Who guards thriving villages? _Maitreya._ Why, the guard. _Kumbhīlaka._ [_Laughing._] Wrong! _Maitreya._ Well, I'm stuck. [_Reflecting._] Good! I'll ask Chārudatta again. [_He returns and puts the question to Chārudatta._] _Chārudatta._ The army, my friend, the _senā_. _Maitreya._ [_Comes back to Kumbhīlaka._] The army, you jackass, the _senā_. _Kumbhīlaka._ Now put the two together and say 'em fast. _Maitreya._ Senā-vasanta. _Kumbhīlaka._ Say it turned around. _Maitreya._ [_Turns around._] Senā-vasanta. _Kumbhīlaka._ You fool! you jackanapes! Turn the parts of the thing around!