_Maitreya._ [_Looks about him._] What! Kumbhilaka? I'll be with you in a minute. [_He approaches and opens the gate._] Well, Kumbhilaka, come in. I'm glad to see you.
_Kumbhilaka._ [_Enters._] I salute you, sir.
_Maitreya._ Where do you come from, man, in this rain and darkness?
_Maitreya._ Look here, you son of a slave! What makes you sigh like a half-starved old beggar in a famine, with your "shesheshe"?
_Kumbhilaka._ And what makes you hoot like an owl with your "whowhowho"?
_Kumbhilaka._ [_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.
_Kumbhilaka._ Not till you've guessed it. In what season do the mango-trees blossom?
_Maitreya._ [_Aside._] What shall I say now? [_Reflecting._] Good! I'll go and ask Charudatta. [_Aloud._] Just wait a moment. [_Approaching Charudatta._] My friend, I just wanted to ask you in what season the mango-trees blossom.
_Charudatta._ You fool, in spring, in _vasanta._
_Maitreya._ [_Returns to Kumbhilaka._] You fool, in spring, in _vasanta_.
_Kumbhilaka._ Now I 'll give you another. Who guards thriving villages?
_Maitreya._ Well, I'm stuck. [_Reflecting._] Good! I'll ask Charudatta again. [_He returns and puts the question to Charudatta._]
_Charudatta._ The army, my friend, the _sena_.
_Maitreya._ [_Comes back to Kumbhilaka._] The army, you jackass, the _sena_.
_Kumbhilaka._ Now put the two together and say 'em fast.
_Maitreya._ [_Turns around._] Sena-vasanta.
_Kumbhilaka._ You fool! you jackanapes! Turn the parts of the thing around!
_Maitreya._ [_Turns his feet around._] Sena-vasanta.
_Kumbhilaka._ You fool! Turn the parts of the word around!
_Maitreya._ [_After reflection._] Vasanta-sena.
_Maitreya._ Then I must tell Charudatta. [_Approaching._] Well, Charudatta, your creditor is here.
_Charudatta._ How should a creditor come into my family?
_Maitreya._ Not in the family perhaps, but at the door. Vasantasena is here.
_Charudatta._ Why do you deceive me, my friend?
_Maitreya._ If you can't trust me, then ask Kumbhilaka here. Kumbhilaka, you jackass, come here.
_Kumbhilaka._ [_Approaching._] I salute you, sir.
_Charudatta._ You are welcome, my good fellow. Tell me, is Vasantasena really here?