Phakirs Mother. You need not now believe, my lord, till I have performed the cure. Many an old woman knows secrets with which wise men are unacquainted.
Rajah. Very well, let me see what you can do. In what time will you perform the cure?
Phakir's Mother. It is impossible to fix the time at present; but I will begin work immediately with your lordship's assistance.
Rajah. What help do you require from me?
Phakir's Mother. Your lordship will please order a hut to be raised on the embankment of the tank where your son first caught the disease. I mean to live in that hut for a few days. And your lordship will also please order some of your servants to be in attendance at a distance of about a hundred yards from the hut, so that they might be within call.
Rajah. Very well; I will order that to be immediately done. Do you want anything else?
Phakir's Mother. Nothing else, my lord, in the way of preparations. But it is as well to remind your lordship of the conditions on which I undertake the cure. Your lordship has promised to give to the performer of the cure the hand of your daughter and half your kingdom. As I am a woman and cannot marry your daughter, I beg that, in case I perform the cure, my son Phakir Chand may marry your daughter and take possession of half your kingdom.
Rajah. Agreed, agreed.
A temporary hut was in a few hours erected
25
