Page:Tales of the Punjab.pdf/132

'Of course!' cried the jackal, pretending to tremble with fright; 'yes! I was in the cage—no, I wasn't—dear! dear! where are my mits?Let me see— the tiger was in the Brâhman, and the cage came walking by——no, that's not it either!Well, don't mind me, but begin your dinner, for I shall never understand!'

'Yes, you shall!' returned the tiger, in the rage at the jackal's stupidity; 'I'll make you understand! Look here—I am the tiger——

Yes, my lord!'
'And that is the Brâhman——'
'Yes, my lord!'
'And that is the cage——'
'Yes my lord!'
'And I was in the cage—do you understand?'
'Yes—no— Please, my lord——'
'Well?' cried the tiger, impatiently.
'Please, my lord!—how did you get in?'
'How!—why, in the usual way, of course!'

'Oh dear me!—my head is beginning to whirl again!Please don't be angry, my lord, but what is the usual way?'

At this the tiger lost patience, and, jumping into the cage, cried, 'This way!Now do you understand how it was?'

'Perfectly!' grinned the jackal, as he dexterously shut the door; 'and if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were!'