Page:Folk-lore of the Telugus.djvu/20

12 To which the patient replied:—"I am very much troubled with a virulent attack of fever."

The deaf man, not understanding what he said, thought that he was answering according to the plan he had settled beforehand, and responded:—"Very good: I hope God will keep you so!"

The patient, who was already peevish with the disease, was made more so by this speech of his deaf companion. The latter next asked what his diet was, and was told that it was the dust of the earth!

"May it do you much good," said he! "and pray, my good friend, which doctor attends you"?

The sick merchant, boiling with wrath cried:—"Doctor? Death himself."

"Very well, may God speed his medicines!" said the deaf companion, and returned home.