Page:Life and Teachings of Sri Ramanujacharya.djvu/12

 ignorance. I have caught a Tartar and no mistake. ‘Discretion is the bettter part of valor’ and in that better part of it I shall beat a prudent retreat ere I am floored. {Musing). What ! to think that I, Narada Sastri, the highest authority living, nay, for the matter of that, or dead, on everything connected with History, Antiquities and Religion, the member of all the learned Societies in Europe and America, to be cornered by a slip of a boy!! I fear my anger will get the better of me if I stay here any longer and I shall be tempted to do him some mischief. {Aloud, with a wan smile). Very glad to hear of your success. Yon kuow I am ever at your service. But now, are we not robbing ourselves of the sweet sleep that our over-worked brains stand so much in need of? Au revoir. {Exit),

Author. — {Yawning asvfully). A good riddance. Hope I have laboured hard to earn his lasting hatred ; but it is a nice set off against his tiresome visits and peacock airs of patronage. Heigho ! Here remains this precious preface to be written. {Stops suddenly and cries). My gods ! Where have my wits gone to ? Wh', this eternal bore and the hard dressing I gave him ; this is as good as any orthodox preface. And, by the shades of the Orientalists, it shall be one. — {Exit).