Page:Tales from the Indian Epics.djvu/22

16 coming and would beg for her earrings. Swiftly she made herself invisible, so that when Uttanka entered her room he could not see her. After searching in vain for the queen, the boy went back to the central hall, and said, "My Lord King, you have deceived me. I went to the queen's chamber, but I did not find her."

"Fair youth," replied King Paushya, "the queen could not have hidden herself had you been wholly pure. You must, therefore, have neglected to wash your hands after your last meal."

"No, my Lord King," said Uttanka; "I washed my hands when last I ate. But I was in haste and washed them as I walked."

"Fair youth," said King Paushya, "it is a sin to wash one's hands as one walks. You are impure, and therefore the queen hid herself from you. For she is a chaste and faultless lady, and she will not shew herself to one who is not wholly pure."

Uttanka left the palace, and going to a fountain sat on the ground with his face to the East. He washed his hands and feet and bathed his face. He sipped water three times. He then wiped his face twice and touched his eyes and ears with water. Then once more he entered the queen's apartment. This time the queen did not hide herself. Pleased with the care with which Uttanka had purified himself, she saluted him courteously and said, "Welcome, reverend Sir; tell me what you wish done and I will do it for you."

"Noble Queen," said Uttanka, "I pray you to give me your earrings. I wish to give them as pupil's fee to my preceptor."

The queen took off her earrings and handed them to Uttanka. And as Uttanka took them he marvelled