Page:Tales of the Punjab.pdf/176

154 servant, 'your wits are wool-gathering!What's the matter?'

'Don't! please don't!' cried Bhagtu; 'I wish the wouldn't ask me, for I am trying to forget all about it.It is too dreadfultoo too terrible!'

At last, however, yielding to the maid's entreaties, he replied, with many sobs and tears

'How very sad!' exclaimed the maidservant.'I don't wonder at your distress; but it is always so in this miserable world!everything goes wrong!'

Whereupon she fell to railing at everybody and everything in the world, until the Queen said to her, 'What is the matter, my child?What distress you?

'Oh!' replied the maidservant, 'old story! every one is miserable, and I most of all!Such dreadful news!