122 ir; THE VISION OF GOD
Bameharaadas. He did not care to notice the pallor and
Despair on "his visage. The sadha's next object of attraction
was Kamcharandas1 red and lustrous shawl on which he
gazed with a steady and intent stare. Ramcharandas was
not slow to understand. He knew what was coming. He
thought it fit to surrender up the shawl before the sadhn
usked for it. Instantly unwinding it off his body, Eam-
eharandas, like a good and obedient boy, placed the sliawl
in front of the sadhn.
The sadhn appreciated Ramcharandas' power of insight.
The sliavl met the good fortune of gracing the other
shoulder oi the Sttdkifs chela. The distraction <»f the
moment had made Bamcharandas drop down the japa mala
of shining black "beads near his asan, and it became the
sadhn's next object of interest. It must be said here to the
sadhn's credit that he was a man of taste—nay, he was a
consummate artist.
Without ceremony—there was none necessary—the
sadhn took the japa mala from the floor and spread it ont
with both hands. A. moment more, and it was round his
neck, hanging gracefully on his broad chest. With a vide
grin he looked at himself self-complacently and felt
happy.
Xo\v the third and crowning act of the drama.
ACT III
Ramcharandas had promised the sadhn four annas. It
was time to call for it. Being reminded by him of it Eam-
charandas said:
"Maharaj, the money is in the keeping of a mother
•who lives about a fnrlong from here. I have to obtain it
from her."
"No fear," replied the sadhu encouragingly; "you
may go and fetch it. I can afford to wait here until you
return. I don't at all rnind the trouble. Do go at once, my
boy."