பக்கம்:ஓர் விருந்து அல்லது சபாபதி.pdf/12

8

சபாபதி

Re-enter Sabapathy with ‘Punch’ paper.

	S. M.	Did I not tell your honour that this chap will make a mistake?
	F.	What is the matter? Hulloa! He has brought Punch paper! that beats me! I did not think of it. Does not matter. Get me some iced soda please.
	S. M.	Yes your honour! அடே சபாபதி! ice soda கொண்டு வா. பத்திரம் தட்டிலே வைச்சி கொண்டுவா. மறந்து பூடாதே நான் சொன்னதே! (Sabapathy goes).
	F.	I say, who is that gentleman with the laced shawl?
	S. M.	That is Mr. Tirunavukkarasu Mudaliar, a big Tamil compositor. He does not know English that is the reason why I don’t want to introduce him.
	F.	Tamil compositor?
	S. M.	Yes, your honour. He would compose, hundred Tamil poems in one hour, if required.
	F.	You mean he is a poet—I say, the gentleman by his side, is he not Venkatasawmy the big merchant?
	S. M.	Yes, he was a big merchant before, now he has become a contrator. I don't want to introduce him to your honour.
	F.	Why? What is the matter? What is wrong in a man doing contract business?
	S. M.	No. Contract business / He only contracts debts now.
	F.	I see! By the bye, how is your father-in-law, Sabapathi?
	S. M.	He is still suffering from his old complaint—liabilities.
	F.	You mean diabetes.
	S. M.	Yes your Honour. Some how or other I confuse these words.
	F.	You may be right. One leads to the other occasionally.

(Sabapathi brings some iced soda water in a tray.)