"To-morrow we will seek the King." More he would not say, but sat in the
dusky gloom of the coming evening, smoking.
Nicomar, with the great weight of his troubles somewhat lightened, slept
heavily.
* * * * *
On the morning of the fourteenth day Nicomar prostrated himself before
his master.
"Well," asked the King, "come you to claim your reward?"
The Indian bowed his head in grave deferential assent.
"And so you have obeyed my order?"
"I but wait for your Majesty to perform your part first, then I will
without delay do my share."
The King hastened to ask the meaning of such an answer.
"Your Majesty commanded me," replied the Indian, "to fill up the sea
with milk, which I am quite ready to do; but your Majesty did not
command me to take the water from the ocean, and until that is done it
is impossible to fill it anew. If your Majesty," continued Nicomar,
"will but dispose of the water----." Then he paused timidly, waiting the
King's response. He had done as the Burman had instructed him, and he
feared the result.
For a long while there was silence, and those round about trembled with
apprehension, for they guessed not in what wise their master would take
such a reply.
At last he smiled, for although he had many grave faults, he was not
unkindly or averse to owning himself baffled.