Sock-Nuzzling Coward
Ms Mukta is veryimpressed by the gaoler’s power over the public footservant, as he orders him to pay homage to her sock:
‘Extol the virtues of the customer-mistress’s sock while you are lickshining her shoe, dirty slave, or you’ll be feeling the biting sting of my whip on your back again!’
‘Yes, master sir. At once master sir! Please don’t beat me, master!... Oh pray, customer-mistress’s sock, if it pleases you most beautiful customer-mistress’s sock, truly this slave is enamoured by your own great beauty, customer-mistress’s sock, with your deep blue cotton furrows and creases, and your pretty pink heart logos, oh wondrous female sock! Oh pray, sock! Oh pray! Pray permit this dirty slave to nuzzle your stitching, mistress the sock, if I may be so bold, mistress sock? Please don’t have me beaten, mistress the sock!’
‘Ha! Ha! Do you hear, madam? Do you hear how my slave yearns to nuzzle your sock? Such is the power of my whip, madam. No slave can withstand its sting!’
‘Ha! Ha! I’m very impressed, gaoler! Congratulations on reducing your prisoner to a shoe-licking and sock-nuzzling coward!’
‘Why thank you, madam! God bless you, madam!’