Karma, what do they do?"

"Gunga has prayed for a vengeance on the bridgebuilders, and Kali is
with her. Now she bids Hanuman whelm the bridge, that her honour
may be made great," cried the Parrot. "I waited here, knowing that
thou wouldst come, O my master!"

"And the Heavenly Ones said nothing? Did Gunga and the Mother of
Sorrows out-talk them? Did none speak for my people?"

"Nay," said Ganesh, moving uneasily from foot to foot; "I said it
was but dirt at play, and why should we stamp it flat?"

"I was content to let them toil - well content," said Hanuman.

"What had I to do with Gunga's anger "said the Bull.

"I am Bhairon of the Common Folk, and this my staff is Kotwal of
all Kashi. I spoke for the Common People."

"Thou?" The young God's eyes sparkled.

"Am I not the first of the Gods in their mouths today?" returned
Bhairon, unabashed. "For the sake of the Common People I said very
many wise things which I have now forgotten, but this my staff -"

Krishna turned impatiently, saw the Mugger at his feet, and kneeling,
slipped an arm round the cold neck. "Mother," he said gently, "get
thee to thy flood again. This matter is not for thee. What harm
shall thy honour take of this live dirt? Thou hast given them their