The World of Courtesans c10.198

c10.198

He proceeds a little further and meets a man who is in tattered clothes. He resembles a ghost. He is no other than a pimp whom the Vita had seen in the house of his friends. The man says: "Gupta has ordered me to proceed on a private errand. He is ready to pay five *panas* but it is doubtful whether a courtesan will be satisfied with such a paltry advance. If I could find out a courtesan in the lane I shall certainly hand over the advance money to her. But at this time courtesans are so fully engaged that they behave like housewives and refuse even to talk of love. If I convey this unpleasant news to my master he will instantly punish me. Every rich man bears the same kind of character."