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300
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
(NOVEMBER, 1896.
and made them sit down, and gave them betel-leaves and betel nuts, etc., and in this manner showed them respect. Afterwards he told them :-"Sirs, I have intended to celebrate the marriage of my nephew Sayana Beidya. You must help me that it may be done decently.
I have made everything ready according to my poor circumstances. You must help that all may be decently done."
Then they asked him :-"When have you fixed the day for the marriage ?" " How can I fix the day without consulting you P"
Then they asked him :-"Do you wish to fix the day soon ? Have you made everything rendy?"
He replied :-"I have made some things ready. The Ballal of Parmale has promised to supply whatever is wanting Fix the day first, and afterwards we shall speak of other things."
Then the devil-prists consulted among themselves, and said to Sama Alwa:-“You must have the marriage celebrated on the ninth day of next month. It is an auspicious day."
Sama Aļwa consented and said "By that day I will have everything ready." Then the priests asked him :-"For what number of persons are you preparing the feast ?" “For eight hundred persons," replied he ; and asked them :-“Will that be enough ?” They replied :-" It is according to your ability. We will not constrain you." So saying, they dispersed and returned to their homes.
Then Sama Alwa said to his nephew, Sayana : -" Sayana, the day for the marriage is postponed. What can we do? Everything takes place according to fate. Nothing occurs till the time for it arrives.”
Then Sayana said to his uncle: - "The bride is already found. It is not necessary to go in search of a bride. Therefore, we can well afford to wait. But when I think of the expense, I feel very anxious. It will be necessary to invite a man from every house in the town."
At this, the uncle said :- "Be not anxious about expense. If the things which we have prepared do not suffice, the Balla! will supply us whatever we want, as he has promised to do."
"It is true he will supply us now," said the nephew, "but we will have to return it to him afterwards. We are happy when we borrow, but it is very difficult to return what is borrowed afterwards."
As they were thus sponking, Sama Aļwa's sister came and said: "What is this? Yon, uncle and nephew, are talking idly. Are all the necessary things ready ?"
They answered :-"Yes, everything is ready."
So days went on, and the day appointed for the marriage came near. Then Sama Alwa one day went to the devil-priests of the town, and said to them: "O Beidyas, the day appointed for the marriage is come near."
“How many days hence will it take place ?” asked they "After three days," said he. “How many persons are you going to invite to the marriage-feast ?” asked they. “One person from each house," said he.
Yes, that is right," said they : "if you invite one person from each house, you will get one load from every house, and it will not be necessary for you to buy vegetables, etc."
When he had finished talking with them he said :-"Now, it is getting late, therefore, I will go."
