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14 Nothing like this had happened in their experience before, and they were all much amused. The excitement being over, they crowded into the pantry, and found our hero sitting on his haunches, and grinning at the alarm he had caused. They washed him clean, made him change his clothes, and cracked jokes at him, but he still remained puffed up with pride at the consternation he had caused.

Next morning the matter was forgotten; and the attentions the son-in-law received were as usual. His relations by marriage pressed him to remain with them a few days more, but Juggo, disgusted with the night's occurrence, took leave of his friend, and returning home, told Budhi's mother of his folly. His mother was greatly distressed on her son's account, and anxiety for his safe return made her very miserable. She trembled with fear, lest he, having no protector but himself, should run into danger, and finally she made up her mind to go to his father-in-law's house, and bring her darling home, even though, according to the custom of her country, it was not the correct thing to do. She had the most favourable day pointed out to her on the almanac by a Brahmin, and started on her journey. But that journey she was not destined to complete, for having passed over about half the distance she found her son lying dead a little way off from the beaten path. It can be easily conceived what a shock she received at the sight. Wild with grief, she beat her head against the ground, tore her hair, uttered cries of lamentation that rent the air, and sang a dirge of the thousand and one good traits of her son's character.

She was, however, gifted with a strong mind, and so she soon collected herself and began to think of the removal of the body for cremation. She returned home to bring her neighbours to the spot, in order that they might help her to perform the last duties to her son, and in a short time, nothing remained of poor Budhibanta on earth save a heap of ashes.

No one at the time knew the cause of the boy's death. But the narrator of the story by means of later inquiries