Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 2, 1891.djvu/522

466 which is walked on." Atapu ran off to bring cold food, ripe bananas. They ate, and then Atapu said to the ladies: "Do you recline while I go to cook some food, for I am all alone." He then went off to prepare food. He prepared it nicely with delight. Then he brought it and addressed his word to those in the house: "Tuloutulon! awake, and take some food."

The women said, "Come here, you are wearied; I am sorry for you." They also said to him, "Atapu, when tomorrow comes we will give you our occupation, that you may engage in it." On the morrow they explained to him what he must do: "When kava is served out, your kava must be first, to bring success to your occupation," Then Atapu went to tattoo. The kava was served out, and Atapu asked them to bring a pair of water-bottles to him. They brought the water-bottles. They dealt out the kava, Atapu's was first. They brought it to him; he did not drink it, but poured it into one of the bottles. They also brought him cold food, Atapu told them to put it into a basket; but he did not eat nor drink until the tattooing was finished, as he intended to take the food to the ladies who had given him orders. When he finished tattooing, they brought more kava; Atapu's was first. He put it into the other bottle. Then they brought food and native property. Atapu did not eat, for he meant it all for the ladies.

He went inland [and found] the ladies were seated each one by a post in the doorway of the house. They said, "You have rested from work." He replied, "You are wishing success." They said, "Come and tell us how you did your work." He answered, "I went, and they prepared the morning kava. My kava was first, and I poured it into a bottle; and this cold food I did not eat, but kept it to bring to you two. Then I tattooed. When it was done they again prepared kava, and my cup was first; and I poured it into the second bottle; also I did not eat the food until we should all eat together," Great