Page:Malabari, Behramji M. - Gujarat and the Gujaratis (1882).djvu/246

230 The marriage is held good only in case of one of the births being a boy, the other a girl. And in this case neither disease nor deformity, nor any physical inadaptability stands in the way of the validity of the marriage contract. Who will say, after this, that the Hindu mind is not saturated with a sense of rich and grotesque humour? Of this marriage in embryo and its results, I have culled an account from several curious manuscripts, in prose and verse, that came in my way during my travels. Many of the quaint incidents recorded in my idyl were witnessed by myself personally or by Hindu friends who have gone through the harrowing experiences.

Motichand Zaver and Kastur Pitamber were merchant princes. They were castemen, neighbours, and friends; each was called the very "nose" of Ahmedábád society. Mrs. Moti and Mrs. Kastur were also sisters. Many a friendly chat had the two Sheths together, chewing pán supári and congratulating each other on the success of the week's "operations." Many also