Page:Tales of the Punjab.pdf/61

Rh that case,' he said, 'we had better begin now, and have a fair start.' So without more ado they squatted down on the floor, with the brass pot full of khichri between them, and began to eat as fast as they could.

'Remember to leave some for the bear, wife,' said the woodman, speaking with his mouth crammed full.

'Certainly, certainly,' she replied, helping herself to another handful.

'My dear,' cried the old woman in her turn, with her mouth so full that she could hardly speak, 'remember the poor bear!'

'Certainly, certainly, my love!' returned the old man, taking another mouthful.

So it went on, till there was not a single grain left in the pot.

'What's to be done now?' said the wooden; 'it is all your fault, wife, for cating so much.'

'My fault!' retorted his wife scornfully,' why, you ate twice as much as I did!'

'No, I didn't!'

'Yes, you did!men always cat more than women.'

'No, they don't!'

'Yes, they do!'

'Well, it's no use quarrelling about it now,' said the woodman, 'the khichri's gone, and the bear will be furious.'

'That wouldn't matter much if we could get the wood,' said the greedy old woman. 'I'll tell you what we must do,we must loch up everything there is to eat in the house, leave the khichri pot by the fire and hide in the garret. When the bear comes he will