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16 When she heard this Pûrnâ was charmed, and so in the evening she brought Lakshmi to her own house as the meeting place with Mohana. When it came to the point, Mohana was prevented from coming by an accident, and Lakshmî, who was anticipating some amusement, said : "Well! if Mohana can't come, you had better invite some one else." So Pûrnâ did as she was asked, and by some blunder or other brought Lakshmî her own husband as a visitor." The parrot continued: "Here was a pretty state of things; what do you suppose her husband did, and what do you suppose she did?"

Prabhâvatî and her friends replied: "We haven't the slightest idea; pray tell us what happened."

"Certainly," answered the parrot, "I shall be delighted to tell you, if you will wait here for a while."

They gladly assented, and after some time had passed, the parrot finished the story: "Lakshmî at once recognized her husband, and saying, 'Hullo! so it is you, is it? You have come back unexpectedly, have you?' seized him by his hair, and dragged him about saying, 'You scoundrel! You are always telling me that the only woman in the world you care for is your wife. Now I have found you out, and I will make you sorry for it.' Well,