Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 4 1886.djvu/189

Rh man, were you sent in search of wealth?" asked the Bodhisat. "By the wife, sir." "Is your wife young or old?" "Young, learned sir." "Well, then, she has misconducted herself with a certain person, and in order to be in no fear of your finding out her fault she sent you away. If you take home your wealth she will give to her lover the money you have so painfully earned: so don't go straight home, but outside the village somewhere, at the root of a tree, hide your money, and then in the evening return home."

Having given him this advice he dismissed him. The brâhman did as he was bidden. On reaching home his wife and her lover were at that moment sitting together. The brâhman, standing at the door, called out—"Wife!" She, recognising the sound of his voice, put out the light and opened the door. As soon as her husband entered she put her paramour outside the door. Not seeing anything in the bag, she asked the brâhman if he had not received aught while away on his round for alms. He told her that he had got a thousand pieces. "Where are they?" she asked. "I have put them in a certain place, and early to-morrow morning I will bring them here: so don't be in any anxiety about the matter."

On hearing this she went out and told her lover, and he set off and found all the money just where it had been placed. The next day the brâhman, finding that his money had gone, went and informed the Bodhisat. "Well, brâhman, what is it?" "I can't find my money, learned sir." "Perhaps you told your wife!" "I did, learned sir." When the Bodhisat became aware that the wife's paramour knew where the money was he said, "Perhaps you know a brâhman who is an intimate friend of your wife's family?" "I do, learned sir."

Then the Bodhisat gave him provisions for seven days, saying, "Go! On the first day invite fourteen brâhmans, of whom seven are thy wife's friends and seven thine, and entertain them. Begin next day to dismiss them, one by one each day; then, on the seventh day, invite two brâhmans, of whom one is your wife's friend and another yours, and as soon as you are sure of the arrival of your wife's friend (i.e., the young lover) let me know."

The brâhman did as he was told, and as soon as the Bodhisat knew