“Noble persons, I have bidden the Exalted One for tomorrow’s meal, and he comes—he comes!”
And they halted amazed, and said:
“Sell us the honour of his company for great weights of gold.”
And she, glowing with joy.
“Noble persons, were you to give me Vaisali and all its subject territories yet would I not give up this honourable meal.”
And the angry nobles cast up their hands, crying.
“We are outdone by this mango-girl! We are out-reached by this mango-girl.”
And in anger they proceeded to the garden and went in before the Lord where he sat surrounded with calm, and they said:
“May the Exalted One do us the honour of taking his meal together with his disciples at one house to-morrow?”
But he replied: