'There is no need to use your charm, vederala,' said Karlinahami, 'if you want one for yourself.'
'There is only one unmarried woman in the village now,' said the vederala, 'and she is Silindu's daughter.'
An uncomfortable silence fell upon the listeners. Karlinahami and Babun looked at Silindu, who remained silent, his eyes fixed upon the ground. The vederala's intentions were very clear, and the point of his previous stories very obvious now. Punchirala turned to Karlinahami:
'I was thinking but yesterday that it is time that the girl was given in marriage. Babun here has taken her twin sister, and it is wrong that a woman should live alone.'
'It is not for me to give the girl. She is her father's daughter.'
Silindu's face showed his distress. The vederala was a dangerous man to offend, but too much was being asked of him. He began in a low voice:
'The girl is too young; she has not flowered yet.'
Punchirala laughed.
'Did you bring the girl up or only filth, as the saying is? They are called twins, but the one has been married a year and the other has not flowered yet!'
'Vederala! I would give the girl, but she is unwilling. She told me last night that you had spoken to her. She is of the jungle, wild, not fit for your house. She was very frightened and angry.'