‘We will give you our daughter,’ said they, ‘if you can pay a good price for her. Never was there so hard-working a girl; and how we shall do without her we cannot tell! Still no doubt your father and mother will come themselves and bring the dowry?’
‘No; I have the dowry with me,’ replied the young man; laying down a handful of gold pieces. ‘Here it is—take it.’
The old couple’s eyes glittered greedily; but custom forbade them to touch the dowry before all was arranged.
‘At least,’ said they, after a moment’s pause, ‘we may expect them to fetch your wife to her new home?’
‘No; they are not used to travelling,’ answered the bridegroom. ‘Let the ceremony be performed without delay, and we will set forth at once. It is a long journey.’
Then the parents called in the girl, who was lying in the sun outside the hut, and, in the presence of all the village, a goat was killed, the sacred dance took place, and a blessing was said over the heads of the young people. After that the bride was led aside by her father, whose duty it was to bestow on her some parting advice as to her conduct in her married life.
‘Be good to your husband’s parents,’ added he, ‘and always do the will of your husband.’ And the girl nodded her head obediently. Next it was the mother’s turn; and, as was the custom of the tribe, she spoke to her daughter:
‘Will you choose which of your sisters shall go with you to cut your wood and carry your water?’
‘I do not want any of them,’ answered she; ‘they are no use. They will drop the wood and spill the water.’
‘Then will you have any of the other children? There are enough and to spare,’ asked the mother again. But the bride said quickly: