Page:The Enchanted Parrot.djvu/49

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THE ENCHANTED PARROT
45


Sringâravatî and Subhagâ. They were both ladies of a very amorous disposition, and were continually engaged in flirtations with one admirer or another, which they were mutually careful to conceal from their husband. One day Subhagâ was entertaining a lover in the house when her husband appeared outside, carrying a shrub in his hand which he had dug up. Here was a pretty state of things; what was to be done ! Sringâravatî's readiness, however, did not fail her, and after having stripped off most of Subhagâ's clothes, turned her out of doors. Her husband came up and seeing Subhagâ, in this condition said: " And pray, what is the meaning of this." " The truth is," answered Sringâravatî, " Subhagâ saw you coming in carrying that shrub in your hand, and directly she saw it she went mad, tore off her clothes, and ran out of doors. Do go and put it back again in the place from which you took it. Perhaps if you do she may recover her wits." The stupid man did as he was asked, and directly his back was turned they let the lover out of the house.