Note 58 — 4

When they reached the yard of Aponībalagen, “Good morning, Nephew.” “Good morning, Aunt,” he said to her. “Come up.” Not long after she went up the stairs. “What are you coming here for, Aunt?” “What are you coming here for? you say. I come because I wish to see you.” Not long after he went to get basi, and he had made her drink. When they had drunk, she said, “The other reason I came here, Nephew Aponībalagen, is that Aponītolau sent me, for he wishes to marry your sister.” “I have no sister. I do not know what my mother did with her,” he replied. “We have no daughter. Aponībalagen is our only child,” said Ebang. While they were still talking they kept on drinking the basi. When the old woman Langa-an became drunk she told them that Aponībolinayen was Page 56in Kadalayapan, and Aponībalagen was surprised and his heart jumped. “I went to hide Aponībolinayen in Lisnáyan so that no one would see her, but now someone has found her.” So Langa-an gave them the engagement present58 and she asked how much they must pay as the marriage price. “You must fill the balaua nine times,” they answered. So Langa-an filled the balaua nine times with different kinds of valuable things. As soon as she had paid the marriage price she went back home. When she arrived in Kadalayapan and reached the top of the ladder of the house she laid down and slept, for she was drunk. “How strange you act, mother. Why don't you tell us the news before you sleep?” said Aponītolau, and she said, “The engagement and marriage gifts were accepted.”