ts can get out of it by
marrying her to an old man, whether he is already married or not, the
parents bearing all the expenses, while the husband gives two to four
annas as a nominal contribution. After the marriage the old man can
either keep the girl as his wife or divorce her for a further nominal
payment of eight annas to a rupee. She then becomes a widow and can
marry again, while her parents will get ten or twenty rupees for her.

The boy's father makes the proposal for the marriage according to
the following curious formula. Taking some fried grain he goes to the
house of the father of the bride and addresses him as follows in the
presence of the neighbours and the relatives of both parties: "I hear
that the tree has budded and a blossom has come out; I intend to pluck
it." To which the girl's father replies: "The flower is delicate; it is
in the midst of an ocean and very difficult to approach: how will you
pluck it?" To which the reply is: 'I shall bring ships and _dongas_
(boats) and ply them in the ocean and fetch the flower.' And again:
"If you do pluck it, can you support it? Many difficulties may stand in
the way, and the flower may wither or get lost; will it be possible for
you to steer the flower's boat in the ocean of time, as long as it is
destined to be in this world?" To which the answer is: 'Yes, I shall,
and it is with that intention that I have come to you.' On which the
girl's father finally says: 'Very well then, I have given you the
flower.' The question of the bride's price is then discussed. There
are three recognised scales--Rs. 7 and 7 pieces of cloth, Rs. 9 and
9 pieces of cloth, and Rs. 18 and 18 pieces of cloth. The rupees in
question are those of Orissa, and each of them is worth only two-thirds
of a Government rupee. In cases of extreme poverty Rs. 2 and 2 pieces
of cloth are accepted. The price being fixed, the boy's father goes to
pay it after an interval; and on this occasion he holds out his cloth,
and a cocoanut is placed on it and broken by the girl's father, which
confirms the betrothal. Before the marriage seven married girls go out
and dig earth after worshipping the ground, and on their return let it
all fall on to the head of the bridegroom's mother, which is protected
only by a cloth. On the next day offerings are made to the ancestors,
who are invited to attend the ceremony as village gods. The bridegroom
is shaved clean and bathed, and the Brahman then ties an iron ring