to learn that Draupadi Bai knew anything
about Guzra Bai, and he said, "Speak not of her: she is a wicked
woman; it is fit that she should end her days in prison."

But Draupadi Bai and her husband, and her hundred brothers rose and
said, "We require, O Rajah, that you send home instantly and fetch
hither that much injured lady, which, if you refuse to do, your wives
shall be imprisoned, and you ignominiously expelled this kingdom."

The Rajah could not guess what the meaning of this was, and thought
they merely wished to pick a quarrel with him; but not much caring
whether Guzra Bai came or not, he sent for her as was desired. When
she arrived, her daughter, Draupadi Bai, and her hundred sons, with
Draupadi Bai's husband and the young Ramchundra, went out to the gate
to meet her, and conducted her into the palace with all honour. Then,
standing around her, they turned to the Rajah, her husband, and
related to him the story of their lives; how that they were his
children, and Guzra Bai their mother; how she had been cruelly
calumniated by the twelve wicked Ranees, and they in constant peril of
their lives; but having miraculously escaped many terrible dangers,
still lived to pay him duteous service and to cheer and support his
old age.

At this news the whole company was very much astonished. The Rajah,
overjoyed, embraced his wife, Guzra Bai, and it was agreed that she
and their hundred sons should return with him to his own land, which
accordingly was done. Ramchundra lived very happily with his father
and mother to the day of their death, when he ascended the throne, and
became a very popular Rajah; and the twelve wicked old Ranees, who had
conspired against Guzra Bai and her children, were, by order of the
Rajah, burned to death. Thus truth triumphed in the end; but so
unequally is human justice meted out that the old nurse, who worked
their evil will, and was in fact the most guilty wretch of all, is
said to have lived unpunished, to have died in the bosom of her
family, and to have had as big a funeral pile as any virtuous Hindoo.

_The Feast of the Lanterns_

Wang Chih was only a poor man, but he had a wife and children to love,
and they made him so happy that he would not have changed places with
the Emperor himself.

He worked in the fields all day, and at night his wife always had a
bowl of rice ready for his supper. And sometimes, for a treat, she
made him some bean soup, or gave him a little