Now the other girls were frivolous, running, skipping, whirling about and singing, but Visakha walked quietly with them, observing all and saying little. And when they came to the tank the others carelessly stripped themselves and began to play in the clear water. But Visakha lifted her clothes by degrees as she entered and by degrees lowered them as she came out, careful and modest in her conduct. And, after this, food was distributed, and the other girls ate hurriedly and greedily and then gave the remnants to their attendants. But Visakha gave food first to those who served her, and then ate temperately herself. And the Brahman, still watching, saw that as the girls returned there was water across the path and the others took off their shoes and waded, but Visakha remained shod, and when they came to a wood she kept her sunshade up though the others had lowered theirs. And there the Brahman came up with her, in much astonishment and questioned her, and seeing him to be a holy and dignified person she replied with respectful courtesy. And thus he said: “Dear girl, whose daughter are you?” “Sir, I am the daughter of Balamitra.” “Dear girl, be not angry if I question you.” “While those girls were skipping, dancing and twirling, with other unseemly manners, you walked quietly; why, dear girl?” “Because, great sir, all girls are their parents’ merchandise. If in leaping and twirling I were to injure myself, I must be kept by my parents while I live, for none would woo me.” “Good, dear girl. I understand. Now, in entering the water your companions stripped themselves but you went clothed and modest. And why?” “O uncle, maidens must be shame-faced. It is not well for them to be seen unclothed.” “Dear girl, there was none to see.” “Uncle, you saw.” “Good, dear girl. And again, the others neglected their attendants, but you fed yours first. And why?” “For this reason, uncle; we have easy days and feastful; they, hard work always.” “Good, dear girl. And why in wading through the water did you keep your shoes on?” “Because in water one cannot see where one plants one’s feet. I would not cut mine!” “And in the wood, dear girl, you kept your sunshade open. Why? For then there was shade from the trees?” “But also, uncle, the droppings of birds, the malice of the monkeys letting fall unpleasant fragments, the falling of leaves and twigs. In the open this seldom happens; in a wood often.” So full of delight at her good sense, the Brahman went to her parents, and asked her in marriage for the son of Migara. And he said: “This girl will make a noble wife and a great lady, for she is full of thought for others and wise with the very wisdom of the Law. Give her to the son of Migara.”