Every one of the five then came and begged me separately for the money; I refused each of them point blank and went off to court.

When I came back, there were all my wives weeping side by side, embracing one another and calling each other fellow-sufferers.

These former enemies rose up against me with the most touching unanimity, and so overwhelmed me with revilings and threats that I left the room.

They closed their doors against me.

The next morning the lamentations of the evening before were continued.