HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
169 
you are to have a younger sister. I shall still make you 
happy, adds the husband; here is a present for you—five 
dollars, ’tis a large sum.’’ 
When the money is mentioned, the woman finds the affair 
is earnest, and then objects: “ No, I shall not be one of 
two wives, let me be divorced.” The husband employs 
pacific expressions, endeavours to abate her anger, and to 
obtain her consent; he assures her of his affection, and that 
he can by no means part with her, and expresses his 
astonishment that she could talk of a divorce. Still with¬ 
holding her consent, he reminds her that it is the man’s 
prerogative to have many wives, and a fine large house built 
on a hill, to remain there as a monument of his respecta¬ 
bility. “Those who are inferior,” he tells her, “wish to 
become equal, and those who are equal to become superior, 
that he who has one wishes for two, and he who has two 
wishes for three.” 
The poor wife now finding it best to be pacified, says 
that she is so, and replies, “ Well, that is sufficient, since 
you are determined on the measure. ’Tis like the old 
proverb, 6 Where the hill is long, there is room for thinking.’ 
Since I am tired of refusing, I have consented ; yet I wish 
you to consider, that I prefer speaking to you face to face 
rather than complaining of you to others. I shall not ask you 
to give me all I want, but I ask you, as pledge of your attach¬ 
ment to me, to give me a slave whom I may give to any 
one I please; then you may take any one you like as my 
junior, wtiether from a near or a distant tribe.” A little 
bargaining takes place about the demand for a slave, and 
the wife repeats, that she merely asks, lest her children 
should cease to love her if she were poor. The husband 
then adds. “ Here is half a slave for you,* but you are not 
* That is, a right over half his services or half his value, if sold or redeemed. 
