..................
If there was a problem later, she could always sell the belt at a jewelry store in town.
However, her conscience kept reminding her that failing to return other people’s
belongings isn’t right. It is a sin. She hid the belt in a secure place and left the
room. She looked left and right with the worried thought that Nang Oie might have followed
her home. On that same
evening, the kuan bahn1 called for a meeting at his house. Those who had
gone bathing before sunset at that particular area by the river were asked to attend.
Loong Pong’s family, whose house was located by the riverbank, had witnessed a number
of people bathing at the time. Among them were Nang Piew and four or five elders of the
village. The kuan bahn and the senior members explained the situation, then
admonished whoever had found the belt to return it to its rightful owner. There was
a heated discussion. When it was over, nobody had admitted to the crime.
The kuan bahn was compelled to come
up with another strategy. He told everyone involved to wrap ashes in a package of banana
leaves. Everyone should bring his or her package the following evening to the kuan bahn’s
house. This would give the culprit time to reconsider his or her mistake. On the way
home, Nang Piew tried to keep her behavior as normal as possible, but the harder she
tried, the more abnormal she became. It seemed to her that many eyes followed her wherever
she went. If she coughed, the cough sounded unusual. When she smiled, the expression
seemed dry and empty. When she spoke, her speech seemed insincere. Her heart was
heavy. She was not very happy. She was constantly afraid that people were going to come
and search her house for the belt. The following day, while she was sitting inside, deep
in thought about the silver belt and wondering what to do with it, she heard Nang Gie’s
voice at the gate.
"Hello! Anybody home?" Nang Oie called.
Nang Piew was startled. She moved closer to the
wall and, peeping through a hole,........... |
