Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c7.82

c7.82

“They are in their gate and behaviour very high, stately in their carriage after the *Portugal* manner, of whom I think they have learned: yet they hold it no scorn to admit the meanest to come to speech of them. They are very thrifty, and it is a disgrace to them to be prodigal, and their Pride and Glory to be accounted near and saving. And to praise themselves they will sometimes say, *That scraps and parings will serve them; but that the best is for their Husbands.* The Men are not jealous of their Wives, for the greatest Ladies in the Land will frequently talk and discourse with any Men they please, altho their Husbands be in presence. And altho they be so stately, they will lay their hand to such work as is necessary to be done in the House, notwithstanding they have Slaves and Servants enough to do it.”