a palanquin and putting him in carried him like a great pig, groaning and grunting every step of the way home.  When his retainers, who had been sent in search of the dragon-jewel, heard in what a plight their lord had returned, they plucked up courage and came before him; and he, instead of blaming them, praised them for the wisdom they had shewn in not attempting to do what was impossible, and the little money he had left he divided among them, calling the Princess Splendor all sorts of dreadful names, saying she was no better than a murderess for trying to make away with good men's lives, and advised his people never to pass her house again.  The story got out that Lord Lofty had come back with the dragon-jewel, but those		who knew better laughed till they nearly split their sides, saying, that the only jewels he brought were the plum-jewels under each eye. And from this, when any one has not been able to do as he boasted he would, he is said to have “brought home the plum-jewels.”  The gorgeous palace built for his marriage with the princess was never used, and the crows came and built their nests of the silken threads with which it was thatched.
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