The following morning they robed up, took their bowls and robes, and went to the house of that householder. When the female slave saw them coming, she prepared seats in the gatehouse and said to them, “Please sit, venerables.” They thought, “The meal can’t be ready, since we’re given seats in the gatehouse.” She then brought them broken rice and porridge, and said, “Eat, sirs.” “But, sister, we’ve come for the regular meal.” “I know. But yesterday I was told by the head of the household to serve you like this. Please eat.” They said to each other, “Yesterday this householder came to the monastery and spoke with Dabba. Dabba must be responsible for this split between the householder and us.” And because they were dejected, they did not eat as much as they had intended. When they had eaten their meal and returned from almsround, they put their bowls and robes away and squatted on their heels outside the monastery gatehouse, using their upper robes as a back-and-knee strap. They were silent and humiliated, with shoulders drooping and heads down, glum and speechless.