We used to see Marrow-Bone filling his gourd at the drinking-place and carrying it carefully up to his cave.

Imitation was strong in the Folk, and first one, and then another and another, procured a gourd and used it in similar fashion, until it was a general practice with all of us so to store water.
Sometimes old Marrow-Bone had sick spells and was unable to leave the cave.

Then it was that the Hairless One filled the gourd for him.

A little later, the Hairless One deputed the task to Long-Lip, his son.
And after that, even when Marrow-Bone was well again, Long-Lip continued carrying water for him.

By and by, except on unusual occasions, the men never carried any water at all, leaving the task to the women and larger children.