"Now to a little business matter that I have to transact with you;
for, if I had not met you below, I should have come up here after
you. Look at my four magnificent ducats; I should like to invest
them with you."

"You are a shrewd lad, and are disposed to improve your good
fortune. That is right, and without so doing, one makes no progress
in the world."

"You shall invest them with me, and they shall bear you good
interest."

"Not in that way," cried Mohammed. "I have no desire to lay a grain
of sand on a mountain, with the expectation that it will bear fruit,
whereas it is only lost among the others. No, I wish to buy goods.
You have always been kind and friendly to me, and from me you will
certainly not demand as much as from the rich people of the town, or
the governor."

"You are right, Mohammed. You shall have the goods at the price they
cost me. What will you have?"

"A magnificent silk dress, and a long white veil, such as the ladies
of rank wear."

"See, see!" exclaimed the merchant, regarding the boy, whose eyes
fairly sparkled in amazement. "You were right, Mohammed, you are no
longer a boy. You are in love, and it is assuredly a bride to whom
Mohammed wishes to present this love-offering?"