they were all once more studying the coins and notes, and exchanging
remarks about them.

"If I bind myself to work one year," said I, "shall I have to wait until
the end of that time before I get the clothes?"

The reply to this question, I thought, would settle the matter one way
or the other.

"No," said he. "It is your wish, and also ours, that you should be
differently clothed at once, and the garments you require would be made
for you immediately."

"Then," said I, taking the desperate plunge, "I should like to have them
as soon as possible, and I am ready to commence work at once."

"You shall commence to-morrow morning," he answered, smiling at my
impetuosity. "The daughters of the house, whose province it is to make
these things, shall also suspend other work until your garments are
finished. And now, my son, from this evening you are one of the house
and one of us, and the things which we possess you also possess in
common with us."

I rose and thanked him. He too rose, and, after looking round on us with
a fatherly smile, went away to the interior of the house.