Lion, a Mussulman who could allow himself to be converted into a
Christian dog--pardon me for having uttered this word, it was not
intended for you, but--"
"But only for the Christian dog!" said Mr. Lion, smiling. "Let us
leave it as it is. You have offended me, and I you. Let us be
friends again, and empty a glass with each other."
Mohammed accompanied him to his house and ate with him and drank of
the fiery Cyprian wine. After having refreshed and strengthened
himself, he turned to Mr. Lion with a merry countenance:
"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.
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