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Yonge, Charlotte Mary, 1823-1901

"Stories by English Authors: Africa (Selected by Scribners)"


Moreover, the Jew must be paid, and to-day was that appointed by Amos
for the settling of their account. There was no money to pay it with,
and they must lose their furniture, so much at least was certain. But
Amos would not have the best of the bargain, thought the Greek as he
looked round the room with a grin, and the certainty that he had got
the better of Amos for the moment cheered his spirits. Then, too, after
to-day there would be plenty to eat, for his wife could manage to earn
money; nor was the man so mean in his villainy as to shirk any effort to
earn money himself. After first looking at his wife critically and with
a satisfied smile, he touched her on the shoulder to wake her.
"I am going out for work," he said, as Xantippe opened her eyes.
"All right."
"Good-bye."
But Xantippe answered not. She turned her face to the wall wearily as
Gregorio left her.
Entering the street he made straight for Amos's house, and told the
porter, who was still lying on the trestle before the door, that he
could not pay the Jew's bill. Then without waiting for an answer, he
hurried off to the quay.


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