“Well,” said Sarah firmly, “I am sure you’ve seen no one in your city, or in any other city, for that matter, to compare with our young lady.” “No,” said Hiram, with a smile, “that is true.” Judith blushed a fiery red. “Why,” she cried, “I am not even pretty.” “You see,” said Sarah in Hiram’s ear, “she is not at all spoiled. What a jewel.” “The life of a merchant,” said Hiram thoughtfully, “is the most interesting life in the world. There is nothing like commerce to give one a liberal education. For one thing, the merchant has to travel a great deal, because naturally he has to see what he is buying; he has to visit other countries, in order to know what to sell. As you can imagine, it is a delightful way to occupy oneself.” “It’s quite another thing from living in a stable,” said Sarah. “Why, Sarah,” exclaimed Judith indignantly, “we don’t live in a stable.” “Maybe not,” the nurse admitted. “But we might just as well.” “In the morning,” said Hiram, “I go down to the docks, to see what ships are in. Several of the captains are known to me, and we discuss some matters of importance. Then I visit the markets, to see for myself what people are buying, because that is the only way to make a success of business. It is very interesting, all of it. One has to be perspicacious, to be a merchant. For instance, if people wish to buy silk in Damascus, it is useless to send them sandalwood, or betel-nut, even though I, personally, might prefer such things. “In the evening one goes for a stroll on the terraces above the water, to drink syrups, and watch the sun go down in the sea. “On festival occasions the streets are gayly decorated with flowers and rugs, and processions carrying the god pass among the houses, and meet at the Temple. Then there is music in the evening on the terraces, and bands of priests and worshippers perform the dances in honor of the deity.” Judith heaved a deep sigh. “How exciting that must be,” she said. And she gazed before her with parted lips and dreamy eyes. But the breeze, cold with dew, soon made her shiver. “Let me bring you a shawl,” said Hiram. And he returned to the house for a shawl of heavy silk, dyed in Tyrian purple, with a holy fringe, which he had brought along with him as a gift to Judith. When he was gone, Sarah remarked, “That is the sort of man I like; one who has made a success in the world and who says right out what he means. “What a wonderful life he leads. You can see that he knows how to live. A merchant--yes; that’s the life for a person.”