Thus the weeks went on and soon, although they sold few of the pearls,
and those the smallest, for of the larger gems they said little or
nothing, they began to grow rich, and to hoard up such a weight of gold
in dust and nuggets, and so many precious things, that they scarcely
knew what they should do with them. Still Tat seemed to be a peaceful
city, or at the least none tried to rob or molest them, perhaps because
a rumour was abroad that these strangers who had come out of the Unknown
were under the protection of some god.
There was nothing to show how or why this rumour had arisen in the city,
but on account of it, if for no other reason, these pearl-merchants,
as they were called, suffered no wrong, and although they were only
undefended women, whatever credit they might give, the debt was always
paid. Also their servants, to whom they added as they had means, were
all faithful to them. So there they remained and traded, keeping their
secrets and awaiting the appointed hour of escape, but never venturing
to leave the shelter of their own walls.
Pages:
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347