"Woman, you jest," he said, "surely there is some abatement."
"Man," she answered, "I jest not; there is no abatement," and she
replaced the pearls in her garments.
Now he grew very angry, and asked:
"Did you know that I am the King of Tat, and if I will, can take your
pearls without any payment at all?"
"Are you?" asked Asti, looking at him coolly. "I should never have
guessed it. Well, if you steal my goods, as you say you can, you will be
King of Thieves also."
Now those who heard this saying laughed, and the King thought it best to
join in their merriment. Then the bargaining went on, but before it was
finished, at her appointed hour Tua began to sing behind the screen.
"Have done," said the King to Asti, "to-morrow you shall be paid your
price. I would listen to that music which is above price."
So Janees listened like one fascinated, for Tua was singing her best.
Step by step he drew ever nearer to the screen, though this Asti did
not notice, for she was engaged in locking up her goods.
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