| THE MERCHANT. |
| THE MERCHANT'S WIFE. |
[The MERCHANT and his WIFE are at supper.]
WIFE. Our neighbors bought some fine olives to-day. It has been a long time since we have had olives. I am quite hungry for them.
MERCHANT. Now you speak of olives, you put me in mind of the jar which Ali Cogia left with me.
WIFE (pointing to a jar in another part of the room). There is the very jar waiting for him against his return.
MERCHANT. Certainly he must be dead, since he has not returned in all this time. Give me a plate; I will open the jar, and if the olives be good, we will eat them.
WIFE. Pray, husband, do not commit so base an action. You know nothing is more sacred than what is left to one's care and trust.
MERCHANT. But I am certain All Cogia will never return.
WIFE. And I have a strong feeling that he will. What will he think of your honor if he finds the jar has been opened?