"Thou art foolish, Rabsun!" burst out Dagon again. "Before I go to Hiram let my hand wither; with that politeness I should lose half the profit."
The guest thought awhile.
"Now Thou hast uttered a wise word," said he; "so I will tell thee something. Come to me and Hiram will come also; ye can talk of that business in my house."
Dagon bent his head, and half closing his eyes, inquired roguishly,
"Ei, Rabsun! Tell outright how much did he give thee?"
"For what?"
"For this, that I should come to thy house and transact business with him, the mangy scoundrel."
"This business interests all Phoenicia, so I need no profit on it," replied the indignant Rabsun.
"That is as true as that all thy debtors will pay thee."
"May they fail to pay me if I make anything in this! Only let not
Phoenicia lose!" cried Rabsun, in anger.