‘My good friend! is it possible that you have no bankers in your country?’
‘Yes, it is very possible; but we have mermaids, who also give us shells which are pretty. What then are your bankers?’
‘Really, my good friend, that is a question which I never remember having been asked before; but a banker is a man who keeps our money for us.’
‘Ah! and he is bound, I suppose, to return your money, when you choose?’
‘Most assuredly!’
‘He is, then, in fact, your servant: you must pay him handsomely, for him to live so well?’
‘By no means! we pay him nothing.’
‘That is droll; he must be very rich then?’
‘Really, my dear friend, I cannot say. Why, yes! I—I suppose he may be very rich!’
‘Tis singular that a rich man should take so much trouble for others!’