“But,” said he, “one of those rolls I gave you, and I’m not going to let you have it.”
“Even though you did give it, do you mean to say that for one roll of silk you will carry away this box? I’ll not consent to it.” Thus they quarrelled, and contradicted each other.
“If you don’t give me the box,” said he, “I’ll enter a suit against you at the Mayor’s.”
A little later the day dawned, and so he had the box carried off to the Mayor’s office to have the case decided by law, while the woman followed. When they entered the court, already the Mayor was seated in the judgment-place, and here they presented their case concerning the box.
The Mayor, after hearing, decided thus: “Since you each have a half-share in its purchase, there is nothing for me to do but to divide it between you. Bring a saw,” said he.
The servants brought the saw and began on the box, when suddenly from the inner regions came forth a cry, “Save me; oh, save me!”
The Mayor, in pretended astonishment, said, “Why, there’s a man’s voice from the inside,” and ordered that it should be opened. The servants managed to find the key, and at last the lid came back, and from the inner quarters there came forth a half-dressed man.
On seeing him the whole place was put into convulsions of laughter, for it was none other than the Governor.
“How is it that your Excellency finds yourself in this box in this unaccountable way?” asked the Mayor. “Please come out.”
The Governor, huddling himself together as well as he could, climbed on to the open verandah. He held his head down and nearly died for shame.