"'You, also?' sneered Glow-of-dawn. 'The strokes of Fate do not vary much. As for me, I deal in European goods; my correspondents have not settled my accounts and I am in want of nearly a hundred thousand ounces of silver to close the year. None of my friends could advance me the sum, and here I am, obliged to fly away from my creditors.'
"'A hundred thousand ounces!' cried The-just. 'With a sum like that I should pass the rest of my days in plenty. Anyhow, struck by the same misfortune, we are thus united; let us try to pass cheerfully the last day of the year, and attempt to imagine that these humble cakes are refined food.'
"When they were eating their pastry and drinking water from the near torrent, Glow-of-dawn suddenly said:
"'But you, how much do you owe? I have here a few ounces of silver; maybe you could balance your accounts with them.'
"'My debts do not exceed six strings of copper cash. But how could I dare accept your offer?'
"'Not at all! take these ten ounces; you will pay your debts and bring me here food and wine; that will help me to wait till the end of the festivals.'
"The-just, reiterating his thanks, took the ingots that were offered him and went down as quickly as possible towards the town.
"His wife, on seeing him and hearing his story, could not restrain her joy. She hurried to go and buy provisions of all kinds. Her husband tried to light the stove, but they had not lit a fire for a long time; he found the chimney filled with soot and dust.
"Hong tried to sweep it with a big broom, but the masonry gave way, filling the room with the bricks and rubbish.
"'How very annoying!' grumbled the currier. 'Now the stove is destroyed let us take away what remains, and we will make the fire beneath the opening in the roof!'