FIRST MERCHANT. But if already We'd thought of a more prudent way than that?
SECOND MERCHANT. If each one brings a bit of merchandise, We'll give him such a price he never dreamt of.
MARY. Where shall the starving come at merchandise?
FIRST MERCHANT. We will ask nothing but what all men have.
MARY. Their swine and cattle, fields and implements Are sold and gone.
FIRST MERCHANT. They have not sold all yet. For there's a vaporous thing—that may be nothing, But that's the buyer's risk—a second self, They call immortal for a story's sake.
SHEMUS. You come to buy our souls?
TEIG. I'll barter mine. Why should we starve for what may be but nothing?
MARY. Teig and Shemus—
SHEMUS. What can it be but nothing? What has God poured out of His bag but famine? Satan gives money.