Here also were lettuces, and
beneath the lettuces gold. When the full two thousand sestertia were
counted, that is, over fifteen thousand pounds of our money, this second
basket still remained more than a third full.
"I ought to have run you up, madam," said the auctioneer, surveying the
shining gold with greedy eyes.
"Yes," she replied calmly, "if you had guessed the truth you might have
done so. But who knows the truth, except myself?"
"Are you a sorceress?" he asked.
"Perhaps. What does it matter? At least, the gold will not melt. And,
by the way, it is troublesome carrying so much of the stuff back again.
Would you like a couple of handfuls for yourself, and say ten pieces for
your clerk? Yes? Well, please first fill in that deed with the name
that I shall give you and with your own as witness? Here it is--'Miriam,
daughter of Demas and Rachel, born in the year of the death of Herod
Agrippa.' Thank you. You have signed, and the clerk also, I think. Now I
will take that roll.
"One thing more, there is another door to this Receiving-house? With
your leave I should prefer to go out that way, as my newly acquired
property seems tired, and for one day has had enough of public notice.
You will, I understand, give us a few minutes to depart before you
return to the rostrum, and your clerk will be so courteous as to escort
us out of the Forum.
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