' [A monat is seventy-five cents.] Moses now took out his
pencil to write. The Malik said, 'I have often thought that I would
put a gold imperial in the box [four dollars and fifty cents]; write
that.' I then said, 'My family of eight souls hear preaching all the
year, and three or four attend school. I am a debtor; write for me
three tomans--it is not too much.' When God pleases, excuses flee
away; high prices and oppression were not thought of; we were lords
of wealth. Moses then said, 'I am troubled that I remain to the
last; but we are three brothers in company, and I know not whether
they will act through me, or each one for himself.' One brother
cried out, 'Our agent and I, five korans more.' Another man then
said, 'I also am at a loss on account of my brother;' and his
brother replied, 'Four monats.' These things made brotherly love
very firm. Guwergis now cried out, 'Women, where are you? In the
wilderness women gave their brazen mirrors.' I said, 'Holy women,
to-day ends fifteen years of the prayers of Christianity among us.
Speak!' [It was fifteen years since the revival in 1846.] One
replied, 'I half a monat;' and 'I a head-dress;' 'I a silver
ornament;' 'I my earrings;' and so on.
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