Question

There was once a jeweler, famous for many virtues(美德). One day, some Arabs came to him for some diamonds to decorate an important thing for a yearly celebration.

The Arabs told him what they wanted, and offered him a f1. price for the diamonds. He replied that he could not let them see the jewels at that moment, and required them to call again.

As they wanted the diamonds without any delay, and thought that the p2. of the jeweler was only to increase the price of the diamonds, the Arabs offered him twice, then three times as much as they were worth. But he still refused, and they were quite d3. and went away.

Some hours later, he went to the Arabs and l4. before them the diamonds, for which they again offered him the last price they had named, but he said, “ I will only accept the first price you offered to me this morning.”

“Why, then, did you disagree with us at once?” asked they in surprise.

“When you came,” replied he, “my father had the key to the s5., in which the diamonds were locked, and as he was asleep, I would have to w6. him to gain them.”

“At his age, a short hour of sleep u7.does him good; and no business is more important than my father’s single comfort.”

The Arabs were affected by his words. They spread their hand upon the jeweler’s head and showed their satisfying smiles.

Answer 1