Page:Dialogues, Intended to Facilitate the Acquiring of the Bengali Language.djvu/30

 Moonshi, shall I first learn Persian, or what? What language being acquired, shall I be able to do the business of this country?

Sir, this is Bengal. The Bengal writing, reading, and language, are current here. There will be no objection to your studying other languages afterwards; but first there is a necessity for the Bengalee language, and a knowledge of reading and writing it.

Hear! In how long time shall I be able to do business, if I attend to learning?

Gentlemen are of fertile genius and good understanding; therefore by learning for two years, they may be able to do business.

Moonshi, what will be a proper time to learn to read and write?

Sir, from breakfast time till twelve o'clock in the morning, and in the same manner from tea time till ten o'clock in the evening.

Well, at those times do you come and teach me. I shall begin to-morrow morning after breakfast.

As you command, Sir.

Moonshi, when did you come?

Sir, I came two hours ago.

I did not see you. Where was you so long?

I went into your counting-house before breakfast time.

What business had you in the counting-house?

No, I had no business; I only sat there and chatted.