Page:Life in India or Madras, the Neilgherries, and Calcutta.djvu/81

67 ter. “Two rupees," says the hawker. “How much?” cries the lady. “Two rupees yard, ma’am; plenty cheap, ma'am.”

“Two rupees! I will give you eight annas.” (Sixteen annas make a rupee, which is worth a little less than half a dollar.)

“Mistress shall have for rupee and half; very cheap, that; cost price, one rupee quarter;" (i. e. one rupee and a quarter.)

“No! hawker, no! half rupee is plenty."

“Can't give,” says the hawker, and begins to repack his goods, quite accidentally, of course, leaving the article under discussion for the last. “Mistress, give one rupee?” he asks in his most insinuating tone. "No! I will give eight annas," answers the lady, rising to go. “Take, ma'am! take!" cries the hawker, and the sale is made. The great chests are packed, tied, and remounted on the coolies' heads, the hawker makes his salaam, and with his suite departs.

These men are a great convenience, not only to persons residing in the city, but also in the inland towns, as they make long journeys with their goods, calling at every station in which there are foreign residents. In Madras, not only clothing, but glass, china, fruit, fowls,