Page:Malabari, Behramji M. - Gujarat and the Gujaratis (1882).djvu/182

166 value. Fresh security is now required if fresh supplies of rotten grain, adulterated oil, wet fuel, &c. are applied for. On all "reasonable" security he is ready to give, says the Márwári, but the customers must know that he has to meet his own liabilities. He charges heavy interest for the credit money, on the plea that he has to replace the goods disposed of on credit by new supplies for which he has to tell down cash, which he is forced to borrow. Besides, he turns to account the security lodged with him. He lends the ring, the clothes, the utensils, or the furniture to others, and charges for the use. He is not responsible for the wear and tear; if those who have lodged the articles with him object to their being used, why, they must close the account with him! He must live somehow! 'and so on, and so on. It is no use arguing with the Márwári, he will circumvent you everywhere. He lends and you borrow; it follows he should command and you obey.

The Márwári will lend and sell on credit to the last pie compatible with safety. Infinite is his power of lending, so is his power of