“‘But why such haste?’ said Mairam.  ’My chest of drawers is full of stuff for clothes, and what I am wearing is still quite new.  If we need anything we will come to you.’

“‘What are you talking about, Auntie Mairam?’ answered Hemorrhoid Jack.  ’Do you not believe me?  I tell you, you can get double for the goods, and if you cannot use everything yourself, give it to your neighbors.  You will do good business.  On my word of honor, I swear to you, you will make double on it.  Would I lie for the sake of such a trifle?  Whom do you think you have here?  But that is a small matter:  I have still something better to propose.  You must take a shipment of tea from me.  In the winter the price will rise, and you can make enormous profits out of it.  To-morrow I will send you one chest—­for the present.  Well?  Now, really, I will send it to you.’

“‘My dear John,’ exclaimed Sarkis, ’you must know how risky it is to begin a new business.  I have never handled tea, and the thing appears to me somewhat daring.  I know no customers for tea, and understand nothing about the goods.  If it remains lying by me and spoils—­’

“‘What empty straw are you threshing now?’ cried Hemorrhoid Jack.  ’As soon as the people know that you have tea to sell they will of their own accord come running into your store.  Do you think that you will have to look up customers?  In a week or two not a trace of your tea will remain.  I speak from practical experience.  This year little tea has been brought from Siberia, and what they have brought has almost all fallen into my hands.  Do not think that I seek a buyer in you!  God forbid!  When I learned what a good man you were, I thought to myself, “I must give him a chance to make something.  Yes, I want him to make a few kopecks.”  Do you think I am in need of purchasers?  Now, Sarkis, to-morrow I will send you the goods.  What?’

“’By heaven, I know not how I ought to answer you.  Do you know, I am afraid,’ said Sarkis.

“The poor fellow could say nothing farther, for he was such an honest, good-natured fellow that it was hard for him to refuse anybody anything.  The word ‘no’ did not exist for him.

“‘You are talking nonsense,’ began Hemorrhoid Jack anew.  ’Give up your grocery and set up a wholesale business.  Manage it according to the European plan, and you shall see how thankful to me you will be in time.  Do you believe that I am your enemy?  Would I advise you badly?  Now, the matter is settled.  In the morning I will send you several chests of tea and put them in your store.  You will find out that Hemorrhoid Jack wishes you no ill.  Yes, I will say something even better.  You know what machorka is?—­a cheap tobacco that the poor folk smoke.  What do you think of this stuff?  Do you think that there is a class of goods more profitable than this?  People make thousands from it, and build themselves fine houses.  And what expenses have they with it?  Put the tobacco in an empty stable or shed and it may lie there.  A chest of it put on sale in your store and I tell you, if you do not make ruble for ruble out of it, then spit in my face.