MARKETING. 55 



"pen," and as they rarely have change, one is 

 obliged to try and keep a stock of "pens" in 

 the house, and often these get very scarce. 

 Copper money they do not like, but of course 

 are obliged to take it sometimes. Many do 

 not even understand its value, and thus long 

 explanations have to be made, and after a lot of 

 argument and much time wasted (of which also 

 they do not know the value), they take it and 

 go away, looking anything but satisfied. 



The woman cook I had used to enjoy teasing 

 the market-women, telling them many fibs about 

 the value of the copper money, and the torrent 

 of angry words and gesticulations that then 

 ensued was most laughable. 



I have now and again purchased things for 

 rice or salt, of which latter the women are very 

 fond ; and some people buy with rum, and I 

 believe get things cheaper that way ; but I 

 never will even keep it in the house, except a 

 small quantity, undiluted, for the spirit-lamp, 

 and to preserve specimens ; and I get just as 

 well served as my neighbour?, although I was 



