Thereupon the Hettirala says, "Don't you do work [so as] to become
tired. There are my shops; you can stay at a shop." When he asked,
"Can you [do] letter accounts?" [238] the Prince said, "I can." When
he said it, having said, "If so, go to my shop," he started him,
and having gone with the Hettirala he gave him charge of the shop.
Thereupon the Prince asks, "Do you give the shop goods on credit
(nayata) and the like? How is the mode of selling the goods?"
The Hettirala says, "Yes, give them on credit. When giving them on
credit don't merely give them; [after] writing the name give them."
Thereupon the Prince having said, "It is good," and taking charge,
from that time spoke to men who are going on the road. When the men
came he asked, "Where are you going? Where is your village? What is
your name?" Afterwards he says, "It is good. Taking anything you want,
go." Having said and said it, and having brought in that manner all
the men going on the road, in a week's time he finished the goods
that were in the shop. During the time when he was giving the goods
in that way, should anyone come and having given money ask for goods,
taking the money he gave goods for the money.
When he finished the goods in that manner, the Hettirala, not knowing
[about it], having become much pleased, said, "You are very good,
having looked with this promptitude at the account of the money for
which you sold the goods. Bringing goods afresh will be good, will
it not?"
When he was preparing to look at the accounts, having brought the book
in which he wrote the men's names, and a little money, [the Prince]
placed them [before him]. The Hettirala asked, "What is this?"
Then the Prince says, "Why, what is it you are asking? Have I
blundered? In the book, indeed, the names will be correct; having
indeed written the names I gave the goods. I did not give goods to
even a person without having written the name."
The Hettirala says, "Ane! You are a great fool; you are not a person
who can do trading." Having said [this], the Hettirala, calling the
Prince, went home again.
Having gone [there], when three or four days were going the Hettirala's
wife began to scold the Hettirala, "For what reason are we causing
this one to stay, and undergoing expense by giving him to eat and to
wear?" When she shouted to the Hettirala, "If this thief is sitting
unemployed, this very day having beaten him I shall drive him away,"
the Hettirala asks the Prince, "Child, there are many cattle of mine;
can you look after the cattle?"