ABSTRACT
HASSANBINAHMIDFA,theyoungpearlmerchant,walkedinto myofficeattheFortonemorningandplacedalittlecardboard boxonmydesk.Hehelpedhimselftooneofmycigarettesand smiledslylyasIopenedthebox.Underalayerofcottonwool therewereadozengleamingwhitepearls.Itookthemoutand placedtheminthepalmofmyhand;theyhadamoon-white lustre,theirsurfacereflectedmyfacelikeamirror,andtherewasa sheenofpink,greenandgoldintheirtexture.
