'Spruce yourself up a bit, my dear,' he said. 'That's not a bad dress you're wearing-no, not bad at all. You might as well keep that on. It'll save me digging out my best draperies for you.'

Karen dragged the little bone comb through her hair. It was a struggle, and she lost her temper with its pulling, but she managed to make the hair curl up slightly at the ends. She tossed it back off her face.

'There!' she said. 'Is that better?'

The women smiled and murmured to one another. One of them reached out and stroked Karen's hair gently, running a strand through her fingers. 'It's very pretty,' she said, 'You'll have to be careful, or the merchant will keep you for himself.'

They giggled, and the merchant roared at them to be quiet. 'Come on,' he ordered.

Each dealer had his own square in the market, and these were arranged with a space between so that prospective buyers could walk up and down and view everything on display.

Karen was shown a little marble block about two feet high and told to stand on it.

She suddenly lost her temper at this and blazed out in rebellion. 'What? Just like a bit of old furniture for everyone to stare at? I won't! You can't make me!'

'Oh yes, we can,' said the merchant smoothly, and he beckoned to his assistant, who came up grinning.

'Being difficult, are you?' he said, and coolly twisted her arm.

'Ouch! Stop it, you--'