The Greatest Salesman in the World, Part II: The End of the Story by Og Mandino

Author:Og Mandino [Mandino, Og]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Ancient, Business & Economics, Motivational, Non-Fiction, Religion, Sales & Selling
ISBN: 9780307790972
Google: iR3XIgmL-4wC
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2011-03-29T23:00:00+00:00

VII

Erasmus fell back as if he had been struck. “I am not certain that my old ears heard correctly, master.”

Hafid’s voice signaled his weariness. “I said that it was very cold in that terrible dungeon, last night, and Paul had little clothing so I gave him my robe.”

“But you have delivered at least eight hundred speeches, through all these years, with that old and worn garment of Jesus’ about your person. Many times I have heard you say that to feel it on your shoulders lifted your spirits and filled you with confidence. How will you function without it, should it not be returned in time for your next speech?”

Hafid closed his eyes and said, “I have little hope of ever seeing the robe again since I fear that Paul’s days are numbered. Even he, who has spent his life challenging great odds, has admitted that the end is near. Let the robe comfort our brave little friend in his final days.”

“But can you perform without it?” asked Galenus anxiously.

“It will not be necessary. I know that both you and Erasmus have made plans to continue north to Pisa and Genoa and possibly into Gaul and I beg your forgiveness for this sudden decision; however, my speaking career has ended. Last night was my final act from the platform.”

Erasmus moved closer and stared directly into Hafid’s eyes. “Are you ill, master? Shall I secure a physician?”

“Have you already forgotten that last night I was in the company of Luke, a wise and experienced man of medicine? No, Erasmus, I am in good health. However, I was unable to sleep, last night, after returning from that prison. The parting words of Paul weighed heavily on my mind and my heart and I have decided to follow his wise advice while I still have my good health.”

“I do not understand, sire.”

“We are dining with Sergius Paulus and wife at his villa this evening, are we not?”

“Yes. The invitation to all three of us was delivered after you and Luke had departed for the prison, last night.”

“Then I beg of you, please be patient for a few more hours and I shall make my plans for the future known to all, at the dinner.”

The retired governor’s villa, nestled in the foothills west of the Tiber, was not as large as the palace on Cyprus but it contained a spacious dining room that had already become a favorite of Rome’s aristocracy. Its walls were inlaid with mother-of-pearl while the silk-covered ceiling contained hundreds of openings into which fresh cut flowers were inserted each day. Marble statues of every Caesar stood guard around the room and in its center was an immense circular bronze table inlaid with ivory and gold.

There were only four guests at dinner and they were clustered at one end of the huge table, two on each side of Sergius Paulus and his wife of forty years, Cornelia, who smiled frequently but said little during the meal. Joining Hafid, Erasmus, and Galenus

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