I Won't Become Like Him

A branch, a basin of sand, a miracle.

After Teacher Hogg's earnest instruction, Karama, the apprentice with a red and swollen butt, finally learned how to make glass the next day. Even though the bottles she blew were hideous, at least she'd succeeded.

Holding a piece of bread and leaning against Hogg, Karama was overjoyed. The bread was dry and hard, but she'd bought it with her own wages.

Savoring the faint sweetness of the starch as it dissolved in her mouth, Karama pointed at the green bottle on the table and said proudly, "Hogg, did you see? Each of these bottles sold for three Aureus! We'll never have to worry about money again."

Karama was too excited to notice Hogg frowning beside her as she sang her own praises. Before long, she was getting another spanking.

"Shut up! You call this piece of junk a glass bottle? The coal you used cost more than three Aureus. I went out of my way to hire people to mine it at a high price. Do you even know how to do the math?"

After scolding his apprentice, Hogg remembered to offer a reward, too. He pulled out a Denarius and tossed it to her, coaxing, "Here, this is your cut this time. Don't complain that it's too little. You only put in a bit of effort; I'm the one who did most of the work. Even if all twenty bottles sell, I won't make much. Go on, spend it."

Karama was delighted with her silver coin. She knew Hogg was ripping her off, but something was better than nothing. She was already quite content just to have a place to stay.

Rubbing the Denarius between her fingers, Karama felt the wonderful comfort of money. But she was afraid she might lose