ordinary working-class women who are eager to let others share what they know priests who try to raise money for one reason or another shopkeepers whose only concern is to sell their wares for a good profit doctors who cure the sick often for their own gain beggars who live on alms pearl buyers who are expert at buying valuable pearls at the lowest possible price • ordinary working-class women who are eager to let others share what they know • priests who try to raise money for one reason or another • shopkeepers whose only concern is to sell their wares for a good profit • doctors who cure the sick often for their own gain • beggars who live on alms • pearl buyers who are expert at buying valuable pearls at the lowest possible price