For example, 10-year German debt would pay investors a return of just 1.717pc on Wednesday.

But what if the debt that the children inherited had paid not for a car, but for their college education?

Such debt, known as prestiti, paid 5 percent interest per year and had an indefinite maturity date.

"A debt that I trust you will pay in full," she said sternly, but with apparent confidence.

More than one lifetime and the debt never paid!

Q. Did she tell you that she and her husband had some large debts to pay?

With his Majesty's armies moving forward again, debts will be paid, every single one of them.

But he has debts and a 50-member staff to pay.

With a restored economy, and debts paid, he resigned his post.

And given good management, a company's operations can be streamlined and debts eventually paid.