The merchant bowed as if Quintus were the proconsul himself, standing armed with his Legions to back him.

The merchant bowed gravely, perhaps to cover the trace of a smile he was unable to repress.

Stools scraped across the flagstones as the four merchants got to their feet and bowed.

The merchant bowed, wrote on a piece of paper, sealed it, received the coins, cut the piece of string, and formally passed the children over with the customary blessing and a second bow.

The merchant bowed.

The merchant entered, bowed, and was offered a seat.

The merchant bowed: "Certainly, sir."

The merchant bowed and uttered conventional words of thanks.

When the captain turned back to them, the merchants took up their smiles and bows as if they had never been interrupted.

'The merchant bows unto the seaman's star, The ploughman from the sun his season takes.'