Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/171

142 Prophet intercede for them! But which amongst them seeks me to wife?"

"The young man who is known as ʾUtbah-ibn-Khabâb," he replied.

"I have heard," said she, "of this ʾUtbah, that he is one who performs what he promises, and follows what he seeks."

Then cried her father, "I have sworn that I will never marry thee to him, for of a truth a certain tale concerning thee and him has reached me."

"It was not true," she said.

"Nevertheless," he responded, "I have sworn that I will not wed thee with him."

"Yet be courteous to them," she said. "For indeed the el-Ansâry do not associate with people of low degree. An excuse is better than flat refusal."

"What kind of excuse?" he asked.

"Be exacting with them in the matter of dowry," she replied, "and they will withdraw."

"What thou hast spoken is good," said he. Then he went out quickly, and said to the people, "The daughter of the tribe has made answer. But nevertheless I must demand that her dowry be equal to her rank. Say, who is guarantee for the same?"