Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/252

Rh And behold! there was a riding-horse with him, and I mounted, and we journeyed together until we arrived at his master's house. And I entered, and lo! there was the slave-girl, who sprang towards me, and saluted me. And I asked, "How hast thou fared?"

She replied, "He lodged me in this little room, and ordered for me everything I required."

So I sat with her awhile, and then, behold! one of his servants came to me, and said, "Come." So I got up, and he led me into the presence of his master. And lo! he was my companion of yesterday, and was now seated upon his chair of state.

And he asked, "Who art thou?"

"Yûnus the scribe," I answered.

"Thou art welcome," said he. "By Allâh! I have indeed been desirous to see thee, for thy fame has reached me. And how didst thou pass the night?"

"Excellently, may Allâh preserve thee!" I said.

"But," he continued, "perhaps thou didst blame thyself for thy yesterday's work, and didst say, 'I have given up my slave to a man whom I do not know, with whose very name I am unacquainted, and in ignorance even of the place to which he belongs.'"

"God forbid," I cried, "that I should take blame to