Page:Swahili tales.djvu/131

Rh said, "And you, master, forgive me, your slave; I had not heard that you were our master." And he said, "I am satisfied."

And he went thence, and the doors were opened from the bottom to the top, and all the chambers and all the storerooms on the right and left. And the master went in, and he said, "Unfasten these horses that are tied up, and let loose these people who are bound. And let some sweep, and some spread the couches, and some cook, and some draw water, and some come out to go and receive the mistress."

And Sultan Darai saw that house very beautiful, and saw exceedingly beautiful couches, and saw the furniture of the house; and he had never seen, or heard of furniture like that. His soul was very glad, and his heart felt like a man to whom is brought news from God, that he is going to enter Paradise, his soul was so glad.

And the people went and brought the mistress and the ladies who were come, with their slaves who came with them, and himself in front, and they came with them till they arrived at the house. And it said, "Come near, ladies, pass in, ladies." And it said, "Come near, companions, pass inside, my companions, womenfolk, go upstairs." And when the ladies were gone and passed, it said, "And the horses which came with the ladies, let them be taken into the yard," and they remained so.

So they went and got ready very much food, and they prepared very fine rice, and the ladies and slaves ate till every one had satisfied himself. The women who had come, said, "Ah, you gazelle, you, eh, father, you! we have seen great houses, we have seen people, we have heard of things. But this house and you, such as you are, we have never seen or heard of; and he who wishes to see, let him see such a house as this, he cannot excel such a