Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 5.djvu/29

11 expiate but death or the payment of such a fine by way of alms.’ Now she had with her somewhat of money, so she said to them, ‘Take the money and let him go.’ Accordingly, they set him free and he repented at her hands and vowed to serve her, for the love of God the Most High, till death should release him. Then he built her a hermitage and lodged her therein; moreover, he betook himself to woodcutting and brought her her daily bread. As for her, she was instant in the service of God, so that there came no sick man or demoniac to her, but she prayed for him and he was straightway made whole.

Now it befell, by the ordinance of God the Most High, that He sent down upon her husband’s brother a cancer in the face and smote the villager’s wife with leprosy and afflicted the murderer of the boy with paralysis. When the Cadi returned home from his pilgrimage, he asked his brother of his wife, and he told him that she was dead, whereat he mourned sore and accounted her with God. After awhile, the folk heard of the pious recluse and flocked to her cell from all parts of the length and breadth of the earth. And the Cadi said to his brother, ‘O my brother, wilt thou not seek out yonder pious woman? It may be God shall appoint thee healing at her hands.’ ‘O my brother,’ replied he, ‘carry me to her.’ Moreover, the husband of the leprous woman heard of the pious woman and carried his wife to her, as did also the paralytic’s family; and they all met at the door of her cell, where they waited, till her servant came, and begged him to ask leave of her to admit them; and he did so.

Now she had a place wherefrom she could look out upon those who came to her, without their seeing her, and thence she saw them all and recognized them. So, when her servant came in to her, she veiled herself and went out and stood in the door, looking at them; but they knew her not. Then said she to them, ‘O folk, ye shall