here placed her on a straw bed, and gave her the provisions, and a
cup of water to drink.

Houadir, being somewhat refreshed by the care of Nouri, acquainted her
with the cruel decree of Almurah, who had turned her son out of his
little patrimony, where, by the labour of his hands, he had for many
years supported her, and that till that day she had ever found him a
most dutiful and obedient son, and concluded with a wish that he would
shortly return to his poor helpless parent.

Nouri did all she could to comfort the wretched Houadir, and, having
persuaded her to rest awhile on the bed, returned to the labours of
the day.

When her work was finished, Nouri, with the wages of the day,
purchased some provisions, and brought them home to feed herself and
the little Urad, whose portion of food, as well as her own, had been
distributed to the unhappy wanderers.

As Nouri was giving a small morsel to Urad, Houadir awaked, and begged
that Nouri would be so kind as to spare her a bit of her provisions.

Immediately, before Nouri could rise, the little Urad ran nimbly to
the bed and offered her supper to the afflicted Houadir, who received
it with great pleasure from her hands, being assured her mother would
not let Urad be a loser by her benevolence.

Houadir continued several days with the widow Nouri, expecting the
return of her son; till, giving over all hopes of seeing him, and
observing that she was burdensome to the charitable widow, she one
evening, after the labours of the day, thus addressed her hospitable
friend:

"I perceive, benevolent Nouri, that my son has forsaken me, and that I
do but rob you and your poor infant of the scanty provision which you,
by your hourly toil, are earning: wherefore, listen to my proposal,
and judge whether I offer you a suitable return. There are many parts
of your business that, old as I am, I can help you in, as the winding
your silk and feeding your worms. Employ me, therefore, in such
business in the day as you think me capable of performing; and at
night, while your necessary cares busy you about the house, give me
leave (as I see your labour allows you no spare time) to instruct the
innocent Urad how to behave herself, when your death shall leave her
unsheltered from the storms and deceits of a troublesome world."

Nouri listened with pleasure to the words of Houadir.

"Yes," said she, "benevolent stranger, you well advise me how to
portion my poor infant, Urad, whom I