iends, and once more request admission under thy hospitable roof."
Yussuf came out into the verandah. "Oh! it is you, then; now take my
advice,--go in peace. I am now in good humour, and peaceably disposed;
but had I fallen in with you to-day, I would have twisted off your
necks."
"Nay, good Yussuf," replied Giaffar, "we have heard of the unaccountable
and mad decree of the caliph, and have called to know how thou hast
fared, and if we can be of service to one so hospitable and kind."
"You lie, I believe," replied Yussuf; "but I'm in good humour, so you
shall come in, and see how well I fare. I am Yussuf, and my trust is in
God." He then went down and admitted them, and they viewed with surprise
the relics of the feast. "Now, then," observed Yussuf, who was more than
half drunk, "you know my conditions; there is my meat, there is my wine,
there is my fruit; not a drop or a taste shall you have. Keep your
confounded sharp eyes off my sweetmeats, you black-bearded rascal,"
continued Yussuf, addressing the caliph. "You have your share of them."
"Indeed, most hospitable sir, we covet not your delicacies: all we wish
to know is the reason of this unheard of decree, and how you have
contrived to supply your usual merry table."
"You shall hear," replied the water-carrier. "My name is Yussuf, and my
trust is in God. When the decree of the caliph came to my ears this
morning, I became as one deprived of sense; but wandering near the
hummaum of Giaffar Bermuki, a friendly servant of the baths accosted
me." Yussuf then stated how he had gained his money, much to their
amusement. "Now," continued he, "I will no longer be a water-carrier,
but an attendant at the bath will I live and die. May all evil fall upon
the cold-blooded caliph; but thanks to Allah, it never will enter his
head to shut up the baths."
"But," observed Giaffar, "suppose the caliph were to-morrow morning to
take it into his head to shut up the baths."
"Now, may all the ghouls seize thee when thou visitest thy father's
tomb," cried Yussuf, jumping up in a fury, "thou bear-whiskered rascal!
Did not I caution thee against evil predictions--and did you not swear
that you would deal no more in surmises? The devil must attend you, and
waft your supposes into the ear of the caliph, upon which to frame out
his stupid fetvas."
"I heartily ask your forgiveness, and I am dumb," replied Giaffar.
"Then you are wise for once; prove yourself still wise, and has
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