llem Osman, to request that you will
immediately repair to the palace, carrying with you five bags, each
containing one thousand dirhems, of which there appears at present to be
no chance of receiving an asper. This paper, sealed by the vizier,
contains the order; and as you have the honour of being the caliph's
debtor, you will do well to rise and accompany me forthwith to the
palace, not forgetting the needful."

At this speech Mallem started up from his seat, advanced most
submissively to Yussuf, took the paper and raised it to his head,
addressing Yussuf with the most abject servility, "O most excellent,
most valiant, and most powerful beeldar, how well doth the caliph select
his officers! How favoured am I by Allah with your happy presence! I am
your slave--honour me by refreshing yourself in my dwelling."

Yussuf then threw the driver of the beast half a dirhem, and dismissed
him, breathed as if fatigued with his journey, and wiped his brow with
his sleeve. The confectioner placed him in his own seat, and sent
hastily to the bazaar for a large dishful of kabob, spread a napkin
before Yussuf, and slicing a pomegranate, strewed it over with pounded
sugar, and placed it before him, along with some sweet cakes and some
honey. "O chief of beeldars!" said the confectioner, "it is my prayer
that you deign to break your fast in the house of your servant. Will you
amuse yourself with these trifles while something better is preparing?"
Here one of the shopmen brought a bowl, into which he poured sherbet of
the distilled juice of the lotus-flower mingled with rose-water. The
master placed this also before Yussuf, and entreated him to eat; but
Yussuf, affecting the great man, held his head up in the air and would
not even look that way. "Condescend to oblige me by tasting this
sherbet, O chief!" continued the confectioner: "or I swear by Allah,
that I will divorce my youngest and most favourite wife."

"Hold--hold, brother!" replied Yussuf; "rather than that the innocent
should suffer, I will comply with your request; although, to say the
truth, I have no appetite, having taken my breakfast from the caliph's
table in ten dishes, each dish containing three fowls dressed in a
different fashion. I am so full that I can scarce draw my breath."

"I fully comprehend that it is out of compassion to your slave that you
comply with my request."

"Well," said Yussuf, "to oblige you;" and taking up the bowl of sherbet,
which contai