He means well, and I'm a beast not to feel more
glad to see him. And yet, hang it all! I can't have him popping in and
out of the office like a rabbit whenever the fancy takes him!"

"Peace be upon thee," said Fakrash. "Moderate the trouble of thy heart,
and impart thy difficulties to me."

"Oh, they're nothing, thanks," said Horace, feeling decidedly
embarrassed. "I got stuck over my work for the moment, and it worried me
a little--that's all."

"Then thou hast not yet received the gifts which I commanded should be
delivered at thy dwelling-place?"

"Oh, indeed I have!" replied Horace; "and--and I really don't know how
to thank you for them."

"A few trifling presents," answered the Jinnee, "and by no means suited
to thy dignity--yet the best in my power to bestow upon thee for the
time being."

"My dear sir, they simply overwhelm me with their magnificence! They're
beyond all price, and--and I've no idea what to do with such a
superabundance."

"A superfluity of good things is good," was the Jinnee's sententious
reply.

"Not in my particular case. I--I quite feel your goodness and
generosity; but, indeed, as I told you before, it's really impossible
for me to accept any such reward."

Fakrash's brows contracted slightly. "How sayest thou that it is
impossible--seeing that these things are already in thy possession?"

"I know," said Horace; "but--you won't be offended if I speak quite
plainly?"

"Art thou not even as a son to me, and can I be angered at any words of
thine?"

"Well," said Horace, with sudden hope, "honestly, then, I would very
much rather--if you're sure you don't mind--that you would take them all
back again."

"What? Dost thou demand that I, Fakrash-el-Aamash, should consent to
receive back the gifts I have bestowed? Are they, then, of so little
value in thy sight?"

"They're of too much value. If I took such a reward for--for a very
ordinary service, I should never be able to respect myself again."

"This is not the reasoning of an intelligent person," said the Jinnee,
coldly.

"If you think me a fool, I can't help it. I'm not an ungrateful fool, at
all events. But I feel very strongly that I can't keep these gifts of
yours."

"So thou wouldst have me break the oath which I swore to reward thee
fitly for thy kind action?"

"But you _have_ rewarded me already," said Horace, "by contriving that a
wealthy merchant should engage me to build him a residence. And--forgive
my plai