But when he returned to his part of the palace he found there two nomarchs from Lower Egypt who had come to report on their provinces, and when he had heard them out, he was wearied. Besides, he was to hold an evening reception and did not wish to be late in beginning.
"And again I shall not be with her," thought he. "Poor girl! for twenty days she has not seen me."
He summoned the negro.
"Hast Thou that cage which Sarah gave thee when we went to greet his holiness?"
"I have."
"Take a pigeon from it, and let the bird loose."
"The pigeons are eaten."
"Who ate them?"
"Thou. I told the cook that those birds came from the Lady Sarah; so he made a roast and pies out of them for thee, worthiness."
"May the crocodiles eat you both!" cried the prince, in anger.