“Well,” replied Ali, “I’ve one comfort, your story’s not told yet. His highness has yet to decide which is the best.”
After a few minutes’ pause, to recover himself from the ruffling of his temper, the pacha addressed the other man—“Now, Hussan, you will begin your story; and observe that I am rather in an ill-humour.”
“How can your highness be otherwise, after the annoyance of that bore Ali? I said so; ‘Ali,’ says I—”
“Go on with your story,” repeated the pacha angrily.
“It was about two years ago, your highness, when I was sitting at the door of the fruit-shop, which your highness might have observed when you saw us last night, that a young female, who seemed above the common class, came in, followed by a porter. ‘I want some melons,’ says she. ‘I have very fine ones, so walk in,’ says I, and I handed down from the upper shelf, where they were placed, four or five musk, and four or five water-melons.
“‘Now,’ says I, ‘young woman, you’ll observe that these are much finer melons,’ says I, ‘than you usually can procure; therefore the lowest price that I can take,’ says I, ‘is—’”
“Why your says I’s are much worse than Ali’s you knows; leave them out, if you please, and proceed with your story,” cried the pacha, with increased ill-humour.
“I will obey, your highness, if possible. I stated the lowest price, and she lifted up her veil—‘I have an idea,’ said she, as she allowed me to look upon one of the prettiest faces in the world, ‘that they are to be had cheaper.’
“I was so struck with her beauty that I was quite speechless. ‘Am I not right?’ said she, smiling. ‘From you, madam,’ says I, ‘I can take nothing; put as many in the basket of your porter as you please.’ She thanked me, and put into the basket all that I had handed down.
“‘Now,’ says she, ‘I want some dates, the best and finest that you have.’ I handed some down, that would have been admired by the ladies of your highness’s harem. ‘These, madam,’ says I, ‘are the best dates that are to be found in Cairo.’ She tasted them, and asked the price: I mentioned it. ‘They are dear,’ replied she, ‘but I must have them cheaper,’ and again she lifted her veil. ‘Madam,’ says I, ‘these dates are much too cheap at the price which I have mentioned; it really is impossible to take one para less; observe, madam,’ says I, ‘the beauty of them, feel the weight, and taste them,’ says I, ‘and you must acknowledge,’ says I, ‘that they are offered to you at a price which,’ says I—”