"Surely; I have cared for that already."
Peer Khan now entered with the pilao; and seating ourselves, our fingers were soon buried in the midst of it.
"Now for the wine, Meer Sahib; the pilao is dry without it, and my throat lacks moisture."
"Here it is," said I, pouring it out into a cup; "see how it sparkles, like the fire of a ruby."
"Ay," said the Khan, after he had drained it to the bottom, "this is wine for the hooris; how one enjoys it! Think, Meer Sahib, how we true believers will quaff in Paradise (if what we get there will be as good), surrounded by twenty hooris, and each vying with the other to please us! But drink, man,—I would not take the whole."
"Nay, that bottle is your own share, Khan, and there is besides another for you; Peer Khan and I will divide this one between us. 'Tis a pity there is not more, or that the bottles were not larger."
"Ay, it is to be regretted certainly, Meer Sahib, but what there is, we must make the most of;" and he took another draught. "Only think," continued he, "of those infidels the Feringhees drinking such stuff as this every day. I now scarcely marvel at their doing great deeds when they are drunk. And is it not the case, Meer Sahib, that they all sit round a table and drink, and roar out songs, till they fall down intoxicated?"
"So I have been credibly informed, Khan. By Alla! they are jolly dogs."
"I wish I was in their service," said Ghuffoor Khan, after a short silence. "Do you think they would give one wine to drink when one wanted it?"
"I have not a doubt of it," I replied.