But the four young men, he introduced to his son, and invited them to be his constant companions; and it was arranged that the son should read with the young writer, make short journeys with the painter, that the merchant should share in his songs and dances, and the other young man should arrange all the entertainments. They too received presents, and left the house of the sheik with light hearts.
"Whom have we to thank for all this?" said they to one another; "whom but the old man? Who could have foreseen all this, when we stood before this house and declaimed against the sheik?"
"And how easily we might have been led into turning a deaf ear to the discourses of the old man, or even into making sport of him? For he looked so ragged and poor, who would have suspected that he was the wise Mustapha?"
"And--wonderful coincidence--was it not here that we gave expression to our wishes?" said the writer. "One would travel, another see singing and dancing, the third have good company, and I----read and hear stories; and are not all our wishes fulfilled? May I not read all the sheik's books, and buy as many more as I choose?"
"And may not I arrange the banquets and superintend all his entertainments, and be present at them myself?" said the other.
"And I, whenever my heart is desirous of hearing songs and stringed instruments, may I not go and ask for his slaves?"
"And I," cried the painter; "until to-day I was poor, and could not set foot outside the town; and now I can travel where I choose."
"Yes," repeated they all, "it was fortunate that we accompanied the old man, else who knows what would have become of us?"
So they spoke and went cheerful and happy to their homes.