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After this I made the Ghusl or total ablution,[FN#592] and put on

pure clothes; then, taking what money I had left, locked up the

house and summoned courage and went to its owner to whom I paid a

year's rent, saying, "I am about to join my uncles in Cairo."

Presently I set out and, journeying to Egypt, foregathered with

my uncles who rejoiced in me, and I found that they had made an

end of selling their merchandise. They asked me, "What is the

cause of thy coming?"; and I answered "I longed for a sight of

you;" but did not let them know that I had any money with me. I

abode with them a year, enjoying the pleasures of Cairo and her

Nile,[FN#593] and squandering the rest of my money in feasting

and carousing till the time drew near for the departure of my

uncles, when I fled from them and hid myself.