Page 679 of 1116

Then said he, "Let ten dirhams on every Ardabb be thy brokerage;

so take the price and keep in deposit four thousand and five

hundred dirhams for me; and, when I have made an end of selling

the other wares in my warehouses, I will come to thee and receive

the amount." "I will well," replied I and kissing his hand went

away, having made that day a profit of a thousand dirhams. He was

absent a month, at the end of which he came to me and asked,

"Where be the dirhams?" I rose and saluted him and answered to

him, "Wilt thou not eat somewhat in my house?" But he refused

with the remark, "Get the monies ready and I will presently

return and take them." Then he rode away.