Pagina 439 de 1116

After five years my eldest sister returned to me in beggar's gear

with her clothes in rags and tatters[FN#302] and a dirty old

mantilla;[FN#303] and truly she was in the foulest and sorriest

plight.

At first sight I did not know my own sister; but presently I

recognised her and said "What state is this?" "O our sister," she

replied, "Words cannot undo the done; and the reed of Destiny

hath run through what Allah decreed." Then I sent her to the bath

and dressed her in a suit of mine own, and boiled for her a

bouillon and brought her some good wine and said to her, "O my

sister, thou art the eldest, who still standest to us in the

stead of father and mother; and, as for the inheritance which

came to me as to you twain, Allah hath blessed it and prospered

it to me with increase; and my circumstances are easy, for I have

made much money by spinning and cleaning silk; and I and you will

share my wealth alike." I entreated her with all kindliness and

she abode with me a whole year, during which our thoughts and

fancies were always full of our other sister.