Pagina 686 de 1116

So, every Monday and Thursday I used to go on 'Change and sit in

the shop of one or other of the merchants, whilst the notary and

money changer went round to recover the monies from the traders,

till after the time of mid afternoon prayer, when they brought me

the amount, and I counted it and, sealing the bags, returned with

them to the Khan. On a certain day which happened to be a

Monday,[FN#520] I went to the Hammam and thence back to my Khan,

and sitting in my own room[FN#521] broke my fast with a cup of

wine, after which I slept a little. When I awoke I ate a chicken

and, perfuming my person, repaired to the shop of a merchant

hight Badr al-Din al-Bostani, or the Gardener,[FN#522] who

welcomed me; and we sat talking awhile till the bazar should

open.