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what words are these thou givest me?" "O cold of wit,"[FN#627]

cried he, "thou sayest to me what is not true and thou hidest thy

mind from me, but I know the whole business for certain and I

seek only to help thee this day with my best endeavour." I was

fearful lest my people or my neighbours should hear the Barber's

talk, so I kept silence for a long time whilst he finished

shaving my head; by which time the hour of prayer was come and

the Khutbah, or sermon, was about to follow. When he had done, I

said to him, "Go to thy friends with their meat and drink, and I

will await thy return. Then we will fare together." In this way I

hoped to pour oil on troubled waters and to trick the accursed

loon, so haply I might get quit of him; but he said, "Thou art

cozening me and thou wouldst go alone to thy appointment and cast

thyself into jeopardy, whence there will be no escape for thee.

Now by Allah! and again by Allah!