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Thereupon they came to me ashamed and in abject case and made

their excuses to me, saying, Pardon our fault and be not wroth

with us;[FN#305] for although thou art younger in years yet art

thou older in wit; henceforth we will never make mention of

marriage; so take us back as thy hand maidens that we may eat our

mouthful." Quoth I, "Welcome to you, O my sisters, there is

naught dearer to me than you." And I took them in and redoubled

my kindness to them.