Pagina 713 van 1116

There I found that she had left much substance in ready money and

slaves, mansions, lands and domains, and among her store houses

was a granary of sesame seed, whereof I sold part to thee; and I

had neither time nor inclination to take count with thee till I

had sold the rest of the stock in store; nor, indeed, even now

have I made an end of receiving the price. So I desire thou baulk

me not in what I am about to say to thee: twice have I eaten of

thy food and I wish to give thee as a present the monies for the

sesame which are by thee. Such is the cause of the cutting off my

right hand and my eating with my left." "Indeed," said I, "thou

hast shown me the utmost kindness and liberality." Then he asked

me, "Why shouldst thou not travel with me to my native country

whither I am about to return with Cairene and Alexandrian stuffs?