صفحة 335 من 1116

Then I walked till I reached the home of my friend, the Tailor,

whom I found most anxiously expecting me; indeed he was, as the

saying goes, on coals of fire for my account. And when he saw me

he said, "All night long my heart hath been heavy, fearing for

thee from wild beasts or other mischances. Now praise be to Allah

for thy safety!" I thanked him for his friendly solicitude and,

retiring to my corner, sat pondering and musing on what had

befallen me; and I blamed and chided myself for my meddlesome

folly and my frowardness in kicking the alcove.