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But , my wife humbly stood up weeping before and wheedling the

slave, and saying, O my beloved, and very fruit of my heart,

there is none left to cheer me but thy dear self; and, if thou

cast me off who shall take me in, O my beloved, O light of my

eyes?" And she ceased not weeping and abasing herself to him

until he deigned be reconciled with her. Then was she right glad

and stood up and doffed her clothes, even to her petticoat

trousers, and said, "0 my master what hast thou here for thy

handmaiden to eat? Uncover the basin," he grumbled, "and thou

shalt find at the bottom the broiled bones of some rats we dined

on, pick at them, and then go to that slop pot where thou shalt

find some leavings of beer [FN#123] which thou mayest drink." So

she ate and drank and washed her hands, and went and lay down by

the side of the slave, upon the cane trash and, stripping herself

stark naked, she crept in with him under his foul coverlet and

his rags and tatters.