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This dame, the cateress, hired me to carry a load and took me

first to the shop of a vintner, then to the booth of a butcher;

thence to the stall of a fruiterer; thence to a grocer who also

sold dry fruits; thence to a confectioner and a perfumer cum

druggist and from him to this place where there happened to me

with you what happened. Such is my story and peace be on us all!"

At this the lady laughed and said, "Rub thy head and wend thy

ways!"; but he cried, "By Allah, I will not stump it till I hear

the stories of my companions." Then came forward one of the

Monoculars and began to tell her

The First Kalandar's Tale.