They do not understand these things at all.

They think us merely cruel--just as we, in the same unperceiving manner, think them merely covetous.

Yet I disagree with your good servant in the present case.

I think that you were right to spare that Nuri.' Rashid, who, with the rest of the assembly, had listened to the old man's speech with reverence, exclaimed: 'It is not just this Nuri or that bag of lentils, O my lord! My master is thus careless always.

He never locks the door when he goes out during my absence, though all that we possess is in that room.' 'Thy lord is young.' The old man smiled upon me kindly, and proceeded then to read me a mild lecture on my carelessness, detailing to me the precautions which he took himself, habitually, when shutting up his house or place of business, including pious formulas which he made me repeat after him.