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Updated: June 1, 2025
Abi Fressah asked these questions hastily, his beady eyes searching the other's face hungrily for a sign upon which he could seize to invite himself to a meal. "It is the hour of the mid-day meal. Goest thou, perchance, to thy pious home?" "Thither go I," said Ben Maslia. "My path lies in the same direction," said Abi Fressah. "It will be pleasant to walk together.
He was trying to keep his temper. The dish which Sheni held so tantalizingly under his very nose made him mad with hunger and desire. But Ben Maslia took no heed. He began to dilate upon the virtues of another piece of tapestry. "This," he said, "I bought in the famous bazaar of Damascus. It is hundreds of years old.
Abi Fressah was overwhelmed with surprise, but he was growing momentarily hungrier, and it was with difficulty he could restrain his impatience. "Yes, yes," he said, "I would fain gaze upon the outer door of thy dwelling." "Such an outer door," said Ben Maslia, "hast thou never seen. Its width...." and again he began to measure the street to indicate its dimensions.
"Ah, my excellent friend," Abi cried, warmly greeting Ben Maslia, "'tis almost an eternity since my unworthy eyes were cast upon thy pleasant countenance. Peace be on thee and thine unto the end of days." "Also to thee," returned Ben Maslia. "And whence comest thou? And whither goest thou, oh most hospitable friend?"
To his relief, however, they entered straightway, and Ben Maslia said to him, "Thou must be fatigued after thy walk. Rest awhile." Abi Fressah was truly grateful, and taking off his shoes he stretched himself on a comfortable couch. He dozed for a while, but was awakened by the noise of clattering dishes and the smell of savory cooking.
He endured agonies, especially when the friend invited Ben Maslia to dine with him, and Ben Maslia, after a few moment's hesitation, firmly declined. "I must apologize to thee for this delay," said Ben Maslia, when at length he left his friend, "but the matter was urgent. I will make up to thee by the magnificence of the feast."
"It must be as spacious as a palace," put in Abi Fressah. "Thou speakest truth," agreed Ben Maslia. "I will illustrate to thee the vast expanse of my new residence." He stopped in his walk, measured one hundred paces in the street, and intimated that this represented the width of the central courtyard.
"He is a descendant of kings. In ancient days his ancestors sat on a throne and ruled over a huge territory beyond the deserts of Africa. I obtained him during my journey in that country. And on that occasion I discovered this beautiful rug in a shop in Cairo." Saying which, Ben Maslia rose from his seat and fingered lovingly one of the hangings of the room. Abi Fressah did not rise.
Come," and he grasped Ben Maslia by the arm. "It is kind of thee, friend Abi Fressah," rejoined the other, "but I have built me a new abode on the other side of the city." Abi Fressah's face fell for a moment, but he was clever enough to take advantage of the news. "A new dwelling erected by the wealthy Ben Maslia," he said, winningly, "must be a building of magnificence, worth seeing."
Thereupon Ben Maslia took up the tale of the dining-room and its furniture, and he dragged his companion half a mile out of their path to show him the furniture emporium where he had purchased the tables and the couches. Then he retraced his steps to point out a building from which he had borrowed certain ideas of decoration. Abi Fressah's fat body was unused to such exertion.
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