I told him I had the headache, which I hoped would have
satisfied him; but he took a candle, and saw my cheek was hurt.
"How comes this wound?" he said.
Though I did not consider myself as guilty of any great offense, yet I
could not think of owning the truth. Besides, to make such an avowal
to a husband, I considered as somewhat indecorous.
I therefore said, "That as I was going, under his permission, to
purchase a silk stuff, a camel,[37] carrying a load of wood, came so
near to me in a narrow street, that one of the sticks grazed my cheek,
but had not done me much hurt."
"If that is the case," said my husband, "to-morrow morning, before
sunrise, the grand vizier Giafar shall be informed of this insolence,
and cause all the camel drivers to be put to death."
"Pray, sir," said I, "let me beg of you to pardon them, for they are
not guilty."
[Footnote 37: The streets of Eastern cities are often so narrow as to
be blocked up with a wide camel load, or to prevent two horsemen
riding abreast. This is the cause of those footmen who run before
great men to prepare the way for them.]
"How, madam," he demanded, "what, then, am I to believe? Speak; for I
am resolved to know the truth from your own mouth."
"Sir," I replied, "I was taken with a giddiness, and fell down, and
that is the whole matter."
At these words my husband lost all patience.
"I have," said he, "too long listened to your tales.
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