'That is impossible!' cried the Vizier; 'as long as I forbid his going, he will wish to go, but as soon as I give my permission, he will change his mind and insist upon staying at home.' 'He will not have time to change his mind,' said the Magician, and then an attendant was summoned, and a few minutes later Hassan entered the room with a scowl on his face, whereupon the Vizier looked at the Magician as much as to say, 'There! what did I tell you!' 'Good afternoon, Hassan,' said the Magician. 'It isn't a good afternoon,' answered Hassan, scowling more fiercely than before. 'Well, never mind,' said the Magician; 'I daresay it will be a good afternoon to-morrow.' 'Oh yes, to-morrow, I daresay,' answered Hassan. 'What's the use of that?' 'It's very fortunate for me,' said the Magician; 'because I shall be on my travels. I start on a pleasant journey to-day.' 'I wish I might start on a journey,' grumbled Hassan. 'I've always wanted to go on a journey, only they'll never let me.' 'In the place I am going to,' said the Magician with an agreeable smile, 'everybody is allowed to ask for anything he sees.' 'What's the use of asking for things if you don't get them!' exclaimed Hassan. 'But in the place I am going to,' said the Magician, smiling still more pleasantly, if that were possible, 'you may ask for anything you see, and nothing you ask for is refused.' 'That must be a very nice place,' said Hassan; 'just the place I should like to live in, only of course my father wouldn't let me.' Then the Magician rose, paying no attention to the reproachful glances which the poor Vizier cast upon his son, and crossing the room, he stopped at Hassan's side. 'If you like to come with me on a short visit, you may do so,' he said. 'I shouldn't like it at all,' said Hassan. 'I think it would be horrid.' 'But,' exclaimed the Vizier angrily, 'you said you would like to go.' 'Not for a short visit,' answered Hassan. 'What's the use of a short visit?' 'Very well,' said the Magician, smiling agreeably; 'you may stay as long as you please. And you shall have everything you see.' 'Thank you,' answered Hassan, though he did not look very thankful, 'I don't want anything.' 'Then, come along,' cried the Magician, stepping towards the door. 'But I am not going,' answered Hassan. 'I shan't go. I don't want to go.' 'Come along,' said the Magician cheerfully, and he fixed his small bright eyes on Hassan's face as he spoke. Although the Magician was some yards away, Hassan felt obliged to rise from his chair, and to follow him out into the corridor. Hassan would far sooner have stayed where he was, yet he knew he could not stay even to say good-bye to his father, and he began to feel fonder of the Vizier than he had ever felt before.