"Oh, they're nothing, thanks," said Horace, feeling decidedly embarrassed. "I got stuck over my work for the moment, and it worried me a little--that's all." "Then thou hast not yet received the gifts which I commanded should be delivered at thy dwelling-place?" "Oh, indeed I have!" replied Horace; "and--and I really don't know how to thank you for them." "A few trifling presents," answered the Jinnee, "and by no means suited to thy dignity--yet the best in my power to bestow upon thee for the time being." "My dear sir, they simply overwhelm me with their magnificence! They're beyond all price, and--and I've no idea what to do with such a superabundance." "A superfluity of good things is good," was the Jinnee's sententious reply. "Not in my particular case. I--I quite feel your goodness and generosity; but, indeed, as I told you before, it's really impossible for me to accept any such reward." Fakrash's brows contracted slightly. "How sayest thou that it is impossible--seeing that these things are already in thy possession?" "I know," said Horace; "but--you won't be offended if I speak quite plainly?" "Art thou not even as a son to me, and can I be angered at any words of thine?" "Well," said Horace, with sudden hope, "honestly, then, I would very much rather--if you're sure you don't mind--that you would take them all back again." "What? Dost thou demand that I, Fakrash-el-Aamash, should consent to receive back the gifts I have bestowed? Are they, then, of so little value in thy sight?" "They're of too much value. If I took such a reward for--for a very ordinary service, I should never be able to respect myself again." "This is not the reasoning of an intelligent person," said the Jinnee, coldly. "If you think me a fool, I can't help it. I'm not an ungrateful fool, at all events. But I feel very strongly that I can't keep these gifts of yours." "So thou wouldst have me break the oath which I swore to reward thee fitly for thy kind action?" "But you _have_ rewarded me already," said Horace, "by contriving that a wealthy merchant should engage me to build him a residence. And--forgive my plain speaking--if you truly desire my happiness (as I am sure you do) you will relieve me of all these precious gems and merchandise, because, to be frank, they will _not_ make me happy. On the contrary, they are making me extremely uncomfortable." "In the days of old," said Fakrash, "all men pursued wealth; nor could any amass enough to satisfy his desires. Have riches, then, become so contemptible in mortal eyes that thou findest them but an encumbrance? Explain the matter."