After a few minutes' pause, to recover himself from the ruffling of his temper, the pacha addressed the other man--"Now, Hussan, you will begin your story; and observe that I am rather in an ill-humour." "How can your highness be otherwise, after the annoyance of that bore Ali? I said so; `Ali,' _says I_--" "Go on with your story," repeated the pacha angrily. "It was about two years ago, your highness, when I was sitting at the door of the fruit-shop, which your highness might have observed when you saw us last night, that a young female, who seemed above the common class, came in, followed by a porter. `I want some melons,' says she. `I have very fine ones, so walk in,' _says I_, and I handed down from the upper shelf, where they were placed, four or five musk, and four or five water-melons. "`Now,' _says I_, `young woman, you'll observe that these are much finer melons,' _says I_, `than you usually can procure; therefore the lowest price that I can take,' _says I_, `is--'" "Why your _says I's_ are much worse than Ali's _you knows_; leave them out, if you please, and proceed with your story," cried the pacha, with increased ill-humour. "I will obey, your highness, if possible. I stated the lowest price, and she lifted up her veil--`I have an idea,' said she, as she allowed me to look upon one of the prettiest faces in the world, `that they are to be had cheaper.' "I was so struck with her beauty that I was quite speechless. `Am I not right?' said she, smiling. `From you, madam,' _says I_, `I can take nothing; put as many in the basket of your porter as you please.' She thanked me, and put into the basket all that I had handed down. "`Now,' _says she_, `I want some dates, the best and finest that you have.' I handed some down, that would have been admired by the ladies of your highness's harem. `These, madam,' _says I_, `are the best dates that are to be found in Cairo.' She tasted them, and asked the price: I mentioned it. `They are dear,' replied she, `but I must have them cheaper,' and again she lifted her veil. `Madam,' _says I_, `these dates are much too cheap at the price which I have mentioned; it really is impossible to take one para less; observe, madam,' _says I_, `the beauty of them, feel the weight, and taste them,' _says I_, `and you must acknowledge,' _says I_, `that they are offered to you at a price which,' _says I_--" "Holy Prophet!" cried the pacha in a rage; "I will hear no more of your _says I's_: if you cannot tell your story without them, you shall fare worse than Ali." "May it please your highness, how will it be possible for you to know what I said, unless I point out to you what I did say? I cannot tell my story without it." "I'll see that," replied the pacha, in a savage tone; and making a sign, the executioner made his appearance. "Now, then, go on with your story; and, executioner, after he has repeated _says I_ three times, off with his head! Go on."