Page:Folk-lore of the Holy Land.djvu/183

warmth, “you know that we are comrades and share equally in all that ‘En Nusìb’^[1] sends us. I shall, of course, let you have half the money, that is, five hundred dinârs.”

“Very well,” said Karakoz, “the expedient I would recommend is a simple one. Whoever asks you about the money, whether the fool who left it with you, or the Kadi, or anyone, be sure in every case, to answer: ‘Shûrûlûb.’”

“Your advice is good, and I shall follow it,” said ’Iweyz.

Several months passed, and at last one day, the young man to whom the money belonged came to ’Iweyz and asked him for it, as he had the intention of starting business.

“Pth, tth, th,” said the rascal ’Iweyz, stammering and spluttering, “‘ pth, tth, th, sh, th, shûrûlûb.”

His visitor was surprised, but explained again that he wanted the money.

“Pth, tth, th, sh, th, shûrûlûb,” answered ’Iweyz gravely.

“My money, give me back my money!” shouted the youth.

“Pth, tth, th, sh, th, shûrûlûb,” replied the hypocrite with a look of surprise and deprecation.

“If you do not give me back my money at once,” angrily said the owner, “I shall accuse you to the Kadi.”

‘“‘Pth, tth, th, sh, th, shûrûlûb,” retorted ’Iweyz assuming an air of the greatest indifference.

Finding that all entreaties, expostulations, and