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owner, that he might beg of him somewhat. Quoth the master of the house, “Who is at the door?” But my brother was silent and heard him repeat, in a loud voice, “Who is there?” Still he made no answer and presently heard the master come to the door and open it and say, “What dost thou want?” “Charity,” replied my brother, “for the love of God the Most High!” “Art thou blind?” asked the man; and my brother said, “Yes.” Quoth the other, “Give me thy hand.” So my brother put out his hand, thinking that he would give him something; but he took it and drawing him into the house, carried him up, from stair to stair, till they reached the housetop, my brother thinking the while that he would surely give him food or money. Then said he to my brother, “What dost thou want, O blind man?” “Charity, for the love of God!” repeated my brother. “God succour thee!”[1] answered the master of the house. “O man,” answered my brother, “why couldst thou not tell me this downstairs?” “O loser,” answered he, “why didst thou not answer me, when I asked who was at the door?” Quoth my brother, “What wilt thou with me now?” And the other replied, “I have nothing to give thee.” “Then take me down again,” said my brother. But he answered, “The way lies before thee.” So my brother rose and made his way down the stairs, till he came within twenty steps of the door, when his foot slipped and he rolled to the bottom and broke his head. Then he went out, knowing not whither to turn, and presently fell in with other two blind men, comrades of his, who enquired how he had fared that day. He told them what had passed and said to them, “O my brothers, I wish to take some of the money in my hands and provide my self with it.” Now the master of the house had followed him and heard what they said, but neither my brother nor his fellows knew of this. So my
- ↑ A formula of refusal.
