Читать книгу The House of Islâm онлайн

46 страница из 64

“For how much?” came again in the husky voice. “I give thee six piasters.”

“Be it thine at that price. Take it, my son, and go in peace.”

The grin departed from the camel driver’s face. His mouth fell open, and his eyes grew round with alarm. He set down the bottle hastily, and began muttering to himself.

“What ails thee? Why dost thou murmur in thy soul?” asked Shems-ud-dìn.

“Ma sh’ Allah! Thou askest why? Is there not cause enough, O my master? Is this precious attar—the soul of a thousand roses? By Allah, no, I think not. For six piasters! And if I bought it and carried it to her I love, and a jinni came out and deflowered her I love, and slew me and took my love away under the sea or among the roots of the mountains.... Aha, precious attar indeed! and cheap at six piasters!... But Ibrahìm is a wary man, one accustomed to look behind him. When he saw thy back toward him, when thou gavest him no greeting, he said in his soul, ‘O soul, be warned! Either this merchant will play the listless to drive the harder bargain, or else here is something strange, out of the natural——’”