If you are truly a lord, then set us free, so that people may tell of your virtue, and you will have over us a favor not to be denied; and if you are in need, then take all we possess—only grant us our lives, for we have left behind us our husbands and our children. And scarcely had she finished speaking when the jingling of the bracelets and jewels on Fatima's wrists had worked upon his soul like magic, and he fell upon the two of them roughly, stripping them of every ornament. Fatima was not dismayed at this, nor did she despair; rather she found an excuse for the thief in that sinful greed, and she began scattering what she had of coins and jew-elry, content with that ransom, until the thief had drained the last of her money. And when he had gone from her she leaned over her sister, calming her fright, and said: Good tidings, sister! Rise, for we have escaped the snares of this wretch. Fatima's sleeves were still rolled back from her wrists—and behold, they were bare of every ornament, after having been laden with gold. Layla was astounded at this and said with anguish and burning: Did you not keep back for us something with which to buy the bitter medicine? Fatima smiled a mournful smile and answered, the tears welling in her eyes: We have bought, sister, what is dearer and more precious than all of this; so do not grieve over what is past, for it is God alone who grants happiness, awakens hope, and guides to the right path.

The sun had climbed high and the oppression of the heat had grown fierce, and the two sisters set off from that pestilent place, crossing the scorching earth, silent and anguished, as though touched with madness, after having witnessed that abominable happening, the like of which they had never heard in the legends of the ancients—a happening whose events had closed in upon them and left them prey to their thoughts in unraveling its riddles. And while they were sunk in their daze a carriage passed by them,

and they boarded it straightway to their father's house. After they had breathed the air of the house and rested from the hardship of the journey, Fatima said gently to her sister: And now, what do you mean to do, Layla, after meeting such disappointment as you have met in seeking the bitter medicine? You have drained the cup of humiliation and disgrace, and it was more bitter than that medicine! Will you not put Husni out of mind and stay with us in ease and peace until this spell of folly and passion runs its course and he comes back to his senses?? Layla bowed her head a long while—not to prepare an answer, but to summon up in her imagination the image of Husni, to reproach him and settle accounts with him. And there rose before her the picture of her house, adorned with the magic of love and beauty, and she found nothing to equal life in it with her husband; and she went searching the corners of her soul for some

other means of mending what lay between them—but how could she, when the husband was still a captive in the prison of his new Eve.

Some days passed after their parting, during which all contact between the two of them was cut off. Layla wasted away and lay sleepless and wakeful, and family and friends pressed her to leave the town to refresh her spirits; but she refused to do anything but remain near Husni, gleaning news of him, still consoling herself with the hope of returning to her house, and hoping it was but a spell of folly between him and Maliha that would soon run its course.

On one of those evenings Layla heard from afar gunshots piercing the veils of space; she trembled and was shaken, and felt her heart about to leap from her breast. She threw off her wrap and hurried to the window, answering the call

Quaker Oats Breakfast

A "Quaker Oats" breakfast nourishes children and helps them grow

A "Quaker Oats" breakfast gives:

More energy... owing to its abundance of carbohydrate matter

More strength... owing to its abundance of body-building protein matter

More soundness of nerve... owing to its abundance of vitamin B

More good cheer... because its delicious taste makes it a favorite

Boil two cups of water and add a little salt; add a cup of "Quaker Oats" while it is boiling, stir it on the fire for two minutes, and serve it.

QUAKER QUICK COOKING WHITE OATS

The Quaker Oats Company

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