A few of the suppliants had even had the forethought to bring with them bags full of provisions, as if anticipating that their time of waiting might endure for several days.
At last, when I was growing really angry with him, Suleyman returned and told me: 'All is well, and we can now be going, if your Honour pleases.' 'I do please,' I rejoined indignantly.

'Why have you kept me waiting all this while?
I never wished to come at all into this place, and Allah knows that we have done no good by coming.

We have spoilt a morning which we might have spent upon the road.' 'Allah, Allah!' sighed Suleyman long-sufferingly.

'Your Honour is extremely hard to please.

Did not his Excellency talk to you exclusively, with every sign of the most lively pleasure for quite half an hour; whereas he scarcely deigned to throw a word to me, although I wooed his ear with language calculated to seduce the mind of kings?
I have some cause to be dejected at neglect from one so powerful; but you have every cause to be elated.