O Lord of beneficence and benevolence, my parents were possessed of wealth and riches sufficient to provide their son when they died with ample means for a life long livelihood so that he might pass his days like a Grandee of the land in ease and joyance and delight.  I—­their only child—­had nor care nor trouble about any matter until one day of the days, when in the prime of manhood, I was a minded to take unto me a wife, a woman winsome and comely to look upon, that we might live together in mutual love and double blessedness.  But Allah Almighty willed not that a model helpmate become mine; nay, Destiny wedded me to grief and the direst misery.  I married a maid who in outward form and features was a model of beauty and loveliness without, however, one single gracious gift of mind or soul; and on the very second day after the wedding her evil nature began to manifest itself.  Thou art well aware, O Prince of True Believers, that by Moslem custom none may look upon the face of his betrothed before the marriage contract? nor after wedlock can he complain should his bride prove a shrew or a fright:  he must needs dwell with her in such content as he may and be thankful for his fate, be it fair or unfair.  When I saw first the face of my bride and learnt that it was passing comely, I joyed with exceeding joy and gave thanks to Almighty Allah that He had bestowed on me so charming a mate.  That night I slept with her in joy and love-delight; but next day when the noon meal was spread for me and her I found her not at table and sent to summon her; and after some delay, she came and sat her down.  I dissembled my annoyance and forbore for this late coming to find fault with her which I soon had ample reason to do.  It so happened that amongst the many dishes which were served up to us was a fine pilaff,[FN#259] of which I, according to the custom in our city, began to eat with a spoon; but she, in lieu of it pulled out an ear pick from her pocket and therewith fell to picking up the rice and ate it grain by grain.  Seeing this strange conduct I was sore amazed and fuming inwardly said in sweet tones, “O my Aminah,[FN#260] what be this way of eating? hast thou learnt it of thy people or art thou counting grains of rice purposing to make a hearty meal here after?  Thou hast eaten but ten or twenty during all this time.  Or haply thou art practicing thrift:  if so I would have thee know that Allah Almighty hath given me abundant store and fear not on that account; but do thou, O my dearling, as all do and eat as thou seest thy husband eat.”  I fondly thought that she would assuredly vouchsafe some words of thanks, but never a syllable spake she and ceased not picking up grain after grain:  nay more, in order to provoke me to greater displeasure, she paused for a long time between each.  Now when the next course of cakes came on she idly brake some bread and tossed a crumb or two into her mouth; in fact she ate less than would satisfy the stomach of a sparrow.  I marvelled much to see her so