The barber quitted his razor again, and took up his astrolabe a second time; and so left me half shaved, to go and see precisely what hour it was.  Back he came, and exclaimed, “Sir, I knew I was not mistaken, it wants three hours of noon.  I am sure of it, or else all the rules of astronomy are false.”  “Just heaven!” cried I, “my patience is exhausted, I can bear this no longer.  You cursed barber, you barber of mischief, I can scarcely forbear falling upon you and strangling you.”  “Softly, sir,” said he, very calmly, without being moved by my anger:  “are you not afraid of a relapse?  Be not in a passion, I am going to shave you this minute.”  In speaking these words, he clapped his astrolabe in his case, took up his razor, and passing it over the strap which was fixed to his belt, fell to shaving me again; but all the while he was thus employed, the dog could not forbear prattling.  “If you would be pleased, sir,” said he, “to tell me what the business is you are going about at noon, I could give you some advice that might be of use to you.”  To satisfy the fellow, I told him I was going to meet some friends at an entertainment at noon, to make merry with me on the recovery of ray health.

When the barber heard me talk of regaling; “God bless you this day, as well as all other days!” he cried:  “you put me in mind that yesterday I invited four or five friends to come and eat with me as this day; indeed I had forgotten the engagement, and have made no preparation for them.”  “Do not let that trouble you,” said I; “though I dine abroad, my larder is always well furnished.  I make you a present of all that it contains; and besides, I will order you as much wine as you have occasion for; I have excellent wine in my cellar; only you must hasten to finish shaving me:  and pray remember, as my father made you presents to encourage you to speak, I give you mine to induce you to be silent.”

He was not satisfied with my promise, but exclaimed, “God reward you, sir, for your kindness:  pray shew me these provisions now, that I may see if there will be enough to entertain my friends.  I would have them satisfied with the good fare I make them.”  “I have,” said I, “a lamb, six capons, a dozen chickens, and enough to make four courses.”  I ordered a slave to bring all before him, with four great pitchers of wine.  “It is very well,” returned the barber; “but we shall want fruit, and sauce for the meat.”  These I ordered likewise; but then he left off shaving, to look over every thing one after another; and this survey lasted almost half an hour.  I raged and stormed like a madman; but it signified nothing, the wretch made no more haste.  However, he took up his razor again, and shaved me for some minutes; then stopping suddenly, exclaimed, “I could not have believed, sir, that you would have been so liberal; I begin to perceive that your deceased father lives again in you.  Most certainly, I do not deserve the favours with which you have loaded