When the ladies heard the knocking, they all three got up to open the gate; but Safie was the nimblest; which her sisters perceiving, they resumed their seats.  Safie returning, said, “Sisters, we have a very fine opportunity of passing a good part of the night pleasantly, and if you agree with me, you will not suffer it to go by.  There are three calenders at our gate, at least they appear to be such by their habit; but what will surprise you is, they are all three blind of the right eye, and have their heads, beards, and eye-brows shaved.  They say, they are but just come to Bagdad, where they never were before; it being night, and not knowing where to find a lodging, they happened by chance to knock at this gate, and pray us, for the love of heaven, to have compassion on them, and receive them into the house.  They care not what place we put them in, provided they may be under shelter; they would be satisfied with a stable.  They are young and handsome, and seem not to want spirit.  But I cannot without laughing think of their amusing and uniform figure.”  Here Safie laughed so heartily, that the two sisters and the porter could not refrain from laughing also.  “My dear sisters,” said she, “you will permit them to come in; it is impossible but that with such persons as I have described them to be, we shall finish the day better than we began it; they will afford us diversion enough, and put us to no charge, because they desire shelter only for this night, and resolve to leave us as soon as day appears.”

Zobeide and Amene made some difficulty to grant Safie’s request, for reasons which she herself well knew.  But being very desirous to obtain this favour, they could not refuse her; “Go then,” said Zobeide, “and bring them in, but do not forget to acquaint them that they must not speak of any thing which does not concern them, and cause them to read what is written over the gate.”  Safie ran out with joy, and in a little time after returned with the three calenders.

At their entrance they made a profound obeisance to the ladies, who rose up to receive them, and told them courteously that they were welcome, that they were glad of the opportunity to oblige them, and to contribute towards relieving the fatigues of their journey, and at last invited them to sit down with them.

The magnificence of the place, and the civility they received, inspired the calenders with high respect for the ladies:  but, before they sat down, having by chance cast their eyes upon the porter, whom they saw clad almost like those devotees with whom they have continual disputes respecting several points of discipline, because they never shave their beards nor eye-brows; one of them said, “I believe we have got here one of our revolted Arabian brethren.”

The porter having his head warm with wine, took offence and with a fierce look, without stirring from his place, answered, “Sit you down, and do not meddle with what does not concern you:  have you not read the inscription over the gate?  Do not pretend to make people live after your fashion, but follow ours.”