When Ali Khaujeh came to Moussoul, some Persian merchants, with whom he had travelled from Aleppo, and with whom he had contracted a great friendship, had obtained so great an influence over him by their civilities and agreeable conversation, that they easily persuaded him not to leave them till he should have visited Sheerauz, from whence he might easily return to Bagdad with a considerable profit.  They led him through the towns of Sultania, Rei, Coam, Caschan, Ispahan, and from thence to Sheerauz; from whence he had the complaisance to bear them company to Hindoostan, and then returned with them again to Sheerauz; insomuch, that including the stay made in every town, he was seven years absent from Bagdad, whither he then resolved to return.

All this time his friend, with whom he had left his jar of olives, neither thought of him nor them; but at the time when he was on the road with a caravan from Sheerauz, one evening as this merchant was supping with his family, the discourse happened to fall upon olives, and his wife was desirous to eat some, saying, she had not tasted any for a long while.  “Now you speak of olives,” said the merchant, “you put me in mind of a jar which Ali Khaujeh left with me seven years ago, when he went to Mecca; and put it himself in my warehouse to be kept for him against he returned.  What is become of him I know not; though, when the caravan came back, they told me he was gone for Egypt.  Certainly he must be dead, since he has not returned in all this time; and we may eat the olives, if they prove good.  Give me a plate and a candle, I will go and fetch some of them, and we will taste them.”

“For God’s sake, husband,” said the wife, “do not commit so base an action; you know that nothing is more sacred than what is committed to one’s care and trust.  You say Ali Khaujeh has left Mecca, and is not returned; but you have been told that he is gone into Egypt; and how do you know but that he may be gone farther?  As you have no intelligence of his death, he may return to-morrow for any thing you can tell:  and what a disgrace would it be to you and your family if he should come, and you not restore him his jar in the same condition he left it?  I declare I have no desire for the olives, and will not taste them, for when I mentioned them it was only by way of conversation; besides, do you think that they can be good, after they have been kept so long?  They most be all mouldy, and spoiled; and if Ali Khaujeh should return, as I have a strong persuasion he will, and should find they had been opened, what will he think of your honour?  I beg of you to let them alone.”

The wife had not argued so long with her husband, but that she read his obstinacy in his face.  In short, he never regarded what she said, but got up, took a candle and a plate, and went into the warehouse.  “Well, husband,” said the wife again, “remember I have no hand in this business; and that you cannot lay any thing to my charge, if you should have cause to repent of your conduit.”