human
Methinks the Lady Zubeydeh hath found fault with Mesrur's report of thy death, and hath sent her messenger to learn the truth. Therefore, to preserve my honour in Zubeydeh's eyes, is it not proper that _thou_ be dead?
gpt
That is so, said Abu-l-Hasan, and he extended himself on the floor, while his wife prepared his corpse for the grave. When the old woman came in she found Nuzhat-el-Fuad sitting at his head, weeping bitterly and tearing her hair.
human
O my mother! she wailed,
gpt
Go prepare thy husband's body for the grave! And in a fresh outburst of grief Nuzhet-el-Fuad cried,
human
Oh! would that Mesrur's tale were true! Would that I had died and Abu-l-Hasan had lived, for I am solitary and know not what to do.
gpt
Thou liest, hag! I myself saw Nuzhet-el-Fuad lying dead and Abu-l-Hasan alive.
human
It is thou that liest! retorted the old woman,
gpt
And Mesrur would have laid his hands upon her, but Zubeydeh interposed, weeping; whereupon the Khalifeh said,
human
Nay, nay; it seems we are all liars, and methinks the proper course is that we all go together to the house of Abu-l-Hasan and so see who lieth truly and who lieth falsely.
gpt
The matter cannot end here, had seated himself at the window to watch; and, when he saw the four approaching, he turned to his wife and remarked wisely,
human
O Nuzhet-el-Fuad! Verily, all is not a pancake that is slippery, and the pitcher that goes often to the fountain will one day be broken. Mesrur and the old woman have brewed trouble with their different tales. See! here come the Khalifeh and _his_ messenger, and the Lady Zubeydeh and _her_ messenger; and they are contending and disputing among themselves. Now, to save our reputation for veracity, we must _both_ be dead.
gpt
Alas! cried the Lady Zubeydeh, turning to the Khalifeh and Mesrur,
human
gpt
This is foolish talk, replied the Khalifeh, while Mesrur and the old woman glared at one another, speechless.
human
Did not Abu-l-Hasan come to me, plucking his beard and smiting his breast, and saying, 'Nuzhet-el-Fuad is dead?' Truly, then, she died first, and he, after we had made our wager, died of grief. I, therefore, have won.