THE MONBUSHO CONVERSATIONAL READERS
No.5

FIRST PART.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.

Lesson 1.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	Well, now we have got on so far with our English, I think we had better take a new departure in the matter of our reading.
Pupil.	How so, Sir?  Aren't you going to give us any more anecdotes, like those we have had hitherto?
Teacher.	No, I shall give you some much longer stories.
Pupil.	What is the first one to be?
Teacher.	"Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves."  It is one of the best-known tales in the "Arabian Nights."
Pupil.	Oh! that will be very nice.  I have long wanted to read the "Arabian Nights."  I heard some one say the other day that a Japanese translation had been published.  But it will be much more interesting to read it in the original.
Teacher.	The English edition isn't the original.  The English edition is a translation too.
Pupil.	Really!  I am surprised.  Then in what language was the book originally written?
Teacher.	In Arabic.  That is why it is called "The Arabian Nights."
Pupil.	Is it true that foreigners all have the "Arabian Nights" at their fingers' ends?
Teacher.	Yes, I suppose there is hardly any one who has not read them over and over again. -- However, don't let us waste any more time, but let us set to at once.  The story is as follows: --
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.(1.)
	In a certain town of Persia there lived two brothers one of whom was called Cassim, and the other Ali Baba.  Their father, at his death, left them but a very moderate fortune, which they divided equally between them.  It might, therefore, naturally have been conjectured that their riches would be the same.  Fate, however, ordained it otherwise.
	Cassim married a woman who, very soon after wedding, became heiress to a well-furnished shop, a warehouse filled with merchandise, and considerable landed property.  He thus found himself quite at his ease, and ranked as one of the richest merchants in the city.  Ali Baba, on the other hand, who had taken a wife in no better circumstances than his own, lived in a very small way, and was obliged to gain his livelihood by going to cut wood in a neighboring forest, and hawking it about the town on three asses, which formed the whole of his capital.

Lesson 2.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	Why would it have been natural to suppose that the two brothers, Cassim and Ali Baba, possessed the same amount of money?
Pupil.	Because their father, at his death, had divided his small fortune equally between them.
Teacher.	Then how did it come about that, while Cassim was well off, Ali Baba was badly off?
Pupil.	By Cassim's marrying a woman who, soon after her wedding, inherited considerable property both in land and houses, whereas Ali Baba's bride was in no better circumstances than he was himself.
Teacher.	What difference in their way of living was caused by this difference in their means?
Pupil.	Cassim found himself quite at his case, and ranked as one of the richest merchants in the city; but poor Ali Baba had to live in a very small way.
Teacher.	How did Ali Baba gain his livelihood?
Pupil.	By cutting wood in a neighboring forest, and hawking it about the town on three donkeys, which formed the whole of his capital.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.(2.)
	Ali Baba went one day to the forest, as usual, and had nearly finished cutting as much wood as his asses could carry, when he perceived a thick cloud of dust rising high in the air.  He looked at it attentively, and descried a numerous company of horsemen, who were rapidly approaching.  Although there was no talk of robbers in that part of the country, Ali Baba nevertheless conjectured that such must be the character of this band.  So, without giving any thought to his asses, his first and only care was to save himself.  Quick as lightning, he climbed a large, leafy tree, from amidst whose branches he could see all that went on below, without being seen.  The tree itself grew at the base of a rock, so steep and craggy that the top was evidently inaccessible.
	The men, who were all well-mounted and equipped, were fine-looking, powerful fellows.  But Ali Baba's guess as to their character was perfectly justified.  They were a band of robbers, numbering forty in all, who carried on their system of plunder at a considerable distance, and only used this place as a rendez-vous.  No sooner had they alighted, than each of them unbridled his horse, and hung over its head a bad filled with barley, which he had brought with him.  Then, having tethered their horses to the trunks of trees, they shouldered their traveling bags, and followed their captain to the bottom of the rock, at the very spot where grew the tree in which Ali Baba was concealed.
	After the robbers had made their way through some shrubs and bushes that grew there, the captain slowly and distinctly pronounced these words, Open, Sesame! -- whereupon a door in the rock opened.  The robbers passed through this door, which then closed upon them.

Lesson 3.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What did Ali Baba notice one day when he had nearly finished cutting wood in the forest?
Pupil.	He noticed a thick cloud of dust rising high in the air, and soon he saw that it was caused by a company of horsemen, who were rapidly approaching the place where he was.
Teacher.	What impression did the sight of them make on him?
Pupil.	He instantly guessed them to be robbers; and so, without giving any thought to his donkeys, his first and only care was to save himself.
Teacher.	How did he do so?
Pupil.	By climbing a large, leafy tree, and sitting on a branch, from where he could see and hear everything, without being seen.
Teacher.	Where did this tree grow?
Pupil.	At the base of a rock, so steep and craggy that the top was evidently inaccessible.
Teacher.	Was Ali Baba justified in believing the men to be robbers?
Pupil.	Yes, Sir; they were a band of robbers, -- forty in all, -- who carried on their system of plunder at a distance, and used this cave as a rendez-vous.
Teacher.	What did they do after they had dismounted?
Pupil.	They unbridled their horses, tethered them to the trunks of various trees, and fed them with barley.
Teacher.	And then?
Pupil.	Their chief led them to the bottom of the rock, in which, when he had pronounced the words Open, Sesame! a door immediately opened. -- Sir, how could the words Open, Sesame! make a door open?  And what does sesame mean?
Teacher.	Sesame is the name of a kind of grain, from which oil is extracted.  But in this story you must look on the words Open, Sesame! and Shut, Sesame! as a spell or magic charm, which enabled him who used them to make that particular door open and shut.  The phrase has become proverbial.
Pupil.	What did the forty thieves use their traveling bags for?
Teacher.	To bring to the cave in the rock the gold and silver and the other things which they had stolen. --
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES. (3.)
	They stood inside the rock for some time, during which Ali Baba was compelled to remain in hiding.  At length, however, the door opened again and the forty men made their appearance.  After the captain had seen them all pass out before him, he pronounced the words Shut, Sesame! and the door instantly closed.  The robbers then remounted, and galloped away.  Ali Baba followed them with his eyes as far as he could, and did not venture down the tree till they were well out of sight; for he was haunted by the fear that they might have forgotten something, and would come back to fetch it, in which case he would probably he murdered.
	As Ali Baba recollected the words which the captain of the band of robbers had made use of to open and shut the door, he had the curiosity to try if the same effect would be produced by his pronouncing them.  So, making his way through the bushes, he stood in front of the door, and called out Open, Sesame! whereupon it instantly flew wide open.

Lesson 4.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	How long did Ali Baba remain in hiding?
Pupil.	All the time the robbers were inside the rock; and even after they had galloped away, he had not venture down the tree till they were well out of sight.
Teacher.	What made him so cautious?
Pupil.	The fear that the robbers might have forgotten something, and would come back to fetch it, in which case he would probably be murdered.
Teacher.	What did Ali Baba do as soon as the robbers were quite out of sight?
Pupil.	He climbed down the tree in which he had been hiding, and thought he would try to get inside the cave.
Teacher.	How did he hope to be able to do so?
Pupil.	By using the magic words Open, Sesame! which he had heard the captain of the band of robbers call out.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.(4.)
	Ali Baba, who had expected to find only a low, dark cave, was astonished at seeing a spacious, well-lighted, and vaulted storehouse, dug out of the rock, and higher than a man could reach.  It received its light from the top of the rock, which was cut out in a similar manner.  He observed in it a large quantity of provisions, numerous bales of rich merchandise piled up, silk stuffs and brocades, rich carpets, and, besides all this, great quantities of gold and silver coins, some in heaps, and some in large leather bags placed one upon another.  Evidently the cave had been used for centuries by generations of robbers.  
	Ali Baba did not hesitate long as to the course he should pursue.  He went into the cave, and, as soon as he was there, the door shut; but, as he knew the spell by which to open it, this caused him no uneasiness.  He paid no attention to the silver and the rich silks and brocades, but made straight for the gold coin, of which he collected as many bags as his three asses could carry, loaded them, and covered each load with wood, in order to escape detection.  When he had finished doing this, he closed the door by means of the magic words Shut, Sesame! and then made the best of his way back to the town.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What did Ali Baba find on getting inside the rock?
Pupil.	He found a spacious, well-lighted store-house, instead of the low, dark cave which he had expected.
Teacher.	How was the place lighted?
Pupil.	By an opening cut in the top of the rock.
Teacher.	What made Ali Baba think that the place had been used for centuries?
Pupil.	The enormous quantity of treasure that was stowed away there.

Lesson 5.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What do you think of Ali Baba's discovery of the robbers' cave, with all their gold and silver?
Pupil.	I think he was a very lucky fellow.  It was a piece of good fortune which does not happen to everybody.  I wish it could happen to me.
Teacher.	Why didn't he carry off any of the silver coin and the bales of rich merchandise?
Pupil.	I suppose it was because, as he had only three donkeys with him, and couldn't hope to carry away more than a fraction of all the treasures in the cave, he thought it best to take only the most valuable of all, that is to say, the gold.
Teacher.	Of course.  That showed him to be a prudent fellow.
Pupil.	Sir, do you think it was quite right of him to carry off the gold, although it only belonged to robbers?
Teacher.	That is a very delicate question.  But you will see in this very lesson what Ali Baba himself and his wife thought of it. -- TO go back to the text: how did Ali Baba carry the gold away?
Pupil.	He loaded it on his three donkeys, covering each load over with wood, in order to avoid detection.
Teacher.	What did he do when he had finished loading the bags of gold on his donkeys?
Pupil.	He closed the door of the cave by means of the magic words Shut, Sesame! and then made the best of his way back to the town.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES. (5.)
	On reaching home, Ali Baba drove his asses into a small yard, shut the gate carefully, and threw off the wood that covered the bags.  These he then carried into the house, and ranged them in order before his wife, who was sitting upon a sofa.  His wife handled the bags, and, finding them full of money, suspected that her husband had been robbing, insomuch that, when he had brought them all in, she could not help saying, "Ali Baba, is it possible that you should…" -- "By quiet, my dear!" interrupted Ali Baba; "do not fret yourself.  I am no thief, unless indeed he can be one who steals from thieves."  Then he told her the whole story, under the seal of the greatest secrecy; and, when he had emptied the contents of the sacks onto the floor, the great heap of gold quite dazzled her eyes.
	Her next thought was to count the money; but Ali Baba dissuaded her from this, as there was so much of it that she would never have done counting.  "Still," replied his wife, "it is but right that we should know approximately how much we have.  If I am not to count it, I can at least measure it.  I will go and borrow a small measure in the neighborhood." -- "What you want to do, wife," said Ali Baba, "is perfectly useless.  If you will take my advice, you will give up the idea.  I shall dig a pit, and bury the money in it.  There is no time to be lost."  However, his wife was not to be persuaded.  "While you are digging the pit," retorted she, "I will run and get the measure, and shall have finished measuring the money before you are ready to bury it." -- "As you choose," said Ali Baba, who saw that further argument was useless: "only mind you don't betray our secret."

Lesson 6.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What did Ali Baba do after reaching home and unloading his donkeys?
Pupil.	He carried the bags of gold into the house, to show to his wife.
Teacher.	What horrible suspicion did the sight of the gold awake in her mind?
Pupil.	The suspicion that her husband had been robbing.  But he immediately quieted her mind by telling her that he was no thief, unless indeed that man can be called a thief who steals from thieves. -- Sir, why did she want to count the money?
Teacher.	I suppose she was of an inquisitive disposition.  Most women are.
Pupil.	And why did Ali Baba try to dissuade her both from counting and from measuring it?
Teacher.	Because he knew it was useless trouble. -- Did he succeed in persuading her to give up the idea?
Pupil.	No, she insisted on it that it was but right they should know approximately how much they had, and said that she would run and borrow a small measure in the neighborhood, to measure it with.
Teacher.	What did Ali Baba intend to do meanwhile?
Pupil.	To dig a pit in his yard, to bury the money in.
Teacher.	What was Ali Baba's last injunction to his wife, as she ran off to borrow the measure?
Pupil.	To mind not to betray their secret.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.(6.)
	So off she ran to the house of her brother-in-low, Cassim, who lived hard by.  Cassim was not at home.  She therefore addressed herself to his wife, requesting the loan of a measure for a few minutes.  Cassim's wife said that she would lend it with pleasure, and begged her to wait a moment while she went to fetch it in the kitchen.  But, knowing how badly off Ali Baba was, and curious to find out what sort of grain it could be that his wife was desirous of measuring, she greased the bottom of the measure with some tallow, and then brought it with an excuse for having kept her visitor waiting so long.  Ali Baba's wife forthwith took the measure home, and measured the gold with it, filling and emptying it a great number of times, to her considerable satisfaction.
	By this time the pit was dug.  So Ali Baba buried the gold, while his wife, to prove her punctuality and her respect for her sister-in-law, hurried back to return the measure, but without noticing that a piece of gold had stuck to the tallow on the bottom of it.  "Here!" said she, when she got to the house, "you see I have not kept your measure long.  Many thanks for your kindness in lending it to me." -- Scarcely was her back turned, than Cassim's wife looked at the bottom of the measure; and what was not her amazement to see a piece of gold sticking to it!

Lesson 7.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	Where did Ali Baba's wife run to borrow the measure?
Pupil.	To the house of her brother-in-law, Cassim, who lived close by.
Teacher.	Did he consent to lent it to her?
Pupil.	He was not at home at the time.  So she addressed herself to his wife, who said she would lend it with pleasure, and begged her to wait a moment while she went to fetch it in the kitchen.
Teacher.	Why did Cassim's wife do such an unusual thing as to grease the bottom of the measure with tallow?
Pupil.	Because she was curious to find out what sort of grain her sister-in-law, whom she knew to be very badly off, could want to measure.  The object of putting the tallow was to make some of the grain stick, and thus give her the information she wanted.
Teacher.	Was Ali Baba's wife satisfied with the amount of the gold?
Pupil.	Oh! yes; it filled the measure ever so many times.
Teacher.	What did Ali Baba do with the gold after it had all been measured?
Pupil.	He buried it in the pit which he had dug in his yard.
Teacher.	Why was his wife in such a hurry to return the measure?
Pupil.	In order to prove her punctuality and her respect for her sister-in-law.
Teacher.	What did she fail to notice?
Pupil.	The piece of gold, which had stuck to the tallow at the bottom of the measure.
Teacher.	What did she say to her sister-in-law?
Pupil.	She thanked her for her kindness in lending the measure.
Teacher.	What did Cassim's wife do as soon as Ali Baba's wife's back was turned?
Pupil.	She looked at the bottom of the measure, and was amazed to see a piece of gold sticking to it.
Teacher.	No wonder!  It was something to be astonished at.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.(7.)
	It seemed an age to Cassim's wife before her husband came home that evening, so impatient was she to inform him of the extraordinary occurrence.  When he did come home, the first thing she said was: "Cassim, you consider yourself rich, and Ali Baba poor; but you are very much mistaken.  Ali Baba must be infinitely wealthier than you are.  He does not count his money, as you do; he measures it."  And thereupon she told him of the stratagem to which she owed the discovery, and showed him the gold coin, which was such an ancient one that the very name of the prince which was engraved on it was unknown to both of them.  Far from rejoicing at his brother's good fortune, Cassim felt nothing but envy.  He passed a sleepless night, and next morning before sunrise hastened to Ali Baba's house to question him about the matter.

Lesson 8.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	Why did it seem an age to Cassim's wife before her husband came home that evening?
Pupil.	Because she was impatient to tell him the extraordinary story of the measure and the piece of gold. 
Teacher.	Why was Cassim mistaken in considering himself wealthier than Ali Baba?
Pupil.	Because Cassim, like most other people, only counted his gold, whereas Ali Baba had so much that he was obliged to measure it.
Teacher.	Did Cassim's wife tell him of the stratagem to which she owed this discovery?
Pupil.	Yes, Sir, she told him everything, and also showed him the gold coin which had stuck to the tallow at the bottom of the measure.  It was such an ancient one, that the very name of the prince which was engraved on it was unknown to both of them.
Teacher.	Did Cassim rejoice at his brother's good fortune?
Pupil.	Far from it.  He felt nothing but envy, and passed a sleepless night in consequence.
Teacher.	When did he go to Ali Baba to question him about the matter?
Pupil.	Next morning before sunrise.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES. (8.)
	On reaching Ali Baba's house, Cassim, without any of the kind words which brotherly affection should have dictated, simply said: "You are very reserved about your affairs.  You pretend to be miserably poor, and yet you measure your gold." -- "How, so, brother?" replied Ali Baba; "pray explain yourself." -- "Do not feign ignorance," said Cassim, showing him the coin that his wife had given him.  "How many of these coins have you?  My wife found this one yesterday sticking to the measure which you sent to borrow." -- From these words Ali Baba saw that his wife's folly and obstinacy had caused their secret to be discovered.  So he made a clean breast of the affair to Cassim, and even went so far as to offer to share the treasure with him. -- "Of course," replied Cassim haughtily; that I fully expect.  But if you do not also give me such indications as may enable me to visit the cave alone, should I feel so disposed, I shall report you to the authorities; and then you will lose all that you have, and I shall be rewarded for having informed against you." -- Ali Baba, led rather by his natural goodness of heart than intimidated by the insolent menaces of his cruel brother, gave Cassim the desired information, and even told him the words he must pronounce to make the door of the cave open and shut.
	Cassim's one idea was to gain possession of the whole treasure.  So he set off next morning before break of day with ten mules laden with large chests, which he meant to fill, purposing to take a much larger number next time, if the sums he might find in the cave should warrant it.  By the help of his brother's directions he reached the spot without difficulty, and, when he had uttered the words Open, Sesame! the door of the cave at once flew open.  He entered, and it closed again upon him.

Lesson 9.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	Did Cassim speak to Ali Baba in a brotherly manner?
Pupil.	No, Sir; he accused him of deceit, -- of pretending to be poor, when he was really so rich as to be obliged to measure his gold instead of counting it.
Teacher.	What did Ali Baba do when he saw that his wife's folly had caused his secret to be revealed?
Pupil.	He made a clean breast of the whole affair to Cassim, and even went so far as to offer to share the treasure with him.
Teacher.	Was Cassim satisfied with this?
Pupil.	By no means.  He threatened Ali Baba with reporting him to the authorities, if he did not give him such indications of the whereabouts of the cave as should enable him to visit it alone, if he felt so disposed at any time.
Teacher.	Was Ali Baba, intimidated by this threat?
Pupil.	Hardly; but, out of natural goodness of heart, he gave Cassim the desired information, including the magic words to make the door of the cave open and shut.
Teacher.	What did Cassim do, in order to gain possession of the whole treasure?
Pupil.	He set off early next morning with ten mules laden with large chests, which he meant to fill, purposing to take a much larger number next time, if the sums he might find in the cave should warrant it.
Teacher.	Did his brother's directions help him to find the cave?
Pupil	Yes, Sir, he found it without difficulty, and the door flew open as soon as he had uttered the words Open, Sesame! 
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.(9.)
	The riches in the cave far surpassed the expectations which Ali Baba's account had led him to conceive.  Avaricious as he was, he could have spent the whole day feasting his eyes on the sight of so much gold.  But time pressed, and he knew he must tear himself away.  So, having collected together bags of gold sufficient to load his ten mules, he drew near to the door.  But his thoughts were so full of avaricious schemes that he did not recollect the important words Open, Sesame! but said Open, Barley! instead.  Astonished to see that the door remained closed, he named various other kinds of grain, but all to no purpose: -- the door did not move an inch.  Cassim was not prepared for an adventure of this nature, and was so overpowered by fear, that, the more he endeavored to remember the word Sesame, the more was his memory confused.  He remained as hopelessly oblivious of the word as if he had never heard it pronounced.  Then despair took possession of him.  He threw the sacks of gold on the ground, and paced up and down the cave, cursing the riches which had now lost all charm for him.

Lesson 10.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	Were Cassim's expectations satisfied by the riches which he found in the cave?
Pupil.	Yes, Sir; they were more than satisfied.  If he hadn't known that time pressed, he could have spent the whole day feasting his eyes on the sight of so much gold.
Teacher.	What effect did these avaricious thoughts have upon his memory?
Pupil.	They made him forget the words Open, Sesame! without which it was impossible to get the door to open.
Teacher.	What did he say instead of Sesame?
Pupil.	First, he said Barley, and then he named various other kinds of grain, but all to no purpose: the door did not move an inch.
Teacher.	Was Cassim prepared for this sort of adventure?
Pupil.	Not in the least; and so overpowered was he by fear, that, the more he tried to remember the word Sesame, the more absolutely he forgot it, just as if he had never heard it pronounced.
Teacher.	What did he do when despair had taken possession of him?
Pupil.	He threw the sacks of gold on the ground, and paced up and down the cave, cursing the riches which had now lost all charm for him.
Teacher.	It was indeed a fearful situation for him to find himself in.
Pupil.	I suppose it was a lesson to him not to be so avaricious.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES. (10.)
	About midnight Cassim heard the trampling of horses' hoofs approaching the cave.  It was the Forty Thieves, who had come to visit their treasure-house, and who were much surprised to find ten mules, laden with chests, and browsing outside the door.  Evidently some one was there.  So, while half the men were employed in searching about the rock for the owner of the mules, the rest advanced, sword in hand, to the door, with their captain at the head.  Cassim resolved to make one desperate effort to save his life.  So, no sooner had the captain of the band uttered the magic word Sesame, which Cassim had so vainly tortured his brain to remember, than the latter rushed out with such violence as to throw the captain on the ground.  He could not, however, escape the other thieves, who dispatched him on the spot with their sabers.
	It remained a mystery to the robber-band how their victim could ever have got inside the cave; for of course they knew nothing of their having been seen and overheard two days before by Ali Baba, or of what had passed since then between the two brothers; neither did they, when examining the interior of the cave, miss the few bags of gold which Ali Baba had carried away.  After consulting awhile, they came to the conclusion that, as others besides Cassim might have penetrated their secret, the best plan would be to frighten away future trespassers by dividing Cassim's corpse into four quarters, and hanging them up inside the cave on either side of the door.  This done, they departed to scour the country, and pounce upon defenseless caravans.

Lesson 11.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What did Cassim hear about midnight?
Pupil.	The trampling of horses' hoofs, which showed that the Forty Thieves were coming to visit their treasure-house.
Teacher.	Did they become aware of Cassim's presence?
Pupil.	Yes, Sir, they noticed the mules browsing outside the door of the cave; and so half of them searched the rock for the owner of these mules, while the other half advanced, sword in hand, to the door, with their captain at the head.
Teacher.	What effort did Cassim make to save his life?
Pupil.	He rushed furiously out of the door as soon as the words Open, Sesame! had been uttered by the captain.
Teacher.	Did he succeed in escaping?
Pupil.	No, Sir: he did indeed throw the captain on the ground, but he was dispatched by the other thieves.
Teacher.	Why did it remain a mystery to the Forty Thieves how Cassim could have got inside the cave?
Pupil.	Because they did not know that Ali Baba had overheard them, and had since then communicated the secret to his brother.
Teacher.	What plan did they decide on, as being the one most likely to frighten away future trespassers?
Pupil.	That of cutting Cassim's corpse into four quarters, and hanging them up inside the cave on either side of the door.
Teacher.	What did they do when they had carried this plan into execution?
Pupil.	They rode away, to scour the country and pounce upon defenseless caravans.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.(11.)
	Meanwhile Cassim's wife had begun to feel very uneasy.  When night came, and still her husband did not return, she went to Ali Baba, and said: "Brother, you are no doubt aware that Cassim went to the forest this morning.  Now it is dark, and he is not home yet.  I greatly fear that some accident must have befallen him."
	Now Ali Baba had indeed suspected his brother's intention, and for that reason had desisted from visiting the cave that day, in order to offend him.  However, he said nothing ungracious to his sister-in-law, but consoled her by suggesting that Cassim had probably thought it prudent to wait till nightfall to venture home.  So she went back to her own house, and waited till midnight; but still no Cassim.  Then her fears redoubled, and the worst of it was that she could not even relieve her feelings by cries, as that would have awakened the suspicious of the neighbors.  She now repented the silly curiosity, the despicable envy that had led her to meddle with her brother-in-law's affairs.  After spending the night in tears, she hurried to Ali Baba's house at dawn, to entreat him to go and seek for her lost husband.  Ali Baba did not wait for her to ask him twice, but started off immediately with his three asses, begging of her first to moderate her grief.

Lesson 12.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	Why did Cassim's wife begin to feel uneasy?
Pupil.	Because her husband was not home by nightfall.
Teacher.	To whom did she communicate her anxiety?
Pupil.	To her brother-in-law, Ali Baba, who succeeded in quieting her fears for time by suggesting that prudence might have kept Cassim from returning home until after dark.
Teacher.	Why had Ali Baba himself not gone to the cave that day to fetch some more of the robbers' gold?
Pupil.	Because he had suspected that Cassim, whom he did not wish to offend, whom he did not wish to offend, intended to go there.
Teacher.	What did Cassim's wife do on getting back to her own house?
Pupil.	She sat up waiting till midnight; but still no Cassim came.  Then her fears redoubled, and the worst of it was that she could not even relieve her feelings by cries, as that would have awakened the suspicions of the neighbors.
Teacher.	How did she spend the rest of the night?
Pupil.	In shedding silent tears, and in repenting the silly curiosity which had led her to meddle with her brother-in-law's affairs.
Teacher.	What did she do when daylight came?
Pupil.	She went a second time to Ali Baba, to entreat him to go and look for her lost husband.
Teacher.	Did Ali Baba consent to do so?
Pupil.	Yes, Sir; he started off at once for the forest with his three donkeys.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.(12.)
	When Ali Baba drew near the rock, he was alarmed to see traces of blood.  But what was not his horror, on pronouncing the magic words Open, Sesame! to find his brother's body cut into four quarters, and hung up on either side of the door of the cave!  However he did not hesitate a moment, but decided at once on the course he must pursue, in order to perform the last offices to the brother who had shown him so little fraternal affection.  He found materials in the cave to wrap up Cassim's mangled remains; and, making two packets of the four quarters, placed them on one of the asses, and covered them over with sticks.  The other two asses he loaded with sacks of gold, and, having finished everything as speedily as possible, returned to the city after dark.  On reaching his house, he left the two asses that were laden with gold under the charge of his wife; and, having in a few words acquainted her with what had happened to Cassim, he led the other ass to his sister-in-law's.
	He knocked, and the door was opened by Morgiana, a clever, cunning female slave belonging to Cassim.  So, when Ali Baba had unloaded the ass, he took Morgiana aside and said: "Morgiana, the first thing I have to enjoin on you is an inviolable secrecy.  You will soon learn how essential it is, not only for my sake, but for your mistress's.  These two packets contain your master's body, and we must endeavor to bury him as if he had died a natural death.  Take me to your mistress, and be attentive to that which I am going to tell her."

Lesson 13.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What horrible discovery did Ali Baba make?
Pupil.	He found traces of blood on the rock, and the mangled remains of his brother Cassim hanging up inside the door of the cave.
Teacher.	How did he set about performing the last duties towards his brother?
Pupil.	By wrapping up the body and placing it on one of his donkeys, and then taking it back to the town, to hand over to the widow.
Teacher.	Why did he take so much trouble for the sake of a brother who had shown him so little affection?
Pupil.	Because he was a kind-hearted man, and liked to return good for evil.
Teacher.	What did he do with his other two donkeys?
Pupil.	He loaded them with gold.
Teacher.	How did he dispose of the three donkeys on reaching home?
Pupil.	The two laden with gold he left under the charge of his wife, and the other he led off to his sister-in-law's.
Teacher.	By whom was the door of his sister-in-law's house opened?
Pupil.	By a clever female slave called Morgiana.
Teacher.	What did Ali Baba take Morgiana aside for?
Pupil.	To tell her to mind to keep the whole matter secret, not only for his sake, but for her mistress's.
Teacher.	And what else did he tell her?
Pupil.	He told her it was essential that they should bury Cassim as if he had died a natural death. -- Sir, why was this essential?
Teacher.	In order to prevent the neighbors from suspecting what had happened.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.(13.)
	"Well, brother," said the sister-in-law, as soon as Ali Baba entered the room, "what news do you bring of my husband?  Alas!  I perceive no traces of consolation in your countenance."
	Ali Baba, having first of all entreated her to restrain her grief and to preserve the strictest secrecy, then told her the whole truth in all its ghostly details.  "But, sister," added he, "Although the evil is without remedy, perhaps I may help in affording you some consolation.  If you will permit me to combine, by marrying you, the small fortune which God has granted me with yours, I can assure you that my first wife will not be in the least jealous, and that we shall all three lived happily together.  In any case, we must contrive to bury my brother as if he had died a natural death; and this is a trust which I think you may safety repose in Morgiana."  To Ali Baba's offer of marriage the widow made no audible reply; but she mutely testified her willingness by wiping away the tears which had been flowing from her eyes as she listened to the terrible narrative.  Ali Baba then left her for awhile, with a parting injunction to Morgiana to acquit herself properly of the part she was to perform.
CONVERSATION.
Pupil.	Sir, how could Ali Baba marry his brother's widow, when he himself was already married?
Teacher.	Because, in Mohammedan countries, a man is not limited to one wife.  Mohammedans are polygamists.

Lesson 14.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What did Ali Baba's sister-in-law say when he entered the room?
Pupil.	She asked him for news of her husband, but saw at once, from the expression of his face, that he had nothing pleasant to tell her.
Teacher.	What did Ali Baba say in reply?
Pupil.	He first of all entreated her to restrain her grief and to preserve the strictest secrecy, and then he told her the whole story in all its ghostly details.
Teacher.	And how did he try to console her?
Pupil.	By offering to marry her.
Teacher.	What inducements did he mention?
Pupil.	He explained to her how nice it would be for them to combine their two fortune, and said he could assure her that his other wife would not be jealous.
Teacher.	Did the widow consent to marry him?
Pupil.	She said nothing; but she showed her willingness by wiping away her tears.
Teacher.	What did Ali Baba insist on doing in any case?
Pupil.	On having Cassim buried as if he had died a natural death.
Teacher.	Why did he suggest that it should be left to Morgiana to carry this plan into execution?
Pupil.	Because he knew what a clever woman she was.
Teacher.	What was Ali Baba's parting injunction to Morgiana?
Pupil.	To acquit herself properly of the part she was to perform in getting Cassim buried as if nothing unusual had happened.
ALI BABA AND THE FOTRY THIEVES.(14.)
	Morgiana did not belie her character for cunning.  She repaired to a neighboring apothecary's, and asked for a particular kind of lozenge that was noted for its efficacy in dangerous disorders.  The apothecary, in handing her the lozenges, asked her who it was that was ill in her master's family.  "Ah!" replied she, with a deep sigh, "it is my worthy master himself.  No one can understand his complaint.  He can neither speak nor eat."
	On the following day, she again went to the same apothecary, and, with tears in her eyes, enquired for an essence, which it was customary to administer only when the patient was reduced to the last extremity.  "Alas!" cried she, as she received it from the apothecary's hands, "I fear it will be of little good.  I shall lose my good master!" -- Meanwhile, as Ali Baba and his wife were seen going backwards and forwards to Cassim's house during the day, no one was surprised, towards evening, to hear the piercing cries of the widow and of Morgiana, which announced Cassim's death.
	Now you must know that in the same town there lived a jovial old cobbler, called Baba Mustapha, who was in the habit of opening his stall as soon as the day began to dawn, before anyone else was up.  Morgiana was not acquainted with him, but she had heard of him; and to him she went the first thing in the morning, and, wishing him good day, slipped a piece of gold into his hand.  "Halloo!" said he, "that looks pretty.  What is to be done to earn it?"

Lesson 15.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	To what cunning device did Morgiana's character lead her?
Pupil.	To concealing her master's death for a day or two, by giving our that he was dangerously ill.
Teacher.	How did she do this?
Pupil.	By going to the drug-shop for certain lozenges supposed to be efficacious in grave disorders, and by taking advantage of the apothecary's questions to let him know that the patient for whom the lozenges were wanted was her master, who, said she, could neither speak nor eat, and was lying ill with some mysterious complaint.
Teacher.	What did she do on the following day?
Pupil.	She went, with tears in her eyes, to get an essence which was only used when the patient was at the last extremity.
Teacher.	Why was no one surprised, towards evening, to learn the news of Cassim's death?
Pupil.	Because all the neighbors had been prepared for it by the skilful way in which Morgiana had acted her part, and also by seeing Ali Baba and his wife going backwards and forwards to Cassim's house, as it would have been natural for them to do if he had been dangerously ill.
Teacher.	How is a man's death announced in that country?
Pupil.	By the piercing cries of his widow and of the other women in the house.
Teacher.	Where did Morgiana go the first thing next morning?
Pupil.	To an old cobbler, who was in the habit of opening his stall very early, before any one else was up.
Teacher.	What did she say to him?
Pupil.	She wished him good morning, and slipped a piece of gold into his hand.
Teacher.	Didn't this take him by surprise?
Pupil.	Yes, Sir; he guessed at once that the money was not given to him for nothing, but that he would have to do something to earn it.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.(15.)
	"Take all you require for sewing," replied Morgiana, "and come along with me.  But you must let me bandage your eyes when we get to a certain place." -- At these words, Baba Mustapha began to make difficulties.  "Oh! oh!" said he, "you want me to do something against my conscience or my honor."  "God forbid," said Morgiana, putting another piece of gold into his hand, "that I should require of you anything that would stain either your conscience or your honor!  Only come with me, and fear nothing."
	So Baba Mustapha allowed himself to be led by Morgiana, who, when they reached the place she had mentioned, bound a handkerchief over his eyes, and conducted him to the house of her deceased master; nor did she remove the bandage till she and her companion were in the room where the mangled remains were deposited.  "Here!" said she, "sew these limbs together, and lose no time.  It is for this that I have brought you here.  When you have finished, I will give you another piece of gold." -- When Baba Mustapha had completed his job, she gave him the promised reward, blindfolded him again, and led him back to the place where she had blindfolded him at first.  Then she earnestly enjoined on him the duty of secrecy, removed the bandage, and let him go.  When she came home again, she and Ali Baba placed the body in the coffin, and nailed down the lid.  Then she went to the mosque, to give notice that everything was ready for the funeral.

Lesson 16.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	Why did Morgiana stipulate that the old cobbler was to let his eyes be bandaged?
Pupil.	I suppose in order that he shouldn't know to what part of the town she was taking him.
Teacher.	And why did this stipulation alarm him?
Pupil.	Because it was such an extraordinary one, as to make him fear that something dishonorable would be required of him.
Teacher.	How did Morgiana quiet his scruples?
Pupil.	By giving him more money.  Apparently the old cobbler's conscience was not quite as tender as he at first pretended that it was.  He went with Morgiana, and allowed her to blindfold him when they reached the place she had mentioned.
Teacher.	When did she remove the bandage?
Pupil.	Not till she and the old cobbler were in the room where Cassim's mangled remains were deposited.
Teacher.	When did she give him the third piece of gold?
Pupil.	When he had finished sewing together the four quarters into which Cassim's body had been cut by the Forty Thieves.
Teacher.	How did she take him home?
Pupil.	She blindfolded him in the room, and led him back thus to the place where she had blindfolded him at first.  There she took off the bandage.
Teacher.	What parting injunction did she give him?
Pupil.	She enjoined on him the duty of secrecy.
Teacher.	What did she do when she got home again?
Pupil.	She helped Ali Baba to place the body in the coffin, and then she went off to the mosque to give notice that everything was ready for the funeral.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.(16.)
	The priest accompanied Morgiana back to the house, where the coffin was shouldered by four of the neighbors, and the little procession made its way to the cemetery.  Morgiana, as slave to the deceased, walked after the coffin, uttering the most piteous cries, beating her breast, and tearing her hair.  As for Cassim's widow, she remained at home to weep with the women of the neighborhood, who, according to custom, repaired to her house while the funeral was going on, and, joining their cries to hers, filled the air with sounds of woe.  Thus the manner of Cassim's death was so well concealed that not a soul in the city had the least suspicion of the true state of the case.
	Three or four days after the funeral, Ali Baba removed to Cassim's house, and his marriage with the widow was announced.  Cassim's shop he made over to his son, a promising young man, who had lately ended his apprenticeship to a merchant of high standing.
	But let us now leave Ali Baba, and return to the Forty Thieves.  Great was their astonishment, the first time they returned to the cave after their adventure with Cassim, to find his body gone; and astonishment was turned to dismay on noting that some of their treasure was gone also.  "We are discovered," cried the captain.  "The man we surprised here the other day was evidently not the only person who knows our secret.  The removal of his corpse and the diminution of our treasure prove this beyond dispute.  Well! my brave boys, the first thief has paid for his temerity with his life.  It rests with us to find and destroy the other.  What say you?"

Lesson 17.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What happened after Morgiana came back to the house bringing the priest with her?
Pupil.	The coffin containing Cassim's body was shouldered by four of the neighbors, and carried to the cemetery.
Teacher.	I suppose that Morgiana accompanied the little procession, as she had been Cassim's slave.
Pupil.	Yes, Sir, she walked after the coffin.
Teacher.	What did the widow do while the funeral was going on?
Pupil.	She staid at home weeping, and beating her breast, and tearing her hair.  The women of the neighborhood, too, came to mourn with her, according to the custom of that country.
Teacher.	What was the effect of Ali Baba's and Morgiana's precautions?
Pupil.	Cassim's death was so well concealed, that not a soul had the least suspicion of it.
Teacher.	What did Ali Baba do three or four days after the funeral?
Pupil.	He removed to Cassim's house, and announced his marriage with the widow.  At the same time he made over Cassim's shop to his own son.
Teacher.	To whom had this son of his lately been apprenticed?
Pupil.	To a merchant of high standing.
Teacher.	At what were the Forty Thieves astonished and dismayed the next time they visited the cave?
Pupil.	At finding Cassim's body gone, and a good deal of their treasure as well.
Teacher.	What did this show them?
Pupil.	It showed them that they were discovered; for the removal of the corpse proved beyond dispute that Cassim had not been the only person who knew their secret.
Teacher.	What did the captain propose to them?
Pupil.	To find this second person, and make him pay for his temerity with his life.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES. (17.)
	All the thieves expressed their willingness to follow their captain whithersoever he might lead them, and to relinquish every other enterprise until their enemy should have been discovered and slain.  "I expected no less from your known courage and fidelity," resumed the captain.  "But the first thing needful is that one of you should go into the city disguised as a stranger, and exert himself to ascertain whether the death of him whom we cut into four quarters has been noised about in the town, and more especially to discover who he was and where he lived.  This is the first condition of our success in tracking his confederate.  I would suggest, moreover, that, in order the more effectually to rouse all the energies of our spy, it be agreed that he shall submit to the penalty of death in case he fails in his errand."
	One of the thieves at once offered his services, and, having disguised himself in such a manner as to render detection impossible, set off that same night, timing his journey so as to arrive in the city at daybreak.  On entering the streets, he walked along till he came to the only shop which was as yet open, and which was none other than that of the old cobbler, Baba Mustapha.

Lesson 18.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	Were the Forty Thieves willing to agree to their captain's proposal?
Pupil.	Oh! yes, Sir.  They said they would follow him wherever he might lead them, and would relinquish every other enterprise until their unknown enemy should have been discovered and killed.
Teacher.	What did the captain say on hearing this?
Pupil.	He said it was just what he had expected from their courage and devotion.
Teacher.	What did he propose as the first thing to be done?
Pupil.	That one of the band should go into the city disguised as a stranger, ascertain whether the story of Cassim's death had been noised about in the town, and discover who he had been, and where he had lived.  The captain considered that to find out this was the first condition of the success of their effort to track the dead man's confederate.
Teacher.	What further suggestion did the captain make?
Pupil.	That the spy should agree to submit the penalty of death if he failed in his errand.
Teacher.	What was the object of this proviso?
Pupil.	To rouse the spy's energies to the utmost.
Teacher.	What did the thief who offered his services as spy do?
Pupil.	He disguised himself in such a manner as to render detection impossible, and set off that same night, timing his journey so as to arrive in the city at daybreak.
Teacher.	How did he happen to hit at once upon Baba Mustapha's shop?
Pupil.	Because it was the only one which was as yet open.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES. (18.)
	Baba Mustapha was seated on his stool, with his awl in his hand, ready to begin work.  The thief saluted him, and, perceiving him to be advanced in years, said: "My good man, is it possible that, at your age, you can see to sew at this early hour, when it is not yet properly light?"
	"Whoever you are," replied Baba Mustapha testily, "it is evident that you do not know much about me.  See indeed!  What would you say if I were to tell you that my eyes were good enough, only the other day, to sew up a dead body in a room where there was not more light than we have now?"
	The robber's delight at having at once hit upon the very man who could evidently give him all the information he needed, can easily be imagined.  But he feigned astonishment, and said: "A dead body!  Why sew up a dead body?  I suppose you mean that you sewed the shroud in which it was wrapped." -- "No, no," said Baba Mustapha; "I know what I say.  But it is a secret, and you shall not know another word about it."
	But the robber was not to be put off so easily.  He drew a gold coin out of his purse, and, slipping it into the old fellow's hand, said: "Far be it from me to try and pry into your secrets.  One only favor do I ask of you, which is that you will have the kindness to shew me the house where you did this strange piece of work."

Lesson 19.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What did the robber do when he saw the old cobbler do when he saw the old cobbler seated on his stool, about to begin work?
Pupil.	He saluted him, and asked him how it was possible for him, at his age, to see to sew at such an early hour, when it was not yet properly light.
Teacher.	What reply did the cobbler make?
Pupil.	He said that, whoever the stranger might be, he evidently knew little about Baba Mustapha, for that his eyes were so good that he had sewn up a dead body, only the other day, in a room where there was scarcely any light.
Teacher.	Why was the robber delighted?
Pupil.	Because the cobbler's answer shewed him to be the very man who could give him the information he needed.
Teacher.	Why did he feign astonishment, and say he supposed it was not a body that the cobbler had sewn up, but only the shroud in which a body was wrapped?
Pupil.	In order to get the old man to tell him more about it.  However, the old man did not do so, but merely stated that it was a secret, about which no more must be said.
Teacher.	How did the robber, who was not to be put off so easily, next approach the subject?
Pupil.	By slipping a gold coin into the old man's hand, and saying that he did not wish to pry into any secrets, but only wanted to be shewn the house where so strange a piece of work had been performed.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEBES. (19.)
	"Even should I feel inclined to comply with your wish," answered Baba Mustapha, "it would be impossible for me to do so; for, after getting to a certain place, I had my eyes bound by the person who came to fetch me, and was led blindfold to the house.  When I had finished the job for which they hired me, I was conducted back in the same manner.  Thus I have no notion where the house is situated."
	"At any rate," retorted the robber, "you probably have some recollection of the turnings you were made to take.  Pray come with me.  I will tie a bandage over your eyes at the same place, and your feet will perhaps instinctively lead you in the direction they went so short a time ago.  But as good work deserves good pay, here is another piece of gold for you."
	The cold cobbler could not resist the temptation of the glittering metal.  He rose from his stool, and said: "If you will have it so, so let it be!  I can but do my best to oblige such a generous gentleman." -- So the cobbler led the robber to the spot where Morgiana had blindfolded him.  There the robber tied a handkerchief over his eyes, and walked by his side, partly leading him and partly being led by him, till he stopped in front of what had been Cassim's, and was now Ali Baba's house.  "I do not think I went any further than this" said Baba Mustapha.  So the robber took out of his pocket a piece of chalk which he had brought with him for the purpose, and made a mark with it on the door.  Being unable to obtain from Baba Mustapha any information as to the owner of the house, the robber thanked him for his trouble, and made the best of his way back to the forest.

Lesson 20.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What was it that made it impossible for Baba Mustapha to comply with the robber's request, even had he felt inclined to do so?
Pupil.	The fact that Morgiana had blindfolded him when she led him to the house, and again when she took him back after he had finished the job of sewing up Cassim's corpse.
Teacher.	What did the robber retort, when told this?
Pupil.	He urged Baba Mustapha to come with him all the same, saying that, if he would allow his eyes to be bandaged again, his feet would very likely instinctively lead him in the direction they had gone so short a time before.
Teacher.	Did the old cobbler give in to this argument?
Pupil.	I don't know, Sir.  But what he could not resist was the temptation of a second piece of gold, which the robber offered him.
Teacher.	What did he do then?
Pupil.	He rose from his stool, and said he would do his best to oblige so generous a gentleman.
Teacher.	What did the robber do to the cobbler when they reached the place where the latter had been blindfolded by Morgiana?
Pupil.	He blindfolded him too, and walked along by his side, till at last the old man stopped in front of what had been Cassim's, and was now Ali Baba's house, saying that he did not think it was any further on than that.
Teacher.	What did the robber do then?
Pupil.	He marked the door with a piece of chalk which he had brought with him for the purpose, thanked Baba Mustapha for his trouble, and made the best of his way back to the forest.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.(20.)
	Soon after the robber and Baba Mustapha had separated, Morgiana, had occasion to go out on some errand; and when she returned, she observed the chalk mark on the door of the house.  Said she to herself: "What can this mark signify?  Has any one a spite against my master, or is it merely a joke? Be the motive what it may, it is always well to be on the side of caution.  She therefore took some chalk, and marked several of the neighbors' doors on either side of Ali Baba's house in precisely the same manner.  Then she went in, but did not deem it necessary to say anything about the matter for the present.
	Meanwhile the robber had rejoined his comrades, and had told them of the good success of his expedition.  They were all loud in his praises.  The captain, in particular, lauded him for his diligence, and then said, turning to the troup: "My brave men! we have no time to lose.  Let us disguise ourselves, and start off for the city without delay.  In order not to create suspicion, it will be best for us to go there in small parties of not more than two or three each.  I will go and find out the house with our comrade here who has brought us the good news.  Later on we can assemble in the great square, and consult as to the method which it may be most advantageous to follow in order to compass our enemy's destruction."  The robbers all applauded their captain's proposal, and, as soon as their preparations had been completed, started for the city in twos and threes.

Lesson 21.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	When did Morgiana observe the chalk mark on the door of her master's house?
Pupil.	When she returned home from an errand, which she had had occasion to go out on.
Teacher.	Did she at once guess the signification of the mark?
Pupil.	No, Sir, she did not know whether it might have been put there out of spite, or merely as a joke.  But thinking that, be the motive what it might, it was always well to be on the side of caution, she marked several of the neighbors' doors in precisely the same manner.
Teacher.	Did she deem it necessary to in form her master of what she had seen?
Pupil.	No, Sir, she kept the matter to herself for the present.
Teacher.	What did the robbers do when their comrade rejoined them?
Pupil.	They were all loud in his praises, because his expedition had been such a success.
Teacher.	What suggestion did the captain make?
Pupil.	Then they should disguise themselves, and start off for the city without delay in small parties of two or three each, in order to avoid suspicion.
Teacher.	Which of them was to accompany the spy?
Pupil.	The captain himself, who would later on meet his men in the great square, where they could consult as to the best method of compassing Ali Baba's destruction.
Teacher.	Did the robbers applaud their captain's proposal?
Pupil.	Oh! yes; and they started for the city in twos and threes, as soon as ever their preparations were completed.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.(21.)
	So the spy conducted the captain to the street in which Ali Baba lived.  When they reached the first of the houses that had been marked by Morgiana, he pointed it out, saying that was the one.  But as they continued to walk on without stopping, so as not to rouse suspicion, the captain perceived that the next door was marked in the same manner, and the next and the next, -- five or six in a row.  The spy was dumfounded: "On my life," cried he, "I marked but one!  We are outwitted.  Some one has smelt a rat, and has imitated my mark.  I cannot tell which of all these houses is the right one."
	Of course there was nothing for it but for the whole troop to return to the forest, where the unlucky spy paid with his head for the failure of the expedition.  His sad fate did not, however, daunt his comrades.  Another of the robbers requested to be allowed to go, promising to be more careful than his predecessor had been.  The request was granted.  The man entered the city on the morning of the following day, corrupted the old cobbler, Baba Mustapha, and was led by him to Ali Baba's house.  In order to distinguish it from the other houses, the doors of which were marked with white, and at the same time to avoid detection, he marked it this time with red, and in a place which was much less easily to be seen by the casual passer-by.  But he had not counted with Morgiana's piercing glance, which nothing could escape.  She noticed the red mark as she had noticed the white one, and, taking a piece of red chalk, made precisely similar marks on several other doors both right and left.

Lesson 22.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What happened when the captain and the spy reached the street in which Ali Baba lived?
Pupil.	They found, as they walked leisurely on it in order not to rouse suspicion, that there were five or six doors in a row all marked in the same manner, making it impossible for them to tell which was the right one.
Teacher.	Wasn't the spy dumfounded at this discovery?
Pupil.	Yes, indeed.  He saws that some one had smelt a rat and had outwitted him.  
Teacher.	How was he made to pay for the ill-success of the expedition?
Pupil.	He had his head cut off.
Teacher.	Did his sad fate daunt his comrades?
Pupil.	No, Sir, one of them at once asked to be allowed to go, promising to be more careful.  
Teacher.	Was this request granted?
Pupil.	Yes, and the second spy bribed the old cobbler, Baba Mustapha, just as the first one had done, and so got Ali Baba's house shown to him.
Teacher.	What did he do to distinguish it from the other houses, the doors of which were marked with white, and at the same time to avoid detection?
Pupil.	He marked it with read in a place less easily to be seen by casual passers-by.
Teacher.	Did this precaution suffice?
Pupil.	No, indeed.  He had not counted with Morgiana's piercing glance, which nothing could escape.
Teacher.	Then she noticed the red mark, -- did she?
Pupil.	Yes, Sir; and not only did she notice it, but she marked the neighbors' doors, right and left, in precisely the same manner.
Teacher.	What a crafty creature!
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.(22.)
	The consequence of this was that, when the captain and the spy came into the street that same evening, the same difficulty occurred as before.  The captain was irritated beyond measure at this second failure, and the spy who had caused the disappointment was punished by decapitation.  Thus the band of Forty Thieves was reduced to thirty-eight.  The result of these two expeditions to convince the captain that his men were less to be trusted in matters depending on brains than in those where strength of arm was required.  He therefore determined to be his own messenger.  Repairing to the city and availing himself of Baba Mustapha's assistance, he found Ali Baba's house.  But, instead of making any marks on it, he contented himself with looking at it attentively by passing before it several times, till he was certain not to mistake it.  Then, returning to the forest, he ordered his men to divide into small parties, and to go into the neighboring towns and villages, where they were to buy nineteen mules and thirty-eight large leather jars.  He further charged them to fill one of the jars with oil, and to bring the other thirty-seven empty.

Lesson 23.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What was the consequence of Morgiana's having marked all the neighbors' doors red?
Pupil.	That the robbers experienced the same difficulty as before in discovering which was the one they were looking for.
Teacher.	Wasn't the captain irritated at this second failure?
Pupil.	I should think he was!  And as for the unlucky spy, he was punished by decapitation.
Teacher.	What reflections did the captain make, when he saw his band of forty men reduced to thirty-eight?
Pupil.	He felt convinced that they were less to be trusted in matters depending on brains than in those where strength of arm was required; and so he determined to be his own messenger.
Teacher.	You mean that he repaired to the city himself to look for Ali Baba's house?
Pupil.	Yes, Sir.  But instead of making any marks on it, he contented himself with looking at it attentively, so as to be sure not to mistake it.
Teacher.	What did he order his men to do when he returned to the forest?
Pupil.	He ordered them to go into the neighboring towns and villages in parties of two and three, and to buy nineteen mules and thirty-eight large leather jars.
Teacher.	What did he tell them to do with these jars?
Pupil.	To fill one of them with oil, and to bring the other thirty-seven empty.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.(23.)
	In the course of two or three days the robbers had completed their purchase.  The captain then told them to arm, and made one of them enter each jar, which he closed in order to let it appear to be full of oil, only leaving a small hole to admit air for them to breathe.  The better to perfect the deception, he rubbed the outside of the jars with oil, which he took from the full one.  
	Things having been thus disposed, the thirty-eight jars were laden on the mules, and the captain set off with them as driver to the city, where he arrived about an hour after sunset.  He went straight to the house of Ali Baba, intending to knock and request a night's lodging for himself and his mules.  He was, however, spared the trouble of knocking; for he found Ali Baba seated outside the door, taking the air after supper.  So, stopping his mules, he said, addressing Ali Baba: "Sir, I have brought this oil from a great distance to sell to-morrow at the market: and at this late hour I do not know where to go to pass the night.  Would it be too much to ask you to grant a shelter to myself and my mules?  You would confer upon me a lasting obligation."
	Now, although Ali Baba had seen the man who now spoke to him, and had even heard his voice that first day in the forest at the mouth of the cave, he did not recognize him in his present disguise.

Lesson 24.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What did the captain direct his men to do when they had completed their purchase of mules and jars?
Pupil.	He told them to arm, and to get into the jars, -- one into each jar.
Teacher.	What did he do next, in order to make the deception perfect?
Pupil.	He rubbed the outside of the jars with oil, and then closed them, leaving nothing but a small hole for the men inside to breathe by. 
Teacher.	And after that?
Pupil.	After, that, he loaded the thirty-eight jars on the nineteen mules, and set off with them, as driver, to the city, making straight for Ali Baba's house.
Teacher.	I suppose he knocked at the door?
Pupil.	He meant to do so, but he was spared the trouble; for he found Ali Baba seated outside, taking the air.
Teacher.	What did he say to Ali Baba?
Pupil.	He represented himself as an oil-merchant who had come from a great distance to sell his oil at the market next day, and who did not know where to find a lodging, and added that he would be eternally grateful to Ali Baba if the latter would grant him and his mules a shelter for the night.
Teacher.	How was it that Ali Baba, who had seen him and had even heard his voice that first day in the forest at the mouth of the cave, did not recognize him?
Pupil.	On account of his disguise.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.(24.)
	So, being of a hospitable disposition, he at once invited the oil-merchant in, and directed his slaves to unload the mules and lead them into the stable.  Morgiana, meanwhile, was ordered to get supper ready as quickly as possible, and to make a bed in the guest-chamber.  The captain of the robbers endeavored to excuse himself from accepting the invitation to sup and sleep in the house.  A crust in a corner of the yard, said he, was all he required, and he could not think of giving his kind host all this trouble.
	What he really had in his mind was, by staying in the yard with the oil-jars containing his trusty men, to be able the more easily to execute his treacherous design.  But Ali Baba was so pressing that at last he had to give way, and enter the house, where supper was soon served.  While he was eating, Ali Baba entertained him with conversation on various subjects of interest, and entreated him to make himself quite at home.  After this, he went out of the room to speak to Morgiana.  "Morgiana," said he, "I shall go to the bath before day-break to-morrow.  Take care that my bathing-linen is ready, and give it Abdalla (for that was the name of the slave), and make me some good broth to take when I return.  Mind, too, that you are attentive to our guest.  Show him to his room, and see that he wants for nothing."  And with these words he himself retired to rest.

Lesson 25.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	How did Ali Baba show himself to be of a hospitable disposition?
Pupil.	By inviting the oil-merchant in, and directing his slaves to unload the mules and lead them into the stable.  
Teacher.	What orders were given to Morgiana?
Pupil.	To make a bed for the guest, and to get supper ready for him as quickly as possible?
Teacher.	Why did the robber chief endeavor to excuse himself from sleeping in the house?
Pupil.	Because he knew that he would be more easily able to execute his treacherous design if he staid in the yard with the oil-jars containing his men.
Teacher.	Did Ali Baba accept his excuses?
Pupil.	No, Sir, Ali Baba was so pressing that at last the robber was obliged to give way, and enter the house.
Teacher.	What did Ali Baba do when supper was served?
Pupil.	He entertained his guest with conversation, and urged him to make himself quite at home.
Teacher.	What did Ali Baba go out of the room for after supper?
Pupil.	To tell Morgiana to get his bathing-linen ready, as he meant to go to the bath on the following morning.  He also told her to make him some good broth to take when he came home from the bath.
Teacher.	Did he give her any orders with regard to the guest?
Pupil.	Yes, Sir, he told her to be very attentive to him, to show him to his room, and see that he wanted for nothing.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.(25.)
	The captain of the robbers rose from table at the same time as Ali Baba, and went out into the court, under the pretext of seeing after his mules.  Finding that the coast was clear, he went to where the jars were laid, and, beginning with the first, and going through the whole number, said to each: "When you hear me throw some pebbles from my bedroom window, rip open the jar with your knife, and come out.  I shall be with you immediately after."  This done, he returned.  When he reached the kitchen door, Morgiana took a light, and conducted him to his bedchamber, where she bade him good night.  In order not to create suspicion, the robber put out the candle a short time after, and lay down in his clothes, to be ready to rise as soon as he should have taken his first sleep.
	Meanwhile Morgiana was busy in the kitchen.  First she got ready the linen for the bath, and gave it to Abdalla, who had not yet gone to bed.  Then she put the pot on the fire to make the broth; but while she was skimming it, the lamp went out.  There was not a drop more oil in the house, and she had no candle.  What was she to do?  But Abdalla laughed, and said: "Surely it is a very simple matter.  Go and take some oil out of one of the oil-merchant's jars, that are lying in the court." -- "A capital idea!" replied Morgiana; "thank you for suggesting it."  So, while Abdalla retired to rest, in order to be ready to accompany his master to the bath in the morning, she took her oil-can and went into the court.

Lesson 26.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What did the captain of the robbers do when he rose from table?
Pupil.	He went out into the court to speak to his men, under the pretext of seeing after his mules.
Teacher.	What did he say to them when he saw that the coast was clear?
Pupil.	He told them to lie quiet till they should hear him throw some pebbles from his bedroom window.  Then they were to rip open the jars, and come out.
Teacher.	What did he do after Morgiana had conducted him to his bedroom?
Pupil.	He put out the candle in order not to create suspicion, and then lay down in his clothes, so as to be ready to rise as soon as he should have taken his first sleep.
Teacher.	Was all quiet in the kitchen by that time?
Pupil.	No, Sir, Morgiana was still at work there with the slave Abdalla, getting ready the linen for her master's bath and the broth for his breakfast.
Teacher.	What accident happened while she was skimming the broth?
Pupil.	The kitchen lamp went out, and Morgiana didn't know what to do, for there were neither any candles nor yet a drop of oil left in the house.
Teacher.	What good idea was suggested by Abdalla?
Pupil.	To take some oil out of one of the jars belonging to the oil-merchant.
Teacher.	What did Abdalla do, while Morgiana went into the court with her oil-can to get the oil as suggested?
Pupil.	He went to bed, in order to be ready to accompany his master to the bath in the morning.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES. (26.)
	As she drew near to the first jar, the thief who was concealed within it said in a low voice, "Is it time?"
	Any other woman but Morgiana would, in the first moment of surprise at finding a man inside the jar instead of the oil which she expected, have shrieked and fainted, and might thereby have caused an irretrievable disaster.  But Morgiana was superior both to her sex and to her station.  She instantly took in the situation, and her ready wit forthwith conceived a means of meeting the danger which threatened her master's life and that of all his family.  Without showing the slightest trace of emotion, she assumed the robber-captain's voice, and answered, "Not yet, but presently."  Then she approached the next jar, where the same question was addressed to her.  She went on to them all in succession, making each time the same answer to the same question, till she came to the last, which was full of oil.  By this means she discovered that her master, instead of affording shelter to a worthy merchant, was harboring thirty-eight robbers within his gates.  Quickly filling her oil-can from the last jar, she returned to the kitchen, where she lit the lamp.  Then she took a large kettle, which she filled likewise with oil, and set it over the fire to boil.  This it soon did, for she had piled up a quantity of wood to make a good blaze.

Lesson 27.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	Who was it that asked whether it was time?
Pupil.	The thief who hidden inside the oil-jar.
Teacher.	Did Morgiana shriek or faint with surprise at finding a man inside the jar?
Pupil.	No, Sir; most women would, but she didn't.  She instantly took in the situation, and devised a means of meeting the impending danger.
Teacher.	Then she showed no signs of alarm or emotion?
Pupil.	Not the slightest; for she knew that if she did, she might cause an irretrievable disaster.
Teacher.	Then what did she do?
Pupil.	She assumed the voice of the robber-captain, and answered "Not yet, but presently," so as to make the man inside the jar think that it was his captain who was addressing him.
Teacher.	Was the same question asked by the man in the next jar?
Pupil.	Yes, the same question was addressed to her each time as she went along all the jars in succession, and each time she made the same reply.
Teacher.	What did she discover by this means?
Pupil.	She discovered that her master was harboring robbers, instead of affording a shelter to a worthy oil-merchant, as he had supposed.
Teacher.	What did she do when she came to the jar which really contained oil?
Pupil.	She filled her oil-can from it, and then returned to the kitchen and lit the lamp.
Teacher.	Did she use any of the oil in an other manner?
Pupil.	Yes, Sir; she filled a very big kettle with it, and set it over the fire to boil, which it soon did, as she had piled up a quantity of wood to make a good blaze.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES. (27.)
	At length the oil boiled.  Morgiana took the kettle and poured into each jar, beginning with the first and ending with the thirty-seventh, sufficient of the boiling liquid to scald to death the robber inside.  Then she returned to the kitchen, put out the large fire, which she had made, leaving only enough to finish preparing the broth for Ali Baba, and blew out the lamp.  She determined, however, not to go to bed, but to observe what would ensue.  So she posted herself at a window which overlooked the court, taking care to sit so as not to run the risk of being seen.
	She had hardly waited a quarter of an hour, when the captain of the robbers awoke.  He got up, opened the window, and looked out.  All was silence and darkness.  So he gave the preconcerted signal by throwing some pebbles into the jars.  Then he listened, but there was no sound to show that his men were obeying his summons.  Becoming uneasy at the delay, he threw some pebbles down a second time, and even a third.  Still nothing stirred.  Evidently there was something the matter.  The captain therefore descended the court in great alarm, but with as little noise as possible.  What was not his horror and consternation, on approaching the first jar, to be greeted, not by the voice of his comrade, but by the disgusting odor of hot oil and burnt human flesh!

Lesson 28.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What did Morgiana do with boiling oil?
Pupil.	She poured into each jar enough of it to scald to death the robber who was hidden inside.
Teacher.	Why did she only leave a little fire burning in the kitchen?
Pupil.	Because there was none wanted after the robbers had been killed, except to finish making the broth for Ali Baba's breakfast.
Teacher.	Why didn't Morgiana go to bed?
Pupil.	Because she wanted to see what would ensue.
Teacher.	Where did she post herself to watch the movements of the captain of the robbers?
Pupil.	At a window overlooking the court.
Teacher.	Didn't she run the risk of being seen by him?
Pupil.	She took care to sit so as to avoid that risk.
Teacher.	What happened after she had waited a quarter of an hour?
Pupil.	The captain of the robbers awoke, looked out of his bedroom window, and gave the preconcerted signal by throwing some pebbles into the jars in the court below.
Teacher.	Did any sound come to show that the men were stirring and preparing to obey his summons?
Pupil.	No, Sir; all was silence and darkness.
Teacher.	Didn't this delay make the captain uneasy?
Pupil.	Yes, indeed it did.  He felt that something must be the matter, especially when, having thrown some pebbles a second and even a third time, still nothing stirred.
Teacher.	Why did the captain make as little noise as possible when descending to the court?
Pupil.	In order not to run the risk of being heard.
Teacher.	What struck him with horror and consternation when he approached the first jar?
Pupil.	The odor of hot oil and burnt human flesh which issued from it.
Teacher.	Of course he had expected to be greeted by the voice of one of his comrades.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES. (28.)
	Jar after jar, as he crept along the row, told the same awful tale, while the diminution of the oil in the last jar of all plainly revealed the means by which his plan had been frustrated and his trusty followers put to a frightful death.  His only safety was in flight.  So, climbing over the gate which led out of the court, and escaping from garden to garden by getting over the walls, he contrived to make good his escape.  When Morgiana saw that the man had decamped and that all was quiet, she at length retired to rest, overjoyed at the success of her bold artifice for securing the safety of the household.
	Ali Baba went to the bath before day-break, totally ignorant of the surprising events which had taken place during the night; for Morgiana had not deemed it necessary to disturb him in order to acquaint him with a danger which was already past.  When he returned from the bath after sunrise, he was surprised to see the jars of oil still in their places.  So he inquired of Morgiana the reason why the oil-merchant had not yet taken them to market on his mules.  Then Morgiana, who had left everything in its original state, in order to show him the deceit which had been practiced on him, and to demonstrate the more plainly her own efforts for the preservation of the family, said: --

Lesson 29.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What did the captain of the robbers learn as he crept along from jar to jar?
Pupil.	He leant from the smell of the hot oil and of the burnt human flesh the same awful tale of the death of all his trusty followers.
Teacher.	What showed him that they must have been boiled alive?
Pupil.	The diminution of the oil in the last jar, and the smell of the hot oil in the thirty-seven others.
Teacher.	Did he himself seek safety in flight?
Pupil.	Yes, Sir, he climbed over the gate that led out of the court, and escaped by getting over the walls of the neighbors' gardens.
Teacher.	At what was Morgiana overjoyed?
Pupil.	At the success of her bold artifice for securing the safety of her master's household.
Teacher.	What did she do when the captain of the robbers had decamped.
Pupil.	She retired to rest.
Teacher.	Did Ali Baba know of the surprising events which had taken place during the night?
Pupil.	No, Sir, he was still totally ignorant of them when he went to the bath next morning.
Teacher.	Why had not Morgiana acquainted him with what had happened?
Pupil.	Because she thought it unnecessary to disturb him, seeing that the danger was already past.
Teacher.	Why was he surprised to see the oil-jars still in their places when he returned from the bath?
Pupil.	Because he thought it was high time for the merchant to have taken them off to market.
Teacher.	Why had Morgiana left everything in its original state?
Pupil.	In order to show him the deceit which had been practiced on him by the pretended oil-merchant, and to demonstrate the more plainly her own efforts for the preservation of the family.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES. (29.)
	"My good master, may God ever preserve you and all your family!  You will be better informed of what you wish to know, when you shall have seen what I am about to show you.  Please take the trouble to follow me."
	Ali Baba followed Morgiana: and when she had shut the door of the court, she led him up to the first jar and requested him to look in.  He did as she desired, but drew back with a cry of alarm on perceiving that there was a man inside.  "Do not be afraid!" said she; "the man you see there will do you no harm.  He tried to do so; but he will never hurt either you or any one else again, for he is now a lifeless corpse." -- "Morgiana!" exclaimed Ali Baba, "what does this mean?  Do explain this extraordinary mystery." -- "I will explain it," replied Morgiana; "but pray moderate your astonishment, and above all do nothing that may awaken the curiosity of the neighbors.  Secrecy is of the first importance.  But be pleased to inspect the other jars." -- This Ali Baba did in a sort of dazed silence, his astonishment growing as he walked from jar to jar and discovered a corpse in each.  At length, recovering the use of speech, he said, "And what has become of the merchant?" -- "Merchant!" replied Morgiana with a smile, "he is no more a merchant than I am!  But pray come into your own room, and take your broth.  I will tell you the story while you are at breakfast."

Lesson 30.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	Why did Morgiana ask her master to take the trouble to follow her into the court-yard?
Pupil.	In order that he might the more easily learn that which he wished to know about the extraordinary events of the preceding night.
Teacher.	What did Ali Baba do on looking into the first jar?
Pupil.	He drew back with a cry of alarm on perceiving that there was a man inside it.
Teacher.	No wonder!
Pupil.	But Morgiana told him not to be afraid, for that the man was dead and would never be able to hurt anyone again.
Teacher.	What did Morgiana say when Ali Baba asked her for an explanation of the mystery?
Pupil.	She said she would give it, but requested him at the same time to moderate his astonishment, and above all to do nothing that might awaken the curiosity of the neighbors, secrecy being of the first importance.
Teacher.	Did Ali Baba's astonishment grow as he walked from jar to jar, and discovered a corpse in each?
Pupil.	Yes, Sir, indeed it did.  He walked on in a sort of dazed silence, and it was some time before he recovered the use of speech.
Teacher.	What is the meaning of Morgiana's exclamation, "Merchant!  He is no more a merchant than I am!"?
Pupil.	It is a lively way of saying "He is not a merchant, just as I myself am not a merchant."
Teacher.	Did Morgiana tell Ali Baba the whole story then and there?
Pupil.	No, Sir, she told it him in his room while he was at breakfast.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.(30.)
	So, while Ali Baba sat sipping his broth, Morgiana told him all the events of that wonderful night, and added in conclusion: "I feel convinced that this is but the last act of a plot, of which I observed the beginning two or three days ago."  She then described the marks that had been made upon the door, and the precautions she had taken to render them useless, adding: "If you connect this circumstance with what happened last night, you will probably agree with me in considering the whole to be some machination contrived by the Forty Thieves whom you saw that day in the forest, and whose number seems to be now diminished by two.  But be that as it may, they are now reduced to three at most.  They are evidently bent on killing you, and you cannot exercise too great caution so long as you have reason to believe that even one remains.  For my part, I shall of course consider it my duty to do all in my power towards the preservation of your valuable life."
	Ali Baba's astonishment was equaled only by his gratitude.  "Generous woman!" cried he, "from this moment I grant you your liberty, and I will recompense you still further before I die.  God be praised for having, through your means, destroyed these enemies of the human race!  But now we must see to burying the bodies."

Lesson 31.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What did Morgiana tell Ali Baba while he sat sipping his broth?
Pupil.	She told him all the events of that wonderful night, adding that she felt convinced that it was but the last act of a plot of which she had observed the beginning two or three days.
Teacher.	To what did she allude?
Pupil.	To the chalk-marks which she had seen on the door, and which her precautions had rendered useless.
Teacher.	What inference did she draw from all that happened?
Pupil.	That the chalk-marks and the pretended oil-merchant's visit were but parts of some machination contrived by the Forty Thieves.
Teacher.	What made her think that their number had been diminished by two?
Pupil.	The fact that only thirty-eight had joined in the expedition of the previous night.
Teacher.	Why did she urge her master to exercise the greatest caution so long as any of the Forty Thieves remained alive?
Pupil.	Because there was reason to believe that they were bent on killing him.
Teacher.	What were Ali Baba's feelings on being told this strange story?
Pupil.	His astonishment was only equaled by his gratitude to the generous slave who had done so much towards the preservation of his life.
Teacher.	How did he reward her?
Pupil.	By granting her her liberty.
Teacher.	And what was his next thought?
Pupil.	TO see to the burying of the corpses of the thirty-seven robbers, "Those enemies of the human race," as he called them.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES. (31.)
	So Ali Baba set to work with his slave Abdalla to dig a trench at the end of the garden, in which to inter the corpses.  This was done with the greatest possible expedition.  As for the robbers' weapons and the oil-jars, they were carefully concealed.  The mules were gradually disposed of at the market, Ali Baba not happening to have any use for them just then.
	Meanwhile the captain of the robbers had returned to his forest retreat, mortified beyond measure at the ill-success of his expedition.  But he was not the man to confess himself beaten.  Far from it, he vowed to accomplish single-handed that which his forty trusty comrades had not been able to perform.  Having conceived a new plan, he started off next morning, suitably attired, to put it into execution, and, reaching the city, took up his abode at an inn.  A he thought it more than probable that some rumors of what had happened in Ali Baba's house would have got abroad, he asked the host if there were any news stirring; in reply to which the host talked on a variety of subjects, but without mentioning that whereon the robber sought information.  From this the robber inferred that Ali Baba had kept the matter a profound secret, in order to prevent the fact of his acquaintance with the cave and its treasure from being divulged, and also perhaps because he was apprehensive of danger to his life.  This only incited the robber the more to discover means as secret for compassing his destruction.

Lesson 32.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What did Ali Baba set to work to do?
Pupil.	To dig a trench, in which to bury the bodies of the robbers.
Teacher.	What did he do with the mules, the oil-jars, and the robbers' weapons?
Pupil.	The mules he disposed of at the market, and the oil-jars and weapons he concealed.
Teacher.	What were the feelings of the captain of the robbers?
Pupil.	He was mortified beyond measure at the ill-success of his expedition.
Teacher.	Did he confess himself beaten?
Pupil.	Oh! no, Sir.  He was not the man to do that.  Far from it, he vowed to accomplish single-handed that which his forty trusty comrades had not been able to perform.
Teacher.	Then had he conceived a new plan for compassing the destruction of Ali Baba?
Pupil.	Yes, Sir, and he started off next morning to put it into execution.
Teacher.	Where did he go?
Pupil.	To the city, where he took up his abode at an inn, thinking that he might there best hear the rumors that were sure to have got abroad concerning the events that had happened in Ali Baba's house.
Teacher.	Did his host tell him any such news?
Pupil.	No, Sir, he only talked on other subjects, without mentioning Ali Baba at all.
Teacher.	What did the robber infer from this?
Pupil.	That Ali Baba had kept the matter secret, in order to prevent the fact his acquaintance with the cave and its treasure from being divulged, and also perhaps because he was apprehensive of danger to his life.  This made the robber all the more anxious to discover some means of killing Ali Baba.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.(32.)
	Leaving the inn, he hired a small shop exactly opposite to that which had belonged to Cassim, and which he discovered to be now occupied by Ali Baba's son.  The furnishing of this shop with various precious articles of merchandise was an easy matter; for he had only to convey thither from the cave such rich silks and other goods as he deemed suitable.  He also assumed the feigned name of Cogia Houssain.  After he had thus established himself, his first care was to ingratiate himself with Ali Baba's son.  He made the young man small presents from time to time, frequently invited him to his house, and flattered and cajoled him in every way.
	At last Ali Baba's son felt that he could not continue to receive so many favors without making a suitable return for them.  But as his own house was small, he mentioned the matter to his father, with the request that he would assist him.  Ali Baba at once consented to take charge of the entertainment.  "My son," said he, "to-morrow will be Friday, the day on which all merchants close their shops.  Invite Cogia Houssain to take a walk with you in the afternoon; and, as you return, direct your steps so as to pass by my house, and then beg him to come in.  It will be better to manage it thus, than to issue a formal invitation.  I will give orders to Morgiana to prepare a good supper, and will have it ready by time you come."
	The son did as his father had suggested, and on the next afternoon, when returning from the walk, led Cogia Houssain, as if by accident, into the street where his father lived, and, reaching the house, knocked at the door.

Lesson 33.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	Where did the robber remove to, when he left the inn at which he had been staying?
Pupil.	To a small shop exactly opposite to the one which was occupied by Ali Baba's soon.
Teacher.	What did he convey there from the cave?
Pupil.	Various precious articles of merchandise, to furnish his shop with.
Teacher.	What was his first care after he had established himself?
Pupil.	To ingratiate himself with Ali Baba's son.
Teacher.	How did he manage to do that?
Pupil.	By making him presents from time to time, by inviting him to his house, and by flattering and cajoling him in every way.
Teacher.	What effect did this produce on the young man?
Pupil.	He was grateful for the many favors granted to him, and decided to make a suitable return for them.
Teacher.	Then did he invite Cogia Houssain to his own house?
Pupil.	No, Sir, it was too small.  So he got his father to take charge of the entertainment.
Teacher.	Did Ali Baba send Cogia Houssain a formal invitation?
Pupil.	No, he thought it would be better for his son to take him out for a walk on the following day, and, on the way home, to pass by the house as if by accident.  Then he could ask him in, Morgiana meanwhile having prepared a good supper.
Teacher.	Why was Friday chosen for the entertainment?
Pupil.	Because it is the Mahometan Sunday, on which all the merchants close their shops.
Teacher.	What did the son do when he reached his father's house?
Pupil.	He knocked at the door.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.(33.)
	"This," said he, "is my father's house.  My father has desired me to procure for him the honor of your acquaintance, having heard of your kindness to myself.  Pray add this to the many favors I have already received from you."
	Although the robber was now within reach of the object of his desires, he pretended to feel a delicacy about going in, and began excusing himself to the young man.  But as the door was opened by a slave at the same moment, his companion took him by the hand, and, as it were, forced him to enter.  Ali Baba received him in the most friendly manner.  "I cannot sufficiently thank you," said he, "for the kindness which you have shown to my son.  It is an inestimable benefit for him, young and ignorant of the world as he is, to be able to profit by the example and precepts of a man of your experience and attainments."
	Cogia Houssain made a polite reply, praising to the skies the young man, who, he averred, showed more sense and discrimination than many men of twice his age.  Then, after a short conversation on indifferent topics, he rose to take his leave.  But Ali Baba stopped him, saying: "Where are you going, Sir?  I entreat you to do me the honor of staying to supper.  I have, indeed, but a humble repast to offer.  But perhaps you will kindly take the will for the deed."  Cogia Houssain replied that he was fully sensible of Ali Baba's kindness, but that he regretted that a strong reason compelled him to decline the tempting invitation.

Lesson 34.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What did the young merchant say to Cogia Houssain on reaching Ali Baba's house?
Pupil.	He invited him in, saying that his father had heard of his kindness to himself, and wished for the honor of his acquaintance.
Teacher.	Doubtless the robber was delighted at being thus placed within reach of the object of his desires.
Pupil.	Yes, Sir; but he pretended to feel a delicacy about going in, and began excusing himself from doing so.
Teacher.	What did Ali Baba say to the guest, when the latter had, as it were, been forced to enter?
Pupil.	He said he could not sufficiently thank him for the kindness which he had shown to his son.
Teacher.	Why should it be a benefit for Ali Baba's son to associate with a man of Cogia Houssain's experience and attainments?
Pupil.	Because he himself was still young and ignorant of the world.
Teacher.	Did Cogia Houssain reply politely to Ali Baba's compliments?
Pupil.	Yes, he praised Ali Baba's son up to the skies, and averred that, young as he was, he showed more sense and discrimination than many men of twice his age.
Teacher.	When did Cogia Houssain rise to take his leave?
Pupil.	After they had had a short conversation on indifferent topics.
Teacher.	Did Ali Baba let him go?
Pupil.	No, Sir, he begged him to stay to supper.
Teacher.	Did Cogia Houssain accept this invitation?
Pupil.	No, he said that he was fully sensible of Ali Baba's kindness, but that there was a strong reason which compelled him to decline. -- What can it have been, I wonder?
Teacher.	You will see in the next section.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.(34.)
	"What might this reason be, Sir, if I may make so bold as to ask?" said Ali Baba. -- "It is this, said Cogia Houssain; "I never touch any dish that has salt in it.  Judge, then, of the figure I should cut at your table." -- "If that be your only reason," replied Ali Baba, "it need not deprive me of the honor of your company.  In the first place, the bread which is eaten in my house does not contain any salt; and as for the meat and other dishes, I promise you that there shall be no salt in those which are set before you.  Please do me the favor to remain, and I will give orders to that effect."
	So Ali Baba went into the kitchen to give Morgiana her instructions.  Morgiana, who had just finished cooking the supper with salt as usual, and was about to serve it, could not help expressing some discontent at the change required of her.  "Who," said she, "is this fanciful man that cannot eat salt?  Your supper will be good for nothing if I delay it any longer." -- "Do not be angry," replied Ali Baba, "he is a good man.  Do as I desire you."  Morgiana was fain to obey.  But her suspicions were roused, and she determined to see who this strange man was, who did not eat salt.  So, when the supper was at last ready, she helped Abdalla to carry it upstairs, and a single glance at the so-called Cogia Houssain revealed to her the robber-chief, who had so lately visited the house in the guise of an oil-merchant.

Lesson 35.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What did Cogia Houssain say, when Ali Baba asked him the reason why he would not stay to supper?
Pupil.	He said that he never touched salt, and would therefore cut a sorry figure at a friend's dinner-table, where of course everything would be flavored with salt.
Teacher.	How did Ali Baba prove to him that that reason need not deprive him of the pleasure of his company?
Pupil.	By telling that there was no salt in the bread eaten in his house, and that none should be put in the dishes set before him.
Teacher.	Then did Ali Baba give special orders to that effect?
Pupil.	Yes, Sir, he told Morgiana to put no salt in any of the dishes served that day.
Teacher.	Was Morgiana content with these instructions?
Pupil.	By no means.  She declared that the supper would be good for nothing, and asked who the fanciful man could be that ate no salt.
Teacher.	I suppose, however, that she was obliged to obey in the end?
Pupil.	Yes; but her suspicions were roused, and she determined to see for herself who the strange man was.
Teacher.	How did she manage to do so?
Pupil.	By helping Abdalla to carry the supper upstairs, when a single glance at the so-called Cogia Houssain revealed to her the robber-chief who had so lately visited the house in the guise of an oil-merchant.
Teacher.	What a revelation!
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.(35.)
	"Ha!" said she to herself, "no wonder that this villain will not eat salt with my master.  Why! there is a dagger concealed under his dress.  He means to murder my master.  However I will be even with him yet, and prevent him from carrying out his treacherous design."
Pupil.	Sir, I do not understand this at all.  What have murder and salt to do with one other?
Teacher.	No wonder you don't understand it.  In Mahometan countries it is considered a sign of friendship to eat salt with a man.  Even the greatest villain will not murder one whom he has eaten salt with.
Pupil.	Then was it because he meant to kill Ali Baba that the robber refused to eat salt with him?
Teacher.	Exactly so.
	When Morgiana had finished helping Abdalla to carry up the dishes, she availed herself of the time during which the party sat at supper to make the necessary preparations for the execution of a design which she had conceived.  Then she and Abdalla cleared away the cloth, and brought in the dessert and the wine, which, with three cups, she placed on a small table near Ali Baba.  This done, she and Abdalla left the room, as if to go and get a bit of supper themselves, while Ali Baba and his son and their guest were left to make merry over their wine.

Lesson 36.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What did Morgiana say to herself on recognizing the robber?
Pupil.	She said it was no wonder he would not eat salt with her master, for that he evidently meant to murder him.
Teacher.	What made her think so?
Pupil.	Well, Sir, in the first place she knew that he had long been going about trying to do so; and besides, she saw that he had a dagger concealed under his dress.
Teacher.	What determination did she forthwith come to?
Pupil.	To be even with the villain yet.
Teacher.	How?
Pupil.	By preventing him from carrying out his treacherous design.
Teacher.	What did Morgiana help Abdalla to do?
Pupil.	To carry the supper upstairs.
Teacher.	What did she do while the party sat at supper?
Pupil.	She availed herself of the interval in order to make the necessary preparations fro the execution of a design which she had conceived.
Teacher.	What did she and Abdalla do next?
Pupil.	They cleared away the cloth, and brought in the dessert.
Teacher.	Where did they place the wine and the cups?
Pupil.	On a small table near Ali Baba?
Teacher.	What did they pretend to be going to do when they left the room?
Pupil.	They pretended to be going to get a bit of supper themselves.
Teacher.	What were Ali Baba and his son and their guest left to do meanwhile?
Pupil.	They were left to make merry over their wine.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.(36.)
	Cogia Houssain, or rather the captain of the Forty Thieves, now thought that a favorable opportunity had arrived for revenging himself on Ali Baba.  "I will make them both intoxicated," thought he, "and the son, against whom I bear no malice, will not be able to prevent my plunging my dagger into his father's heart.  Then I can escape by way of the garden, as I did before, while the cook and the slave are at their supper, or perhaps asleep in the kitchen."
	Nothing, however, was further from Morgiana's thoughts than either eating or sleeping.  She had penetrated the villain's intentions, and was determined not to allow him time to carry them into execution.  She dressed herself like a dancing-girl, covered her face with a handsome mask, and bound round her waist a girdle of gilt silver, to which she fastened a dagger made of the same metal.  Then she said to Abdalla, "Take your tabor and follow me.  Let us not be behindhand in helping to entertain our master's guest.  You know that our master likes to see me dance."  So in they walked to where the party was sitting drinking.  Abdalla led the way, tabor in hand.  Morgiana followed him, and made a low curtsey to the company as she entered the room.  "Ah! come in, Morgiana! come in!" cried Ali Baba, as the sound of the music struck his ears.  "Come in, and our guest shall judge whether (though I say it that shouldn't) there is not some little talent in this establishment for us to be proud of."

Lesson 37.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What plan did the robber adopt, when he saw that a favorable opportunity for revenging himself on Ali Baba had arrived?
Pupil.	He determined to make both the father and the son intoxicated, to plunge his dagger into the father's heart, and then to escape by way of the garden.
Teacher.	But would he not have been discovered by Morgiana and Abdalla?
Pupil.	He thought that they would either be at their supper, or else perhaps asleep in the kitchen.
Teacher.	But we know better, -- don't we?  We know that nothing was further from Morgiana's thoughts just then than either eating or sleeping.
Pupil.	Yes, indeed, Sir.  She was determined not to give the villain time to carry his design into execution.
Teacher.	Why did he not want to kill Ali Baba's son also?
Pupil.	Because he bore him no malice.
Teacher.	How did Morgiana dress herself?
Pupil.	Like a dancing girl, with a mask on her face, and a girdle of gilt silver round her waist and a dagger fastened to the girdle. -- Sir, what is a tabor?
Teacher.	It is an old-fashioned musical instrument, -- a sort of small drum, I believe. -- How was Abdalla made to help in the entertainment?
Pupil.	By playing on the tabor, for Morgiana to dance to.
Teacher.	Who led the way into the dining room?
Pupil.	Abdalla did, and Morgiana followed him, curtseying low to the company as she entered..
Teacher.	Was Ali Baba pleased when the sound of the music struck his ears?
Pupil.	Yes, very.  He at once called out to the pair to come in and let the guest judge of the talent of the establishment.
Teacher.	What is meant by the expression "though I say it that shouldn't?"
Pupil.	It is an apologetic or self-depreciatory phrase, -- somewhat as if one should say, "It is wrong of me to praise what belongs to myself; so I hope you will excuse me for doing so."
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.(37.)
	To tell the truth, it was no pleasant surprise to Cogia Houssain to have this entertainment added to the supper.  For it made him fear that the opportunity for murdering Ali Baba might slip through his hands.  However he put the best face on it, and pretended to be vastly pleased, consoling himself inwardly with the hope that, if this chance failed, another might soon present itself.
	Abdalla forthwith began to play on his tabor, and to sing an air for Morgiana to dance to.  This she did so admirably, that any spectator must have allowed her to be quite the equal of the best professional performer.  After having gone through several dances with equal grace and agility, she at length drew out the dagger, and, dancing with it in her hand, she surpassed all she had yet done by the lightness of her movement, the height of her leaps, and the wonderful effects with which she interspersed the figure, sometimes presenting the dagger as if to strike, at others holding it to her own bosom, pretending to stab herself.  At length, as if out of breath, she paused a moment, and took the tabor from Abdalla's hand.

Lesson 38.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	Why was the dancing and playing no pleasant surprise to Cogia Houssain?
Pupil.	Because it made him fear that the opportunity for murdering Ali Baba might slip through his hands.
Teacher.	Did he put a good face on his disappointment?
Pupil.	Oh! yes, Sir.  He pretended to be vastly pleased, and consoled himself inwardly with the hope that, if this chance failed, another might soon present itself.
Teacher.	What did Abdalla play on his tabor for?
Pupil.	For Morgiana to dance to.
Teacher.	Did she dance well?
Pupil.	Admirably.  Indeed any spectator must have allowed her to be quite the equal of the best professional performer.
Teacher.	What did Abdalla do besides playing?
Pupil.	He sang an air.
Teacher.	What was the last dance Morgiana danced?
Pupil.	One with a dagger, which she held all the while in her hand, executing various figures with it.
Teacher.	What sort of figures?
Pupil.	All sorts.  For instance, sometimes she turned the dagger towards one of the spectators as if to strike him, at others she held it to her own bosom, pretending to stab herself.
Teacher.	What were her feet busy about meanwhile?
Pupil.	They were dancing and leaping with the greatest grace and agility, and performing movements of wonderful lightness.
Teacher.	What did she do when at length she paused?
Pupil.	She took the tabor from Abdalla's hand.
Teacher.	Was she really out of breath?
Pupil.	I don't know.  Perhaps she only pretended to be.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.(38.)
	This was done in imitation of the practice of the professional dancers of that time, who used this means to excite the liberality of the spectators.  Ali Baba threw a piece of gold into the tabor.  Morgiana then presented it to his son, who followed his example.  Cogia Houssain, who saw that she was advancing towards him for the same purpose, had already taken his purse from his bosom to make a suitable contribution, when Morgiana, without a moment's hesitation, plunged the dagger into his heart.
	Ali Baba and his son, terrified at this action, uttered a long cry of horror.  "Wretch!" cried Ali Baba, "what have you done?  You have ruined me and my family for ever."
	"What I have done," replied Morgiana, "is not for your ruin, but for your preservation."  Then opening Cogia Houssain's robe to show Ali Baba the poniard which was concealed beneath it, "See," continued she, "the cruel enemy you had to deal with.  Examine his countenance attentively, and tell me if you do not recognize the pretended oil-merchant and the captain of the Forty Thieves.  Do you not remember that he refused to eat salt with you?  Can you require a stronger proof of the maliciousness of his intentions?  The moment you told me of this peculiarity in your guest, I suspected his design, and you now have before you the proof that my suspicions were not unfounded."

Lesson 39.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	Why did Morgiana hold out the tabor to her master?
Pupil.	In order to get some money from him.  It was a common practice with the professional dancers of that time.
Teacher.	What did Cogia Houssain do when Morgiana advanced towards him, holding out the tabor?
Pupil.	He took out his purse to look for a piece of gold to throw into it.
Teacher.	And what did she do?
Pupil.	She plunged the dagger into his heart without a moment's hesitation.
Teacher.	What did she do this for?
Pupil.	Because she had, from the beginning, noticed the poniard under his robe, and had suspected his treacherous design against her master.
Teacher.	What did Ali Baba and his son do in their astonishment at this action of Morgiana's?
Pupil.	They uttered a loud cry of horror, and Ali Baba accused Morgiana of having ruined him and his family for ever.
Teacher.	Had Morgiana really done so?
Pupil.	By no means.  Far from ruining them, she had preserved their lives.
Teacher.	How did she prove the truth of her assertion?
Pupil.	By showing Ali Baba the poniard under the dead man's robe, by reminding him of his refusal to eat salt with the family, and by leading him to recognize in his features the countenance of the pretended oil-merchant and of the captain of the Forty Thieves.
Teacher.	When had Morgiana begun to suspect that her master's guest was harboring some evil design?
Pupil.	From the very moment that Ali Baba had told her of Cogia Houssain's peculiarity in refusing to eat anything with salt in it.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.(39.)
	Ali Baba, being thus made aware of the fresh obligation he was under to Morgiana for having saved his life a second time, embraced her and said, "Morgiana, when I gave you your liberty, I promised to bestow on you at some future period a still more signal token of my gratitude.  That period has now arrived, and I present you to my son as his wife."  Then turning to his son, he said: "I believe you to be so dutiful a son that you will not take it amiss if I betroth you to Morgiana without having previously consulted your inclinations.  Your obligation to her is no less than my own.  You plainly see that the so-called Cogia Houssain only sought your acquaintance as a means towards the execution of his diabolical treachery; and had he sacrificed me to his vengeance, it is hardly to be believed that you would have been spared.
	The son was only too glad to consent to the proposed union with Morgiana.  Indeed he averred that he did so, not only out of due deference to his father's wishes, but also because his own inclinations prompted him in the same direction.  But the first thing to be done was to bury the captain of the Forty Thieves by the side of his former companions.  This Ali Baba, his son, and their slave Abdalla did with the utmost secrecy and dispatch, so that no rumor of what had happened ever leaked out till after the expiration of many years, when no one was any longer interested in keeping this memorable history concealed.

Lesson 40.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What did Ali Baba do when he was made aware of the fresh obligation he was under to Morgiana for having saved his life a second time?
Pupil.	He embraced her, and told her that the time for keeping his promise of bestowing on her some signal token of his gratitude had now arrived.
Teacher.	And what was this token of gratitude to be?
Pupil.	Her betrothal to his son.
Teacher.	Had he consulted his son's inclinations on this point?
Pupil.	No, Sir; but he believed the young man to be so dutiful a son that he would not take it amiss if his father ordered him to marry Morgiana.
Teacher.	Of course, because the son was under an obligation to Morgiana for having saved his father's life.
Pupil.	Yes, and not only so, but she had probably saved his own as well; for it was hardly to be believed that the wretch, who sought to revenge himself on Ali Baba, would have spared Ali Baba's son.
Teacher.	Why had Cogia Houssain sought that young man's acquaintance?
Pupil.	Simply as a means towards the execution of his diabolical treachery.
Teacher.	Did Ali Baba's son consent to the proposed marriage with Morgiana?
Pupil.	Yes, gladly.  Indeed he declared that he did so, not only out of due deference to his father's wishes, but also because his own inclinations prompted him in the same direction.
Teacher.	Did they first bury the captain of the Forty Thieves?
Pupil.	Yes, they buried him with the utmost secrecy and dispatch by the side of his former companions.
Teacher.	Did no rumor of what had happened leak out?
Pupil.	Not till after the expiration of many years, when no one was any longer interested in keeping the matter secret.
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.(40.)
	A few days later the marriage of Ali Baba's son with Morgiana was solemnized great rejoicings.  When it was over, Ali Baba would fain have paid a visit to the cave, where he had not been since the day when he brought away the body of his unfortunate brother, Cassim.  But he refrained from doing so even after the death of thirty-seven of the robbers and of their captain; for he was ignorant of the fate of the other two, and supposed them to be still alive.
	At the expiration of a year, however, finding that no more attempts were made against him, he determined to risk going there.  When he reached the well-remembered spot in the forest, and uttered the words "Open, Sesame!" the door opened, and he entered.  The state of the cave was such as to convince him that no one had been there for many months.  He therefore arrived at the natural conclusion that all the robbers were dead, and that he himself was now the only person in the world who knew the secret which gave access to the cave.  The whole of the immense treasure accumulated there was thus at his sole disposal.  He carried away on this occasion a horseload of gold.  Afterwards he taught the secret to his son, by whom it was handed down to his children and their descendants.  The various members of the family were wise enough to enjoy their riches without ostentation.  So they flourished greatly, and continued for many for many generations to hold the highest offices in the capital, and to enjoy the esteem of their fellow-citizens.

Lesson 41.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What took place a few days later?
Pupil.	The marriage of Ali Baba's son with Morgiana.
Teacher.	What would Ali Baba have liked to do after the rejoicings were over?
Pupil.	He would have liked to visit the cave, where he had not been since the day when he brought away the body of his unfortunate brother, Cassim.
Teacher.	What made him refrain from doing so?
Pupil.	His fear that two of the robbers might still be alive; for he only knew of the death of thirty-seven of them and of their captain.
Teacher.	When did he at last determine to risk it?
Pupil.	At the expiration of a year, when he found that no more attempts were made against him.
Teacher.	What did he do on reaching the well-remembered spot in the forest?
Pupil.	He uttered the words "Open, Sesame!" whereupon the door flew open, and he entered.
Teacher.	How was he convinced that no one had been in the cave for many months?
Pupil.	By the state in which he found it.
Teacher.	And at what conclusion did he arrive?
Pupil.	That all the robbers were dead, and that he himself was now the only person in the world who knew the secret which gave access to the cave.
Teacher.	Then was the whole of the immense treasure accumulated there at his sole disposal?
Pupil.	Yes, Sir, and he hastened to carry away a horse-load of gold.
Teacher.	Did he keep the secret to himself?
Pupil.	No, he taught it to his son, by whom it was handed down to his children and their descendants.
Teacher.	In what way did the various members of the family show their wisdom?
Pupil.	By enjoying their riches without ostentation.
Teacher.	What effect did this wisdom of theirs have?
Pupil.	It caused them to flourish greatly, so that they continued for many generations to hold the highest offices in the capital, and to enjoy the esteem of their fellow-citizens.
………………………………………
Teacher.	Well, that is the end of the story of "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves."  What do you think of it?
Pupil.	Oh! Sir, I think it is one of the most interesting stories I have ever read.
Teacher.	Which of the characters in it do you like best?
Pupil.	Oh!  I like Morgiana best.  She seems to have been as faithful to her master as she was sharp-witted.
Teacher.	That is true.  But she was rather too crafty to please me.
Pupil.	Then, Sir, do you like Ali Baba best?
Teacher.	I think I do.  He wasn't as clever as Morgiana, but he was an honest, genial sort of fellow.
Pupil.	Which are the other most celebrated stories in the "Arabian Nights"?
Teacher.	Well, they are all well-known.  But perhaps "Aladdin," "Sindbad the Sailor," and "The Sleeper Awakened" are the greatest favorites.  You ought to try to get hold of them.

SECOND PART
KING LEAR.

Lesson 42.
CONVERSATION.
Pupil.	Sir, What is "King Lear?"
Teacher.	It is the name of one of Shakespeare's plays.
Pupil.	Who is Shakespeare?
Teacher.	He was an English dramatist of the sixteenth century, and he is generally considered to have been the greatest poet that has ever lived.
Pupil.	And what are Lamb's "Tales from Shakespeare?"
Teacher.	They are stories giving the plot of Shakespeare's chief plays in easy words.
Pupil.	Then were they written for children?
Teacher.	Yes, Shakespeare's beautiful poetry is too difficult for children to understand; and so a brother and sister, called Charles and Mary Lamb, wrote this book as a sort of introduction to it.
Pupil.	When did Charles and Mary Lamb live?
Teacher.	At the beginning of the present century.
Pupil.	Were they celebrated authors?
Teacher.	Charles Lamb was.  He was a celebrated essayist.
Pupil.	Do you think we shall like this story as much as "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves?"
Teacher.	I hope so; but it is quite a different sort of story.
Pupil.	What is it about?
Teacher.	It is about three daughters, two of whom behaved wickedly towards their old father, and one was good to him.
KING LEAR.(1.)
	Lear, King of Britain, had three daughters: Gonerill, wife to the Duke of Albany; Regan, wife to the Duke of Cornwall; and Cordelia, a young maid, for whose love King of France and Duke of Burgundy were joint suitors, and were at this time making stay for that purpose in the court of Lear.
	The old king, worn out with age and the fatigues of government, he being more than fourscore years old, determined to take no further part in state affairs, but to leave the management to younger strengths, that he might have time to prepare for death, which must at no long period ensue.  With this intent he called his three daughters to him, to know from their own lips which of them loved him best, that he might part his kingdom among them in such proportions as their affection for him should seem to deserve.
	Gonerill, the eldest, declared that she loved her father more than words could give out, that he was dearer to her than the light of her own eyes, dearer than life and liberty, with a deal of such professing stuff, which is easy to counterfeit where there is no real love, only a few fine words delivered with confidence being wanted in that case.  The king, delighted to hear from her own mouth this assurance of her love, and thinking truly that her heart went with it, in a fit of fatherly fondness bestowed upon her and her husband one-third of his ample kingdom.

Lesson 43.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	Who was Cordelia?
Pupil.	She was King Lear's youngest daughter.
Teacher.	Was she married?
Pupil.	No, Sir, but she had two suitors, the King of France and the Duke of Burgundy. 
Teacher.	Why were they staying at Lear's court?
Pupil.	In order to make love to her.
Teacher.	What had made King Lear determine to give over the management of state affairs to younger hands than his?
Pupil.	His great age; for he was over eighty years old, and was, besides, worn out with fatigue and anxiety.
Teacher.	Had he any other reason besides this one?
Pupil.	Yes, he wanted to prepare for death, which he knew must soon ensue.
Teacher.	What did he call his three daughters to him for?
Pupil.	To know from their own lips which of them loved him best.
Teacher.	How did he intend to act on that information?
Pupil.	He meant to divide his kingdom among them in such proportions as their affection for him should seem to deserve.
Teacher.	What fine professions did Gonerill make?
Pupil.	She declared that she loved her father more than words could express, that he was dearer to her than life, and more to that effect.
Teacher.	Was hers only a counterfeit love?
Pupil.	Yes, but her fine words took in the poor old king, who was delighted to hear such assurances from her own mouth.
Teacher.	Then he thought truly that her heart went with what she said?
Pupil.	Oh! yes, and, as a reward, he bestowed upon her one-third of his kingdom.
Teacher.	Why is it easy to counterfeit real affection?
Pupil.	Because nothing is needed but a few fine words delivered with confidence.
KING LEAR.(2.)
	Then, calling to him his second daughter, he demanded what she had to say.  Regan, who was made of the same hollow metal as her sister, was not a whit behind in her professions, but rather declared that what her sister had spoken came short of the love which she professed to bear for His Highness; insomuch that she found all other joys dead, in comparison with the pleasure which she took in the love of her dear king and father.  Lear blessed himself in having such loving children, as he thought; and could do no less, after the handsome assurances which Regan had made, than bestow a third of his kingdom upon her and her husband, equal in size to that which he had already given away to Gonerill.
	Then turning to his youngest daughter Cordelia, whom he called his joy, he asked what she had to say, thinking, no doubt, that she would glad his ears with the same loving speeches which her sisters had uttered, or rather that her expressions would be so much stronger than theirs, as she had always been his darling, and favored by him above either of the.  But Cordelia, disgusted with the flattery of her sisters, whose hearts she knew were far from their lips, and seeing that all their coaxing speeches were only intended to wheedle the old king out of his dominions, that they and their husbands might reign in his life time, made no other reply but this, that she loved his Majesty according to her duty, neither more nor less.

Lesson 44
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What sort of woman was Regan?
Pupil.	She was made of the same hollow metal as her sister Gonerill, and was not a whit behind the latter in her professions.
Teacher.	What did she say about the love which she professed to bear for her father?
Pupil.	She said that it made all other joys seem dead in comparison.
Teacher.	Why did Lear bless himself?
Pupil.	Because he thought he had loving daughters.
Teacher.	How did he requite Regan's handsome assurances?
Pupil.	By bestowing upon her and her husband a third of his kingdom, equal in size to that which he had already given away to Gonerill.
Teacher.	Why did King Lear call Cordelia his joy?
Pupil.	Because she had always been his darling, and favored above his two elder daughters.
Teacher.	How did he think she would reply to his question?
Pupil.	He thought she would rejoice his ears with the same loving speeches which her sisters had uttered, or rather that her expressions of affection would be even stronger than theirs.
Teacher.	Why did Cordelia coldly reply that she only loved him according to her duty, neither more nor less?
Pupil.	Because she did not wish to imitate the flattery of her sisters, which had disgusted her.
Teacher.	She knew, then, that her sisters' hearts were far from their lips?
Pupil.	Ah! yes, Sir; she saw quite well that all their coaxing speeches were only intended to wheedle the poor old king out of his dominions.
KING LEAR.(3.)
	The king, shocked with this appearance of ingratitude in his favorite child, desired her to consider her words and to mend her speech, lest it should mar her fortunes.
	Cordelia then told her father that he was her father, that he had given her breeding, and loved her, that she returned those duties back as was most fit, and did obey him, love him, and most honor him.  But that she could not frame her mouth to such large speeches as her sisters had done, or promise to love nothing else in the world.  Why had her sisters husbands, if (as they said) they had no love for anything but their father?  If she should ever wed, she was sure the lord to whom she gave her hand would want half her love, half of her care and duty: she should never marry like her sisters, to love her father all.
	Cordelia, who in earnest loved her old father even almost as extravagantly as her sisters pretended to do, would have plainly told him so at any other time, in more daughterlike and loving terms, and without these qualifications, which did indeed sound a little ungracious; but after the crafty, flattering speeches of her sisters, which she had seen draw such extravagant rewards, she thought the handsomest thing she could do was to love and be silent.  This put her affection out of suspicion of mercenary ends, and showed that she loved, but not for gain; and that her professions, the less ostentatious they were, had so much the more of truth and sincerity than her sisters'.

Lesson 45.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	Was not the old king shocked at this appearance of ingratitude in his favorite child?
Pupil.	Indeed he was, Sir; and he desired her to consider her words, and to mend her speech, lest it should mar her fortunes.
Teacher.	What did Cordelia say in reply to this?
Pupil.	She told her father that she loved, honored, and obeyed him according to her duty, but that she could not promise to love nothing else in the world: her mouth could not frame itself to such large speeches.
Teacher.	What did she say she should do if she were ever married?
Pupil.	She said that she should give half her love to her husband, reserving the other half for her father.
Teacher.	How did she twit her sisters?
Pupil.	By saying that, if they had no love for anything but their father, they had no right to have husbands.
Teacher.	Cordelia may have been honest in naming these qualifications to her love for her old father, but didn't her speech sound a little ungracious?
Pupil.	It did; and at any other time she would have spoken in more daughterlike terms.
Teacher.	Then why did she not do so now?
Pupil.	In order to put her affection out of suspicion of mercenary ends, to show that she did not love her father for the sake of gain, and that her professions, the less ostentatious they were, had so much the more of truth and sincerity than her sisters'.
Teacher.	Then Cordelia did love her old father, -- did she?
Pupil.	Oh! yes; she loved him in earnest almost as extravagantly as her sisters pretended to do.
KING LEAR.(4.)
	This plainness of speech, which Lear called pride, so enraged the old monarch, -- who in his best of times, always showed much of spleen and rashness, and in whom the dotage incident to old age had so clouded over his reason that he could not discern truth from flattery, nor a gay painted speech from words that came from the heart, -- that in a fury of resentment he retracted the third part of his kingdom which yet remained, and which he had reserved for Cordelia, and gave it away from her, sharing it equally between her two sisters and their husbands, the Dukes of Albany and Cornwall, whom he now called to him, and in presence of all his courtiers, bestowing a coronet between them, invested them jointly with all the power, revenue, and execution of government, only retaining to himself the name of king; all the rest of royalty he resigned, with this reservation, that himself, with a hundred knights for his attendants for his attendants, was to be maintained by monthly course in each of his daughters' palaces in turn.
	So preposterous a disposal of his kingdom, so little guided by reason and so much by passion, filled all his courtiers with astonishment and sorrow; but none of them had the courage to interpose between this incensed king and his wrath except the Earl of Kent, who was beginning to speak a good word for Cordelia, when the passionate Lear on pain of death commanded him to desist.

Lesson 46.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	Why was the old monarch enraged by Cordelia's plainness of speech?
Pupil.	Because he considered it to spring from pride.
Teacher.	Was Lear an able man?
Pupil.	No, Sir, even at his best he had never been clever; and the dotage incident to old age had so clouded over his reason that he could not discern truth from flattery.
Teacher.	What preposterous act did he commit in the fury of his resentment against Cordelia?
Pupil.	Instead of giving her the third of his kingdom which yet remained, he shared it between her sisters, and gave her nothing at all.
Teacher.	How was this arrangement solemnized?
Pupil.	By the old king calling his two eldest daughters and their husbands to him, giving them a coronet, and investing them jointly with the royal power.
Teacher.	Then did he make no reservation in his own favor?
Pupil.	Only this: -- that he and the hundred knights whom he kept as his attendants, were to be maintained by each of his two daughters, month and month about.
Teacher.	What did the courtiers think of his resignation of the royal power?
Pupil.	They were filled with sorrow and astonishment when they heard his declaration to that effect.
Teacher.	Did none of them have the courage to interpose between the angry old king and Cordelia?
Pupil.	None of them except the Earl of Kent.
Teacher.	Did the king listen to Kent's pleading for Cordelia?
Pupil.	No, he commanded him to desist of pain of death.
Teacher.	What a pity it was that Lear could not see that Cordelia's words came from her heart!
KING LEAR.(5.)
	But the good Kent was not so to be repelled.  He had been ever loyal to Lear, whom he had honored as a king, loved as a father, followed as a master; and had never esteemed his life further than as a pawn to wage against his royal master's enemies, nor feared to lose it when Lear's safety was the motive; nor, now that Lear was most his won enemy, did this faithful servant of the king forget his old principles, but manfully opposed Lear, to do Lear good; and was unmannerly only because Lear was mad.  He had been a most faithful counselor in times past to the king, and he besought him now that he would see with his eyes (as he had done in many weighty matters), and go by his advice still; and in his best consideration recall his hideous rashness; for he would answer with his life his judgment, that Lear's youngest daughter did not love him least, nor were those empty-hearted whose low sound gave no token of hollowness.  When power bowed to flattery, honor was bound to plainness.  For Lear's threats, what could he do to him, whose life was already at his service?  That should not hinder duty from speaking.
	The honest freedom of this good Earl of Kent only stirred up the king's wrath the more, and, like a frantic patient who kills his physician and loves his mortal disease, he banished this true servant, and allotted him but five days to make his preparations for departure; but if on the sixth his hated person were found within the realm of Britain, that moment was to be his death.

Lesson 47.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	Why was the good Earl of Kent not to be repelled by Lear's threat of capital punishment?
Pupil.	Because he was only opposing Lear to do Lear good, and did not esteem his own life except in so far as it could be of service to his master.
Teacher.	Then he had always been loyal to Lear, -- had he?
Pupil.	Yes, indeed, Sir.  He had honored him as a king, loved him as a father, and followed him as a master.
Teacher.	What did he now beseech the king to do?
Pupil.	TO go by his advice and see with his eyes, as he had often done before in many weighty matters.
Teacher.	What did he say in favor of Cordelia?
Pupil.	He said that he would answer for it with his life that she did not love her father less than Gonerill and Regan did.
Teacher.	What did he mean when he added that "those are not empty-hearted whose low sound gives no token of hollowness?"
Pupil.	He meant to say that those who make the least professions of affection are often those who have most love in their hearts, -- that, in fact, plain honest speech is better than flattery.
Teacher.	What effect did Kent's freedom of speech have on the king?
Pupil.	It only stirred up his anger the more.
Teacher.	How did he vent his wrath on his faithful servant?
Pupil.	He banished him from Britain, allotting him but five days to make his preparations for departure.
Teacher.	What was to happen to Kent, if he were still found in Britain on the sixth day?
Pupil.	He was to be put to death.
KING LEAR.(6.)
	And Kent bid farewell to the king, and said that since he chose to show himself in such fashion, it was but banishment to stay there; and before he went, he recommended Cordelia to the protection of the gods -- the maid who had so rightly thought and so discreetly spoken, and only wished that her sisters' large speeches might be answered with deeds of love; and then he went, as he said, to shape his old course to a new country.
	The King of France and Duke of Burgundy were now called in to hear the determination of Lear about his youngest daughter, and to know whether they would persist in their courtship to Cordelia, now that she was under her father's displeasure, and had no fortune but her own person to recommend her.  The Duke of Burgundy declined the match, and would not take her to wife upon such conditions; but the King of France, understanding what the nature of the fault had been which had lost her the love of her father -- that it was only a tardiness of speech, and the not being able to frame her tongue to flattery like her sisters -- took this young maid by the hand, and saying that her virtues were a dowry above a kingdom, bid Cordelia to take farewell of her sisters and of her father, though he had been unkind, and she should go with him, and be queen of him and of fair France, and reign over fairer possessions than her sisters; and he called the Duke of Burgundy in contempt a waterish duke, because his love for this young maid had in a moment run all away like water. 

Lesson 48.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What did Kent mean when he said that, far from objecting to banishment, he should consider it greater banishment to remain in Britain?
Pupil.	I suppose he meant that, now that the king had disposed of his kingdom in so unnatural a manner, Britain no longer felt like home.
Teacher.	What did he say in recommending Cordelia to the protection of the gods?
Pupil.	He said that she had thought rightly and spoken discreetly, and that he only hoped her sisters might be as good as their grandiloquent speeches promised.
Teacher.	What happened after Kent had gone away?
Pupil.	The King of France and the Duke of Burgundy were called in to hear the determination of Lear about his youngest daughter, and to know whether they would persist in their courtship, now that Cordelia's face was her only fortune.
Teacher.	What did they say?
Pupil.	The Duke of Burgundy declined the match under such conditions.  But the King of France took Cordelia by the hand, saying she should be his queen, and should rule over fairer possessions than either of her sisters.
Teacher.	How did he come to act so handsomely towards one who had incurred her father's displeasure?
Pupil.	Because he understood that her so-called fault was only a tardiness of speech, which made her unable to utter such flattery as her sisters had done.
Teacher.	In what terms did he praise her virtues?
Pupil.	He said they were a dowry above a kingdom.
Teacher.	And in what terms did he express his contempt for the Duke of Burgundy?
Pupil.	He laughed at him as a waterish fellow, because his love had run away in a moment, like water.
KING LEAR.(7.)
	Then Cordelia with weeping eyes took leave of her sisters, and besought them to love their father well, and make good their professions; and they sullenly told her not to prescribe to them, for they knew their duty, but to strive to content her husband, who had taken her (as they tauntingly expressed it) as Fortune's alms.  And Cordelia with a heavy heart departed, for she knew the cunning of her sisters, and she wished her father in better hands than she was about to leave him in.
	Cordelia was no sooner gone than the devilish dispositions of her sisters began to show themselves in their true colors.  Even before the expiration of the first month, which Lear was to spend by agreement with his eldest daughter Gonerill, the old king began to find out the difference between promises and performances.  This wretch, having got from her father all that he had to bestow, even to the giving away of the crown from off his head, began to grudge even those small remnants of royalty which the old man had reserved to himself, to please his fancy with the idea of being still a king.  She could not bear to see him and his hundred knights.  Every time she met her father, she put on a frowning countenance; and when the old man wanted to speak with her, she would feign sickness, or anything to be rid of the sight of him; for it was plain that she esteemed his old age a useless burden, and his attendants an unnecessary expense.

Lesson 49.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What request did Cordelia make to her sisters when she took leave of them?
Pupil.	She besought them to make good their professions of love for their father.
Teacher.	Did they answer her courteously?
Pupil.	No, Sir; they told her not to prescribe to them, for that they knew their duty well enough already, and added that, as she was leaving her father, she had better try to content the husband who was marrying her out of charity.
Teacher.	Why did Cordelia depart with a heavy heart?
Pupil.	Because she knew her sisters' cunning, and wished her father in better hands than theirs.
Teacher.	Did their wicked disposition soon show itself in its true colors?
Pupil.	Yes, indeed.  Even before the expiration of the first month, the poor old king began to find out the difference promises and performances.
Teacher.	How so?
Pupil.	Because his eldest daughter Gonerill, with whom, by agreement, he went to spend the first month, treated him shabbily.
Teacher.	How did her unfilial spirit first show itself?
Pupil.	By her grudging her father even those small remnants of royalty which he had reserved for himself.
Teacher.	In what did those remnants of royalty consist?
Pupil.	In his title of king and in his retinue of a hundred knights.
Teacher.	What did she say about these hundred knights who attended him?
Pupil.	She said they were an unnecessary expense.
Teacher.	What did she do every time she met her father?
Pupil.	She put on a frowning countenance.
Teacher.	And how did she treat him when he wanted to speak to her?
Pupil.	She would feign sickness or any thing to be rid of the sight of him.
Teacher.	What a wicked woman she must have been!
KING LEAR. (8.)
	Not only she herself slackened in her expressions duty to the king, but by her example, and (it is to be feared) not without her private instructions, her very servants affected to treat him with neglect, and would either refuse to obey his orders, or still more contemptuously pretend not to hear them.  Lear could not but perceive this alteration in the behavior of his daughter, but he shut his eyes against it as long as he could, as people commonly are unwilling to believe the unpleasant consequences which their own mistakes and obstinacy have brought upon them.
	True love and fidelity are no more to be estranged by ill, than falsehood and hollow-heartedness can be conciliated by good, usage.  This eminently appears in the instance of good Earl of Kent, who, though banished by Lear, and his life made forfeit if he were found in Britain, chose to stay and abide all consequences, as long as there was a chance of his being useful to the king his master.  See to what mean shifts and disguises poor loyalty is forced to submit sometimes; yet it counts nothing base or unworthy, so as it can but do service where it owes an obligation.  In the disguise of a serving-man, all his greatness and pomp laid aside, this good earl proffered his services to the king……..

Lesson 50.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	Was Gonerill the only one who slackened in her expressions of duty to the old king?
Pupil.	No, Sir, even the very servants neglected him, and would either refuse to obey his orders or pretend not to hear them.
Teacher.	I suppose they imitated their mistresses example.
Pupil.	No doubt; and perhaps she may even have given them private instructions to that effect.
Teacher.	Didn't Lear perceive this alteration in his daughter's behavior?
Pupil.	Yes; but he shut his eyes against it as long as he could.
Teacher.	Why?
Pupil.	Well, Sir, I suppose he was like most people.  Most people are unwilling to believe the unpleasant consequences which their own mistakes and obstinacy have brought upon them.
Teacher.	What truth did the good Earl of Kent illustrate?
Pupil.	That true love and fidelity are no more to be estranged by ill-usage, than falsehood and hollow-heartedness can be conciliated by good usage.
Teacher.	How so?
Pupil.	Because, although he had been banished and threatened with death if he were found in Britain, he yet chose to stay and abide all consequences, as long as there was a chance of his being useful to the king his master.
Teacher.	Why are loyal-hearted men sometimes forced to submit to shifts and disguises?
Pupil.	In order to serve those to whom they owe an obligation.
Teacher.	In what disguise did the good earl proffer his services to the king?
Pupil.	In the disguise of a serving-man.
KING LEAR.(9.)
…………..who, not knowing him to be Kent in that disguise, but pleased with a certain plainness, or rather bluntness in his answers which the earl put on (so different from that smooth, oily flattery which he had so much reason to be sick of, having found the effects not answerable in his daughter), a bargain was quickly struck, and Lear took Kent into his service by the name of Caius, as he called himself, never suspecting him to be his once great favorite, the high and mighty Earl of Kent.
	This Caius quickly found means to show his fidelity and love to his royal master; for Gonerill's steward that same day behaving in a disrespectful manner to Lear, and giving him saucy looks and language, as no doubt he was secretly encouraged to do by his mistress, Caius, not enduring to hear so open an affront put upon majesty, made no more ado, but presently rippled up his heels, and laid the unmannerly slave in the kennel, for which friendly service Lear became more and more attached to him.
	Nor was Kent the only friend Lear had.  In his degree, and as far as so insignificant a personage could show his love, the poor fool, or jester, that had been of his palace while Lear had a palace, as it was the custom of kings and great personages at that time to keep a fool (as he was called) to make them sport after serious business -- this poor fool clung to Lear after he had given away his crown, and by his witty sayings would keep up his good humor, though he could not refrain sometimes from jeering at his master for his imprudence in uncrowning himself and giving all away to his daughters:

Lesson 51.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	Why was the king, who did not know the Earl of Kent in his disguise, pleased with him?
Pupil.	On account of the plainness, or rather bluntness, which the earl affected in his answers.
Teacher.	Why should this bluntness please the king?
Pupil.	Because he had reason to be sick of flattery.
Teacher.	Then was a bargain quickly struck between Lear and the pretended serving-man?
Pupil.	Yes, Sir, Lear took him into his service under the name of Caius, never suspecting him to be his once great favorite, the high and mighty Earl of Kent.
Teacher.	How did Caius, that very same day, find means to show his fidelity to his master?
Pupil.	It was in this way: -- Gonerill's steward behaved disrespectfully to Lear both in looks and in words; so Caius, without more ado, tripped him up and laid him in the kennel.
Teacher.	Had the steward been encouraged by his mistress to act thus?
Pupil.	No doubt he had.
Teacher.	Was Lear grateful to Caius for rendering him this service?
Pupil.	Oh! yes, Sir; he became more and more attached to him.
Teacher.	Was Caius now the only friend poor King Lear had?
Pupil.	No, he had another in the person of the fool or jester, who had formerly been attached to his court, and who clung to him after he had given away his crown.
Teacher.	Why used Lear to keep such a man about him?
Pupil.	It was the custom at that time for kings and great personages to keep a jester (or fool, as he was often called) to amuse them in the intervals of business.
Teacher.	Did this poor jester now only make it his business to keep up Lear's spirits by his witty sayings?
Pupil.	No, he sometimes jeered at him for his imprudence in uncrowning himself and giving all away to his daughters.
KING LEAR.(10.)
……………..at which time, as he rhymingly expressed it, these daughters
"For sudden joy did weep,
	And he for sorrow sung,
That such a king should play bo-peep,
	And go the fools among."
	And in such wild sayings and scraps of songs, of which he had plenty, this pleasant, honest fool poured out his heart even in the presence of Gonerill herself, in many a bitter taunt and jest which cut to the quick; such as comparing the king to the hedge-sparrow, who feeds the young of the cuckoo till they grow old enough, and then has its head bitten off for its pains; and saying that an ass may know when the cart draws the horse (meaning that Lear's daughters, that ought to go behind, now ranked before their father); and that Lear was no longer Lear, but the shadow of Lear; for which free speeches he was once or twice threatened to be whipped.
	The coolness and falling-off of respect which Lear had begun to perceive were not all which this foolish-fond father was to suffer from his unworthy daughter.  She now plainly told him that his staying in her palace was inconvenient so long as he insisted upon keeping up an establishment of a hundred knights; that this establishment was useless and expensive, and only served to fill her court with riot and feasting; and she prayed him that he would lessen their number, and keep none but old men about him, such as himself, and fitting his age.

Lesson 52.
CONVERSATION.
Pupil.	Sir, would you please tell us the meaning of the scrap of song quoted in the text?
Teacher.	It means that, when the old king became foolish and gave away his crown to his wicked daughters, the latter wept for joy, but the fool sang a song of sorrow. -- Did the fool sing thus only in Lear's presence?
Pupil.	No, he also did so when Gonerill was by, and his bitter taunt and jests cut her to the quick.
Teacher.	Tell me one of these taunts of his.
Pupil.	He said that Gonerill was like a young cuckoo, which bites off the head of the hedge-sparrow that has been feeding it.
Teacher.	By what comparison did he stigmatize the unnatural authority exercised by the daughter over her father?
Pupil.	By saying that it was as if the cart should draw the horse, instead of the horse the cart.
Teacher.	What sorrowful remark did he make about Lear himself?
Pupil.	That he was no longer Lear, but only the shadow of Lear.
Teacher.	Were coolness and disrespect the only ills which this fond father had to suffer from his unworthy daughter?
Pupil.	No, Sir.  She now plainly told him that his staying in her palace was inconvenient so long as he insisted upon keeping up an establishment of a hundred knights.
Teacher.	What arguments did she bring against the continuance of this retinue?
Pupil.	She said that it was useless and expensive, and only served to fill her court with riot and feasting.
Teacher.	What change did she request him to make?
Pupil.	She asked him to lessen the number of his attendants, and to keep none but old men about him.
KING LEAR.(11.)
	Lear at first could not believe his eyes or ears, nor that it was his daughter who spoke so unkindly.  He could not believe that she who had received a crown from him could seek to cut off his train, and grudge him the respect due to his old age.  But she persisting in her undutiful demand, the old man's rage was so excited that he called her a detested kite, and said that she spoke an untruth; and so indeed she did, for the hundred knights were all men of choice behavior and sobriety of manners, skilled in all particulars of duty, and not given to rioting and feasting, as she said.  And he bid his horses to be prepared, for he would go to his other daughter, Regan, he and his hundred knights; and he spoke of ingratitude, and said it was a marble-hearted devil, and showed more hideous in a child than the sea-monster.  And he cursed his eldest daughter Gonerill so as was terrible to hear; praying that she might never have a child, or, if she had, that it might live to return that scorn and contempt upon her which she had shown to him; that she might feel how sharper than a serpent's tooth it was to have a thankless child.  And Gonerill's husband, the Duke of Albany, beginning to excuse himself for any share which Lear might suppose he had in the unkindness, Lear would not hear him out, but in a rage ordered his horses to be saddled, and set out with his followers for the abode of Regan, his other daughter.

Lesson 53.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	Why couldn't Lear at first believe his eyes and ears?
Pupil.	Because it seemed too monstrous that she who had received a crown from him should seek to cut off his train, and grudge him the respect due to his old age.
Teacher.	What did he do when she persisted in her undutiful demand?
Pupil.	He grew terribly excited, and accused her of telling an untruth.
Teacher.	Was she telling an untruth, or were Lear's hundred knights really given to rioting and feasting, as she asserted them to be?
Pupil.	On the contrary, they were all well-behaved men, --quiet, sober, and faithful in the discharge of their duty.
Teacher.	What decision did Lear come to?
Pupil.	To have his horses saddled, that he and his hundred knights might go to his other daughter, Regan.
Teacher.	What did Lear say when the Duke of Albany began to make excuses?
Pupil.	He would not hear him out, but rode off in a rage.
Teacher.	What terrible curse did he pronounce on Gonerill?
Pupil.	He prayed that she might never have a child, or, if she had, that it might live to return that scorn and contempt upon her which she had shown to him; that she might feel how sharper than a serpent's tooth it was to have a thankless child.
Teacher.	What did Lear say about the wickedness of ingratitude?
Pupil.	He said it showed a stony heart, and was more hideous than a monsters which are fabled to inhabit the sea.
KING LEAR.(12.)
	And Lear thought to himself, how small the fault of Cordelier (if it was a fault) now appeared, in comparison with her sister's and he wept; and then was ashamed that such a creature as Gonerill should have so much power over his manhood as to make him weep.
	Regan and her husband were keeping their court in great pomp and state at their palace; and Lear dispatched his servant Caius with letters to his daughter, that she might be prepared for his reception, while he and his train followed after.  But it seems that Gonerill had been beforehand with him, sending letters also to Regan, accusing her father of waywardness and ill-humors, and advising her not to receive so great a train as he was bringing with him.  This messenger arrived at the same time with Caius, and Caius and he met; and who should it be but Caius' old enemy the steward, whom he had formerly tripped up by the heels for his saucy behavior to Lear!  Caius, not liking the fellow's look, and suspecting what he came for, began to revile him, and challenged him to fight, which the fellow refusing, Caius, in a fit of honest passion, beat him soundly, as such a mischief-maker and carrier of wicked messages deserved; which, coming to the ears of Regan and her husband, they ordered Caius to be put in the stocks, though he was a messenger from the king her father, and in that character demanded the highest respect; so that the first thing the king saw, when he entered the castle, was his faithful servant Caius sitting in that disgraceful situation.

Lesson 54.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What did Lear do when he thought of the greatness of Gonerill's fault in comparison with Cordelia's?
Pupil.	First of all he wept, and then he felt ashamed that the thought of so contemptible a creature as Gonerill should have power to make him weep.
Teacher.	What were Regan and her husband doing meantime?
Pupil.	They were keeping their court in great pomp and state at their palace.
Teacher.	What was Lear's object in dispatching Caius with letter s to Regan?
Pupil.	To prepare her for his reception.
Teacher.	How was this design thwarted?
Pupil.	By the wickedness of Gonerill, who was beforehand with her poor old father, also sending letters to Regan, accusing him of waywardness and ill-humor, and advising her sister not to receive so great a train as he was bringing with him.
Teacher.	Who did Gonerill's messenger turn out to be?
Pupil.	Caius's old enemy, the steward whom he had formerly tripped up by the heels for his saucy behavior to King Lear.
Teacher.	What did Caius do to this fellow, when he refused his challenge to fight?
Pupil.	He gave him a sound beating, such as a mischief-maker and carrier of wicked messages deserved.
Teacher.	Why had he challenged him to fight?
Pupil.	Because he did not like his looks, and suspected what his errand was.
Teacher.	How was Caius punished when this affray came to Regan's ears?
Pupil.	He was put in the stocks, so that the first thing the king saw, when he entered the castle, was his faithful servant Caius sitting in that disgraceful situation.
Teacher.	Was it not an extraordinary thing for Regan thus to treat a messenger from the king her father?
Pupil.	Yes indeed, Sir.  In that character he demand the highest respect, whatever fault he might or might not have committed.
KING LEAR.(13.)
	This was but a bad omen of the reception which he was to expect; but a worse followed, when, upon inquiry for his daughter and her husband, he was told they were weary with traveling all night, and could not see him; and when lastly, upon his insisting in a positive and angry manner to see them, they came to greet him, whom should he see in their company but the hated Gonerill, who had come to tell her own story, and set her sister against the king her father!
	This sight much moved the old man, and still more to see Regan take her by the hand; and he asked Gonerill if she was not ashamed to look upon his old white beard?  And Regan advised him to go home again with Gonerill and live with her peaceably, dismissing half of his attendants, and to ask her forgiveness; for he was old and wanted discretion, and must be ruled and led by persons that had more discretion than himself.  And Lear showed how preposterous that would sound, if he were to go down on his knees, and beg of his own daughter for food and raiment; and he argued against such an unnatural dependence, declaring his resolution never to return with her, but to stay where he was with Regan, he and his hundred knights; for he said that she had not forgot the half of the kingdom which he had endowed her with, and that her eyes were not fierce like Gonerill's, but mild and kind.

Lesson 55.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What sort of reception did King Lear meet with at the hands of his second daughter Regan?
Pupil.	A very bad one, Sir: -- first of all she ordered his messenger, Caius, to be put in the stocks, and then, when Lear himself inquired for her, he was told that she was tired after traveling all night, and could not see him.
Teacher.	What happened when he insisted upon seeing her?
Pupil.	She and her husband came out to greet him; but whom should he see in their company but the hated Gonerill!
Teacher.	What could she have come for?
Pupil.	To tell her own story, and set her sister against the king her father.
Teacher.	What did Lear ask Gonerill?
Pupil.	He asked her if she was not ashamed to meet him.
Teacher.	What advice did Regan then give him?
Pupil.	To dismiss his attendants, and to go home with Gonerill and ask her forgiveness; for that he was old and foolish, and must be ruled by persons with more discretion than himself.
Teacher.	How did the poor old king reply to this preposterous proposal?
Pupil.	He said he would never go down on his knees to his own daughter, to beg for food and raiment.  It would be unnatural, he said, to be thus dependent on his own child.
Teacher.	And what resolution did he declare?
Pupil.	That he would never return with Gonerill, but would stay where he was with Regan, -- he and his hundred knights.
Teacher.	How did he express his confidence in Regan's filial conduct towards him?
Pupil.	By saying that her eyes were mild and kind, and that he was sure she had not forgotten how he had endowed her with half of his kingdom.
KING LEAR.(14.)
	And he said that, rather than return to Gonerill with half his train cut off, he would go over to France, and beg a wretched pension of the king there, who had married his youngest daughter without a portion.
	But he was mistaken in expecting kinder treatment of Regan than he had experienced from her sister Gonerill.  As if willing to outdo her sister in unfilial behavior, she declared that she thought fifty knights too many to wait upon him; that five-and twenty were enough.  Then Lear, nigh heart-broken, turned to Gonerill, and said that he would go back with her, for her fifty doubled five-and twenty, and so her love was twice as much as Regan's.  But Gonerill excused herself, and said, "What need of so many as five-and-twenty? or even ten? or five?" when he might be waited upon by her servants, or her sister's servants?  So these two wicked daughters, as if they strove to exceed each other in cruelty to their old father who had been so good to them, by little and little would have abated him of all his train, all respect (little enough for him that once commanded a kingdom) which was left him to show that he had once been a king!  Not that a splendid train is essential to happiness; but from a king to a beggar is a hard change?from commanding millions to be without one attendant; and it was the ingratitude in his daughters' denying it, more than what he would suffer by the want of it, which pierced this poor king to the heart.

Lesson 56.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What did poor old King Lear say he would rather do than return to Gonerill with half his train cut off?
Pupil.	He said he would rather go over to France, and beg a pension of the king there, who had married Cordelia without a dowry.
Teacher.	Was Lear justified in expecting kinder treatment of Regan than he had experienced form his other daughter, Gonerill?
Pupil.	On the contrary, she seemed to wish to outdo her sister in unfilial behavior.
Teacher.	What was the first outward sign of this?
Pupil.	Her declaring that fifty knights were too many to wait on Lear, and that five-and-twenty were quite enough.
Teacher.	What did the poor broken-hearted old king do on hearing this?
Pupil.	He turned to Gonerill, saying that he would go back with her, for, as she was willing to let him keep a retinue of fifty knights, her love for him must be double that of Regan, who would not allow him more than five-and-twenty.
Teacher.	How did Gonerill disappoint his confidence?
Pupil.	By saying that, far from letting him keep his five-and-twenty knights, she considered that ten or even five would be ample.  Indeed why should he require any at all?  Why should he not be waited on by her own or her sister's servants?
Teacher.	What a wicked daughter!
Pupil.	Yes indeed, Sir; it seemed as if she and Regan were striving to exceed each other in cruelty to the old father who had been so good to them.
Teacher.	Do you think that Lear's train of fifty or a hundred knights was essential to his happiness?
Pupil.	No.  But still it must be a hard change to be left without a single attendant when one has commanded millions; and in Lear's case, what pierced him to the heart was his daughter's ingratitude.
KING LEAR.(15.)
	Insomuch that with this double ill-usage, and vexation for having so foolishly given away a kingdom, his wits began to be unsettled, and while he said he knew not what, he vowed revenge against those unnatural hags, and to make examples of them that should be a terror to the earth!
	While he was thus idly threatening what his weak arm could never execute, night came on, and a loud storm of thunder and lightning with rain; and his daughters still persisting in their resolution not to admit his followers, he called for his horses, and chose rather to encounter the utmost fury of the storm abroad, than stay under the same roof with these ungrateful daughters; and they, saying that the injuries which willful men procure to themselves are their just punishment, suffered him to go in that condition and shut their doors upon him.
	The wind were high, and the rain and storm increased, when the old man sallied forth to combat with the elements, less sharp than his daughters' unkindness.  For many miles about there was scarce a bush; and there upon a heath, exposed to the fury of the storm in the night, did King Lear wander out, and defy the winds to blow the earth into the sea, or swell the waves of the sea till they drowned the earth, that no token might remain of any such ungrateful animal as man.

Lesson 57.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What was it that began to unsettle the poor old king's wits?
Pupil.	His daughters' ill-usage, coupled with vexation at having so foolishly given away his kingdom.
Teacher.	Why was it useless of Lear to threaten to make examples of his daughters that should be a terror to the world?
Pupil.	Because his arm was too weak ever to execute the vengeance which he vowed.
Teacher.	What did he do, when his daughters persisted in their resolution not to admit his followers?
Pupil.	He called for his horses, and chose rather to encounter the fury of the storm out-of-doors, than remain under the same roof with his ungrateful children.
Teacher.	But surely they did not let him go out into the rain and the darkness?
Pupil.	They did, Sir.  They actually shut their doors upon their own father, and told him that his misfortunes were only the just punishment of his willfulness.
Teacher.	Was the storm a severe one?
Pupil.	It was.  The wind was high, and it was thundering and lightening.  Still even the fury of the elements seemed less dreadful to the uncrowned and half-crazy king than his daughters unkindness.
Teacher.	Where did he go?
Pupil.	Onto a desolate heath, where there was hardly a bush for miles about.
Teacher.	What did he do there?
Pupil.	He wandered about all night exposed to the fury of the storm.
Teacher.	What did he say to the winds in his madness?
Pupil.	He bid them blow the earth into the sea, or else swell the waves of the sea till they should drown the earth.
Teacher.	What was the cause of this crazy wish?
Pupil.	His wish that no token should remain of such an ungrateful creature as man.
Teacher.	Then had his daughters' ingratitude made him hate the whole human race?
Pupil.	Yes.  His daughters' ill-conduct had made him mad.
KING LEAR.(16.)
	The old king was now left with no other companion but the poor fool, who still abide with him, with his merry conceits striving to outjest misfortune, saying it was but a naughty night to swim in, and truly the king had better go in and ask his daughters' blessing;
"But he that has a little tiny wit,
	With heigh-ho, the wind and rain!
Must make content with his fortunes fit, 
	For the rain it raineth every day;"
and swearing it was a brave night to cool a lady's pride.
	Thus poorly accompanied, this once great monarch was found by his ever-faithful servant, the good Earl of Kent, now transformed to Caius, who ever followed close at his side, thought the king did not know him to be the earl; and he said, "Alas! sir, are you here?  Creatures that love night love not such nights as these.  This dreadful storm has driven the beasts to their hiding-places.  Man's nature cannot endure the affliction or the fear."  And Lear rebuked him, and said, these lesser evils were not felt where a greater malady was fixed.  When the mind is at ease, the body has leisure to delicate; but the tempest in his mind did take all feelings else from his sense, but of that which beat at his heart.
	And he spoke of filial ingratitude, and said it was all one as if the mouth should tear the hand for lifting food to it; for parents were hands and food and everything to children.

Lesson 58.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What did the poor jester, who was now left as the old king's sole companion, do to comfort him?
Pupil.	He strove to outjest misfortune with his merry conceits, saying, for instance, that this stormy night was not a pleasant one to swim in, nor a pleasant one for ladies to be out in.
Teacher.	What is the meaning of the verse which the jester sang?
Pupil.	I can't understand it at all, Sir.
Teacher.	In so far as it has any meaning, it means that the foolish and the unfortunate must endure their sufferings patiently. -- By whom was Lear found in this sorry plight?
Pupil.	By the good Earl of Kent, -- or Caius, as he was now called, --who always kept near his master's side.
Teacher.	What did he say to Lear?
Pupil.	He asked him how he came to be out on that desolate moor on such a night, -- a night when even such birds and beasts as usually prowl about in the darkness were forced to take refuge in their hiding-places.
Teacher.	And what was Lear's reply?
Pupil.	He rebuked Caius, saying that no such lesser physical ills were felt by those who, like himself, had greater mental trials.
Teacher.	When has the body leisure to feel such ills?
Pupil.	When the mind is at ease.
Teacher.	And when does it cease to feel them?
Pupil.	When the heart is sad.
Teacher.	What metaphor did Lear make use of in speaking of filial ingratitude?
Pupil.	He said it was as if the mouth should tear the hand for lifting food to it; for parents were hands and food and everything to their children.
KING LEAR.(17.)
	But the good Caius, still persisting in his entreaties that the king would not stay out in the open air, at last persuaded him to enter a little wretched hovel which stood upon the heath, where the fool, first entering, suddenly ran back terrified, saying that he had seen a spirit.  But upon examination, this spirit proved to be nothing more than a poor Bedlam-beggar, who had crept into this deserted hovel for shelter, and with his talk about devils frighted the fool -- one of those poor lunatics who are either mad, or feign to be so, the better to extort charity from the compassionate country-people; who go about the country calling themselves "poor Tom" and "poor Turlygood," saying, "Who gives anything to poor Tom?" sticking pins and nails and sprigs of rosemary into their arms to make them bleed; with such horrible actions, partly by prayers, and partly with lunatic curses, they move to terrify the ignorant country-folks into giving them alms.  This poor fellow was such a one; and the king seeing him in so wretched a plight, with nothing but a blanket about his loins to cover his nakedness, could not be persuaded but that the fellow was some father who had given all away to his daughters, and brought himself to that pass; for nothing, he thought, could bring a man to such wretchedness but the having unkind daughters.

Lesson 59.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What did Caius persist in doing?
Pupil.	He persisted in entreating the king not to stay out in the open air that stormy night.
Teacher.	Where then, did he persuade him to go?
Pupil.	Into a wretched little hovel, which stood upon the heath.  
Teacher.	Which of the party was the first to enter this hovel?
Pupil.	The jester, who no sooner put his foot inside it, than he ran back terrified, saying that he had seen a spirit.
Teacher.	What did this so-called spirit prove to be upon examination?
Pupil.	Nothing more than a poor naked beggar, -- one of those who are either mad, or feign to be so, the better to extort charity from the compassionate country-people.
Teacher.	What horrid things do these beggars sometimes do, in order to move or terrify the ignorant country-folks into giving them alms?
Pupil.	They mutter prayers and curses, and make their arms bleed by sticking pins and nails and sprigs of rosemary into them.
Teacher.	What name was formerly given in England to such wandering lunatics or impostors?
Pupil.	The country people used to call them "poor Tom" or "poor Turly-good."
Teacher.	Was this poor fellow such a one?
Pupil.	Yes, Sir.  He lived in this hovel, and had nothing to cover his nakedness but a blanket round his loins.
Teacher.	What idea did the crazy king take into his head, when he saw the beggar in such a wretched plight?
Pupil.	He could not be persuaded but that the fellow was some father who had brought himself to that pass by giving all away to his daughters.
Teacher.	What put that idea into his head?
Pupil.	His own misfortunes, doubtless.  He could not think of anything that could bring a man to such a pass, except having unkind daughters.
KING LEAR.(18.)
	And from this and many such wild speeches which he uttered, the good Caius plainly perceived that he was not in his perfect mind, but that his daughters' ill-usage had really made him go mad.  And now the loyalty of this worthy Earl of Kent showed itself in more essential services than he had hitherto found opportunity to perform.  For with the assistance of some of the king's attendants who remained loyal, he had the person of his royal master removed at daybreak to the castle of Dover, where his own friends and influence, as Earl of Kent, chiefly lay; and, himself embarking for France, hastened to the court of Cordelia, and did there in such moving terms represent the pitiful condition of her royal father, and set out in such lively colors the inhumanity of her sisters, that this good and loving child, with many tears, besought the king, her husband, that he would give her leave to embark for England with a sufficient power to subdue these cruel daughters and their husbands, and restore the old king, her father, to his throne; which being granted, she set forth, and with a royal army landed at Dover.
	Lear, having by some chance escaped from the guardians which the good Earl of Kent had put over him to take care of him in his lunacy, was found by some of Cordelia's train wandering about the fields near Dover in a pitiable condition, stark mad and singing aloud to himself, with a crown upon his head, which he had made of straw and nettles and other wild weeds that he had picked up in the corn-fields.

Lesson 60.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	From what indications did the Earl of Kent perceive that the old king was not in his right mind?
Pupil.	From the many wild speeches which he uttered.
Teacher.	And in what essential service did this good liege's loyalty now show itself?
Pupil.	First of all he had his royal master removed to the castle of Dover, in which part of the country his own influence, as Earl of Kent, chiefly lay.
Teacher.	And what next?
Pupil.	Next he embarked for France, where he hastened to the court of Cordelia, and represented to her the inhumanity of her sisters and her father's pitiful condition.
Teacher.	What did Cordelia do on the receipt of this sad news?
Pupil.	She besought her husband, the King of France, to give her leave to embark for England with a sufficient army to subdue her wicked sisters and restore her father to his throne.
Teacher.	Was this leave granted?
Pupil.	Oh! yes, Sir, and she set off at once, and soon landed with her troops at Dover.
Teacher.	How had poor old King Lear been faring meanwhile?
Pupil.	He had, by some chance, escaped from the guardians whom the good earl had left to take care of him in his lunacy.
Teacher.	Where, then, was he found by some of Cordelia's train?
Pupil.	He was found wandering about in the fields near Dover.
Teacher.	Was he mad still?
Pupil.	Yes, he was stark mad.
Teacher.	What was he doing when they found him?
Pupil.	He was singing aloud to himself, with a strange crown upon his head.
Teacher.	What was this crown made of?
Pupil.	Of straw and nettles and other weeds which he had picked up in the corn-fields.
KING LEAR.(19.)
	By the advice of the physicians, Cordelia, though earnestly desirous of seeing her father, was prevailed upon to put off the meeting till, by sleep and the operation of herbs which they gave him, he should be restored to greater composure.  By the aid of these skilful physicians, to whom Cordelia promised all her gold and jewels for the recovery of the old king, Lear was soon in a condition to see his daughter.
	A tender sight it was to see the meeting between this father and daughter; to see the struggles between the joy of this poor old king at beholding again his once darling child, and the shame at receiving such filial kindness from her whom he had cast off for so small a fault in his displeasure; both these passions struggling with the remains of his malady, which, in his half-crazed brain, sometimes made him that he scarce remembered where he was, or who it was that so kindly kissed him and spoke to him; and then he would beg the standers-by not to laugh at him if he were mistaken in thinking this lady to be his daughter Cordelia!  And then to see him fall on his knees to beg pardon of his child; and she, good lady, kneeling all the while to ask a blessing of him, and telling him that it did not become him to kneel, but it was her duty, for she was his child, his true and very child, Cordelia!

Lesson 61.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	By whom advice was Cordelia prevailed upon to put off the meeting with her father?
Pupil.	By that of the physicians, who thought it best for her to wait till he should be restored to greater composure by sleep and by the use of medicinal herbs.
Teacher.	What did Cordelia promise the physicians if they succeeded in curing her father?
Pupil.	She promised them all her gold and jewels.
Teacher.	And did they succeed?
Pupil.	Yes, Sir, they did to a certain extent.  They soon got the old king into a fit condition to see his daughter.
Teacher.	Why was the meeting a very touching sight?
Pupil.	On account of the mixture of joy and shame exhibited by the old king on beholding his darling child again.
Teacher.	What was it that made him ashamed?
Pupil.	The recollection of the way in which he had cast her off and disinherited her.
Teacher.	And what trace of craziness still showed itself in his conduct?
Pupil.	sometimes he hardly remembered where he was, or who it was that was kissing him and speaking to him; and then again he would beg the bystanders not to laugh at him if he were mistaken in thinking this lady to be his daughter Cordelia.
Teacher.	What did he fall on his knees to Cordelia for?
Pupil.	To beg her pardon for having been angry with her.
Teacher.	Did she allow him to kneel to her like that?
Pupil.	Oh! no, Sir.  She said it did not become him, as her father, to kneel to her, but that it was rather for her to kneel to him.
Teacher.	What did she ask him for when she knelt?
Pupil.	She asked him for his blessing.
Teacher.	And whom did she declare herself to be?
Pupil.	His true and very child, Cordelia.
Teacher.	What do you think of this whole scene?
Pupil.	I think it must have been very touching to see the struggle between joy and shame and craziness in the poor old king.
KING LEAR.(20.)
	And she kissed him (as she said) to kiss away all her sisters' unkindness, and said that they might be ashamed of themselves to turn their old kind father with his white beard out into the cold air, when her enemy's dog, though it had bit her (as she prettily expressed it), should have staid by her fire such a night as that, and warmed himself.  And she told her father how she had come from France with purpose to bring him assistance; and he said that she must forget and forgive, for he was old and foolish, and did not know what he did; but that, to be sure, she had great cause not to love him, but her sisters had none.  And Cordelia said that she had no cause, no more than they had.
	So we will leave this old king in the protection of this dutiful and loving child, where, by the help of sleep and medicine, she and her physicians at length succeeded in winding up the unturned and jarring senses which the cruelty of his other daughters had so violently shaken.  Let us return to say a word or two about those cruel daughters.
	These monsters of ingratitude, who had been so false to their old father, could not be expected to prove more faithful to their own husbands.  They soon grew tired of paying even the appearance of duty and affection, and in an open way showed they had fixed their loves upon another.  It happened that the object of their guilty loves was the same.

Lesson 62.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What pretty joke did Cordelia make about kissing her old father?
Pupil.	She said she did so to kiss away all her sisters' unkindness.
Teacher.	What unkindness?
Pupil.	Their unkindness in turning their kind old father out-of-doors.
Teacher.	Would Cordelia have treated any one in that cruel way?
Pupil.	No, Sir.  She said that even a dog, -- even her enemy's dog who had bitten her, -- should have staid by her fireside on such a night, rather than be turned out into the wind and rain.
Teacher.	What did her father say when she told him that she had come with troops to assist him?
Pupil.	He said he hoped she would forget and forgive his former injustice to her, for that he was old and foolish and did not know what he did.
Teacher.	Why did King Lear say that Cordelia had cause not to love him?
Pupil.	Because of his having disinherited her.
Teacher.	And why did he say that her sisters had no such cause?
Pupil.	Because of the handsome way in which he had treated them.
Teacher.	Did Lear get on well under the protection of the dutiful and loving Cordelia?
Pupil.	Yes; she and her physicians succeeded at length in restoring to its proper balance the mind which had been so violently shaken by the cruelty of Gonerill and Regan.
Teacher.	What had these monsters of ingratitude been doing meanwhile?
Pupil.	After proving false to their old father, they had now grown tired of being faithful and affectionate to their husbands, -- as was, indeed, only to be expected of such wicked women.
Teacher.	Yes, and not only so, but the object of their guilty loves was the same man.
KING LEAR.(21.)
	It was Edmund, a natural son of the late Earl of Gloucester, who, by his treacheries, had succeeded in disinheriting his brother Edgar, the lawful heir, from his earldom, and by his wicked practices was now earl himself, -- a wicked man, and a fit object for the love of such wicked creatures as Gonerill and Regan.  It falling out about this time that the Duke of Cornwall, Regan's husband, died, Regan immediately declared her intention of wedding this Earl of Gloucester, which rousing the jealousy of her sister, to whom as well as to Regan this wicked earl had at sundry times professed love, Gonerill found means to make away with her sister by poison; but being detected in her practices, and imprisoned by her husband, the Duke of Albany, for this deed and for her guilty passion for the earl, which had come to his ears, she, in a fit of disappointed love and rage, shortly put an end to her own life.  Thus the justice of Heaven at last overtook these wicked daughters.
	While the eyes of all men were upon this event, admiring the justice displayed in their deserved deaths, the same eyes were suddenly taken off from this sight to admire at the mysterious ways of the same power in the melancholy fate of the young and virtuous daughter, the lady Cordelia, whose good deeds did seem to deserve a more fortunate conclusion; but it is an awful truth that innocence and piety are not always successful in this world.  The forces which Gonerill and Regan had sent out under the command of the bad Earl of Gloucester were victorious, and Cordelia, by the practices of this wicked earl, who did not like that any should stand between him and the throne, ended her life in prison.

Lesson 63.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	Who was Edmund?
Pupil.	He was a natural son of the late Earl of Gloucester, who, by his treacheries, had succeeded in disinheriting his brother Edgar, the lawful heir, and was now earl himself.
Teacher.	Then he was a wicked man, I suppose.
Pupil.	Yes, Sir, a fit match for such creatures as Lear's ungrateful daughters.
Teacher.	What was it that roused Gonerill's jealousy against her sister?
Pupil.	Regan's intention of marring Edmund.
Teacher.	And what wicked act did she next commit?
Pupil.	She made away with Regan by means of poison.
Teacher.	What did she do when her husband detected her in these practices, and imprisoned her for them?
Pupil.	She put an end to her own life in a fit of disappointed love and rage.
Teacher.	On what were the eyes of all men fixed?
Pupil.	On the justice of Heaven in punishing these two wicked daughters.
Teacher.	Does Heaven always punish wickedness in this world, and reward innocence and piety?
Pupil.	No; it is an awful truth that such is not always the case.  The ways of Heaven are mysterious.
Teacher.	How was this displayed in the present case?
Pupil.	By the melancholy fate of Cordelia, whose good deeds seemed to deserve a happier conclusion.
Teacher.	Why! what happened to her?
Pupil.	She ended her life in prison, owing to the intrigues of the wicked Earl of Gloucester.
Teacher.	How did he get her into his power?
Pupil.	By the victory of his troops over those brought from France by Cordelia.
Teacher.	What were the forces which he commanded?
Pupil.	They were those sent by Gonerill and Regan.
Teacher.	How had Gonerill's wicked deeds got to her husband's ears?
Pupil.	I don't know, Sir.  The story doesn't say.
KING LEAR.(22.)
	Thus Heaven took this innocent lady to itself in her young years, after showing her to the world an illustrious example of filial duty.  Lear did not long survive this kind child.
	Before he died, the good Earl of Kent, who had still attended his old master's steps from the first of his daughters' ill-usage to this sad period of his decay, tried to make him understand that it was he who had followed him under the name of Caius; but Lear's care-crazed brain at that time could not comprehend how that could be, or how Kent and Caius could be the same person; so Kent thought it needless to trouble him with explanations at such a time; and Lear soon after expiring, this faithful servant to the king, between age and grief for his old master's vexations, soon followed him to the grave.
	How the judgment of Heaven overtook the bad Earl of Gloucester, whose treasons were discovered, and himself slain in single combat with his brother, the lawful earl; and how Gonerill's husband, the Duke of Albany, who was innocent of the death of Cordelia, and had never encouraged his lady in her wicked proceedings against her father, ascended the throne of Britain after the death of Lear, is needless here to narrate, Lear and his Three Daughters being dead, whose adventures alone concern our story.

Lesson 64.
CONVERSATION.
Teacher.	What did Heaven show Cordelia to the world as?
Pupil.	As an illustrious example of filial piety.
Teacher.	What deaths took place next to hers?
Pupil.	That of Lear, who did not long survive his darling daughter, and that of the good Earl of Kent, who soon followed his poor old master to the grave.
Teacher.	Had the Earl of Kent always been faithful to Lear?
Pupil.	Yes, Sir.  In former days he had been his most valued counselor, and he had continued to attend him during his wanderings under the name of Caius.
Teacher.	Did Kent tell his master that he and Caius were in reality the same person?
Pupil.	Yes; but Lear's crazy brain could not comprehend how that could be.
Teacher.	Did Kent persist in trying to make the old king understand?
Pupil.	No, he thought it needless to trouble him with explanations; and so Lear died without fully realizing how faithfully Kent had followed him during all his misfortunes.
Teacher.	What did Kent die of?
Pupil.	Partly of old age, and partly of grief for his master's vexations.
Teacher.	How does the story end?
Pupil.	By the death of the bad Earl of Gloucester, and the accession of the Duke of Albany to the throne of Britain.
Teacher.	How did the Earl of Gloucester die?
Pupil.	He was slain in single combat with his brother, the lawful earl.
Teacher.	Then his treasons had been discovered, -- had they?
Pupil.	Apparently so.
Teacher.	Was the Duke of Albany a wicked man?
Pupil.	No.  He had never encouraged his wife Gonerill in her unnatural proceedings against her father, and he was innocent of the death of Cordelia.
Teacher.	Does the author give all the details of the Duke of Albany's subsequent career?
Pupil.	No.  You see, Sir, it doesn't concern the story.
Teacher.	Why not?
Pupil.	Because the principal characters in the story are Lear and his three daughters, and when once they are dead, there is nothing important left to tell.
Teacher.	What do you think of this story?
Pupil.	I think it is a very touching one.  Only I wish it were not so sad.
Teacher.	If it were not so sad, it would perhaps not be so touching.
Pupil.	Is "King Lear" still acted on the English stage?
Teacher.	Yes, sometimes.
Pupil.	Is there any special name for plays with sad plots?
Teacher.	Yes, they are called tragedies.  Plays with funny plots are called comedies.