Abbas couldn't help but feel grateful that Ruwa and Cassim were finally getting married. And we can get all these problems off our shoulders, he thought. Nura held onto her handkerchief, and nervously kept wringing it.

"How nice!"she exclaimed, timidly. "Your dreams have finally come true."she said.

"Yes."said Ruwa. "And it's all thanks to you, Nura. How will I ever repay you?"

"Oh, I guess just by…being happy. That way, nothing will have been in vain, will it?"

Abbas cleared his throat.

"Lady, it is getting late. Your husband must be worried that you left the house after such a state of illness you have recovered from, if he finds out."he said.

"Oh, yes. Well, I can't stay, as you heard. I have to go."

And she climbed into the carriage with Abbas.

"My lady has such a big heart. One of Allah's most generous and charitable creatures."said Abbas.

"Don't be silly."said Ruwa. "I was only helping a friend. I do hope she will be very happy."

"I hope so, too, lady."replied Abbas.

"He's such a nice boy."said Nura, holding Ruwa's new baby, whom she and Cassim had named Aladdin. "I suppose you must be very proud of him. I would be."

Ruwa smiled.

"Oh, yes. He's my little angel."

"An angel, ha! I bet he doesn't let you sleep nights!"

"Oh, he's very quiet. So long as he's not too far away from me."

"Only a few weeks old, and he's already growing attached to you, Ruwa. That's not so good. He'll be sticking to you for the rest of his life!"

"There's nothing I'd like better."

"That's what you say now, but trust me."Nura smiled. "And what would you like for you and your boy?"she asked. "I'm just dreadful at giving gifts. I can never choose the right things! I never know what to give."

"Oh, you don't have to bother yourself, Nura."

"No, no, I must! I wouldn't feel right if I didn't. Let me see…clothes? Money? Jewelry? Umm, I don't know what a newborn baby would like. What would you suggest, Abbas?"

Abbas simply stated that he didn't know.

"Now that means I'll have to find another eunuch. Aren't you supposed to help me in times like these? Allah forbid I did something wrong, just because my eunuch didn't know what to do!"

"I can find out, my lady."

"Yes, you had better do that!"

"I do know that it is not healthy, or advisable, to keep such a small child in such an environment, or for it to be raised in it."said Abbas.

"He's right, Nura."said Ruwa.

"Oh, don't listen to him. I shall have you whipped for that, Abbas!"

"No, don't. He was only stating the truth!"

"Don't listen to him."

"But he's right!"

"Well, you'll find a solution, I'm sure. I mean the problem isn't insoluble, is it?"

Ruwa sighed.

"It seems that it is, but…we'll find a way out."she added, cheerfully.

"Here,"said Nura. "Take my shawl. It should help to keep him warm during the night. If I, who sleep indoors, with a fire lit sometimes freeze, just imagine a baby."

She took off her heavy, wool shawl, and handed it to Ruwa.

"Oh, Nura! If it wasn't for the fact that he does get cold, I wouldn't accept it."

"Nonsense! I have more shawls. Besides, he needs it more than I do."

"Lady! That shawl was given to you by the master! It was embroidered with your own name!"

"It won't be missed. And it is not your place to speak unless spoken to."she added sharply.

Abbas shook his head. These simple…they were simply feeding off his lady's good heart and generosity.

"Anyway,"Nura began again. "Like I said, I am sure you will find a solution. I mean, it's not like you've ever been one to just give up."

"No. Cassim wants to go in search of some treasure."she said.

"A treasure? Well, that could help. Where is it?"

"He doesn't believe it is only a myth. The Hand of Midas."

"That is a myth. I mean, someone would have found it, if it wasn't, would they?"

"He is convinced that it exists."

"And you're to go with him?"

"He will not allow it."

"Why not? My mother always said it is a wife's duty to go where her husband goes."

"He says he will be back in only a couple of months at the most. He seems absolutely confident that he will be able to find it."

Nura shook her head.

"That is simply unheard of! Not only going after a treasure, but leaving…no, no, I find it incomprehensible."she said.

"It's not my place to question him."said Ruwa.