"Go at once and bring Siveree, a woman belonging to the household of
the Lady Zobeideh, and her son, who is called Hunoman, and who is at
present staying with her."
The officer saluted and went out, saying to himself as he went, "The
Lady Zobeideh he terms her. Her affairs go well. She is a clever
woman and knows how to humour the Caliph. Soon she will be again the
prime favourite, and more powerful than ever."
When the officer returned with Hunoman and his mother, the latter was
conducted to an apartment in that part of the palace which was set
apart for the women, while Hunoman himself was at once brought into the
presence of the Caliph.
Haroun, looking sternly at Hunoman, who was a stout man of middle
height, and not unprepossessing appearance, said--
"I have been informed of your temerity in entering a certain garden,
into which you must have known very well that it was fatal to you to
enter. But, before passing such a sentence upon you as you must feel
that you deserve, I desire to hear the particulars of your career, and
what you may have to urge in your defence."
Hunoman prostrated himself before the Commander of the Faithful and
replied as follows: