A negro will appear in answer , and you must tell him to open the trunk , and to give you the red purse which he will find there . ' The old woman did not need twice telling , but set off at once for the bridge . ` Mahomet ! Mahomet ! Mahomet ! ' cried she , with all her might ; and in an instant a negro , still larger than the last , stood before her . ` What do you want ? ' asked he . ` The head , your master , bids you open the trunk , and to give me the red purse which you will find in it . ' ` Very well , good mother , I will do so , ' answered the negro , and , the moment after he had vanished , he reappeared with the purse in his hand . This time the money seemed so endless that the old woman built herself a new house , and filled it with the most beautiful things that were to be found in the shops . Her daughters were always wrapped in veils that looked as if they were woven out of sunbeams , and their dresses shone with precious stones . The neighbours wondered where all this sudden wealth had sprung from , but nobody knew about the head . ` Good mother , ' said the head , one day , ` this morning you are to go to the city and ask the sultan to give me his daughter for my bride . ' ` Do what ? ' asked the old woman in amazement . ` How can I tell the sultan that a head without a body wishes to become his son-in-law ? They will think that I am mad , and I shall be hooted from the palace and stoned by the children . ' ` Do as I bid you , ' replied the head ; ` it is my will . ' The old woman was afraid to say anything more , and , putting on her richest clothes , started for the palace .
The sultan granted her an audience at once , and , XXXXX a trembling voice , she made her request .
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