Deputationsfromthefellahsandpeasantscomeperpetuallybeforetheaugustpresence，tocomplainofthecrueltyandexactionsofthechiefssetoverthem：but，asitisknownthattheArabneverwillpaywithoutthebastinado，theircomplaints，forthemostpart，meetwithbutlittleattention。HisHighness’streasurymustbefilled，andhisofficerssupportedintheirauthority。
However，therewasonevillage，ofwhichthecomplaintsweresopathetic，andtheinhabitantssosupremelywretched，thattheRoyalindignationwasmovedattheirstory，andthechiefofthevillage，SkinflintBeg，wascalledtogiveanaccountofhimselfatCairo。
Whenhecamebeforethepresence，MehemetAlireproachedhimwithhishorriblecrueltyandexactions；askedhimhowhedaredtotreathisfaithfulandbelovedsubjectsinthisway，andthreatenedhimwithdisgrace，andtheutterconfiscationofhisproperty，forthushavingreducedadistricttoruin。
\"YourHighnesssaysIhavereducedthesefellahstoruin，\"saidSkinflintBeg：\"whatisthebestwaytoconfoundmyenemies，andtoshowyouthefalsehoodoftheiraccusationsthatIhaveruinedthem？——Tobringmoremoneyfromthem。IfIbringyoufivehundredpursesfrommyvillage，willyouacknowledgethatmypeoplearenotruinedyet？\"
TheheartofthePashawastouched：\"Iwillhavenomorebastinadoing，OSkinflintBeg；youhavetorturedthesepoorpeoplesomuch，andhavegotsolittlefromthem，thatmyRoyalheartrelentsforthepresent，andIwillhavethemsuffernofarther。\"