Chapter FourIbrahim was well respected by those who knew him. He was renowned for his diligence, and the good influence he exerted had endeared him to Sayyid Mahmoud and his sons and nephews so that they preferred him above the rest. Trusted by the proprietor, he was always placed in charge of work in the fields while at the same time left free to carry out the duties assigned to him and this trust made him all the more conscientious in his work. In spite of the pleasant manner in which he treated the boys and girls who worked under him, and the times he spent laughing and joking with them, he did not like to see time being wasted. He would urge them on, lending a hand if the situation required it and sharing in the work with them as an equal. Only when necessity demanded would he discipli
