he said after a long time the iraqi encountered a need in that area. what made the hardship of the journey and the loneliness of alienation easier for him was the place of almarwazi there. so when he arrived he went towards him in his travel clothes in his turban cap and cloak to dismount near him as a man does with his trust and a place of comfort. when he found him sitting among his companions he leaned over and embraced him. he had never seen him as he had nor asked about him as one who had never seen him. the iraqi said to himself perhaps his denial of me is because of the place of the mask. so he threw away his mask and began to question him but he denied it.
قال فعرضت لذلك العراقي، بعد دهر طويل، حاجة في تلك الناحية؛ فكان مما هون عليه مكابدة السفر، ووحشة الاغتراب، مكان المروزي هناك. فلما قدم مضى نحوه في ثياب سفره، وفي عمامته وقلنسوته ١ وكسائه، ليحط رحله عنده، كما يصنع الرجل بثقته، وموضع أنسه. فلما وجده قاعدا في أصحابه، أكب عليه وعانقه، فلم يره أثبته، ولا سأل عنه سؤال من رآه قط. قال العراقي في نفسه لعل إنكاره إياي لمكان القناع ؛ فرمى بقناعه، وابتدأ مساءلته، فكان له أنكر.