carved red cradle, ornamental corner cupboards, and painted wooden shelves, with rows of green drinking-glasses ranged upon them, relieved the whitewashed walls.
Habîb, to whom I had been previously introduced, welcomed me with courteous gravity. His pretty little motherless daughter, Anithe, came forward promptly to greet me; but Zora, the young wife, seemed unwilling to appear. Priest Amran told me that she was purposely hiding. Habîb went out into the court of the house, and when he reëntered his wife followed him with seeming reluctance; she looked embarrassed and sad, and returned my salutations sullenly.
She was rather handsome, and was decked as a bride; she wore full trowsers and a tight jacket. Her chest was very much exposed, and painted or tattooed bright-blue; her gold necklace or collar was large and massive, and several coins were attached to it; her head-dress was adorned with red and yellow everlasting flowers, and folds of blue crape; her hands and feet, which were naked, were so delicately and artistically stained with henna, that she looked as if she had fine lace mittens and sandals on. She made me some lemonade, while Anithe brought me a narghilé.
Many women came in; among them was Yakûb esh Shellabi's mother. She said impetuously, "How long shall I wait for my son Yakûb and not see him ? Why does he stay so long away from his country and his people? Why did you leave him in England, O lady? I shall die and never see him again." I answered, "Be comforted; your son will return to you and give you joy." Zora seemed troubled at the mention of his name, and left the room; but Habîb smiled a smile of self-congratulation, and asked if I thought that Yakûb would return in time to claim his little daughter. The child evidently quite understood how affairs had been arranged, but did not display the slightest interest or emotion. While the other girls and women who were present asked with curiosity and volubility all sorts of questions about Yakûb, and
