the boy is
moral as well as physical. Circuses are dens of immorality. Of course
the Syrians are merchants, and we might get him work in a store. But
then again--what chance has he of rising? Once a clerk, always a clerk."
She looked round at the chairs and tables, littered with the contents of
Tufik's pasteboard suitcase, which lay empty at her feet. "And there is
nothing to canvassing from door to door. Look at these exquisite
things!--and he cannot sell them. Nobody buys. He says he never gets
inside a house door. If you had seen his face when I bought a kimono
from him!"

At eleven o'clock, having found nothing in the "Help Wanted" column to
fit Tufik's case, Tish called up Charlie Sands and offered Tufik as a
reporter, provided he was given no nightwork. But Charlie Sands said it
was impossible--that the editors and owners of the paper were always
putting on their sons and relatives, and that when there was a vacancy
the big advertisers got it. Tish insisted--she suggested that Tufik
could run an Arabian column, like the German one, and bring in a lot of
new subscribers. But Charlie Sands stood firm.

At noon Tufik came. We heard a skirmish at the door and Hannah talking
between her teeth.

"She's out," she said.

"Well, I think she is not out," in Tufik's soft tones.

"You'll not get in."

"Ah, but my toes are in. See, my foot wishes to enter!" Then something
soft, coaxing, infinitely wistful, in Arabian followed by a slap. The
next moment Hannah, in tears, rushed back to the kitchen. There was no
sound from the hallway. No smiling Tufik presented himself in the
doorway.

Tish rose in the majesty of wrath. "I could strangle that woman!" she
said, and we followed her into the hall.

Tufik was standing inside the door with his arms folded, staring ahead.
He took no notice of us.

"Tufik!" Aggie cried, running to him. "Did she--did she dare--Tish, look
at his cheek!"

"She is a bad woman!" Tufik said somberly. "I make my little prayer to
see Miss Tish, my mother, and she--I kill her!"

We had a hard time apologizing to him for Hanna. Tish got a basin of
cold water so he might bathe his face; and Aggie brought a tablespoonful
of blackberry cordial, which is soothing. When the poor boy was calmer
we met in Tish's bedroom and Tish was quite firm on one point--Hannah
must leave!

Now, this I must say in my own defense--I was sorry for Tufik; and it is
quite true I bought him a suit and winter flannels an