lso
covered with Persian carpets of great thickness.

"Ah, Kalulu, my house is not so grand as Selim's; but it is better than
most Arab houses," said Abdullah. "Stay here a moment until I go to
prepare my mother."

Abdullah was not gone long before he returned with his mother, whose
face was veiled by a thin muslin gauze, but who, on seeing that the
stranger was but a boy, threw off the veil and advanced towards him, and
began to thank him in the sweetest tones he ever heard. She also told
him to make the house his home whenever he liked, or whenever Selim
could spare him, and after saying all that was required of her to say by
her son, she vanished into her own room.

After his mother had gone, Abdullah said: "Thou seest, Kalulu, that our
women have customs different from thine. Wert thou a man, thou shouldst
never have seen her face? Yet thou art such a big boy now, my mother is
even afraid of thee. However, whatever my mother failed to tell thee,
her son says. Thou art welcome: come early or late, thou must consider
all my mother or I have at thy service. These are the words of my
mother and of myself."

"Thou hast done with Kalulu for the present, Abdullah. Come thou with
us to my mother," said Selim.

"Nay, Selim; my brother Kalulu must eat in my house, and then we shall
go together with thee."

"Our noon-meal is ready. Come thou and eat with us. I want Kalulu to
see my mother. Come, Abdullah, we can return and take the evening meal
with thee."

Seeing Selim was urgent, and really anxious, Abdullah, being but a boy,
consented, though it was against Arab custom; but he was consoled by the
reflection that the principal meal was to be eaten with him; and bidding
Selim stay a moment, he went back to his mother, and informed her that
they should have guests for the evening meal; then returning, he sallied
out with Selim and Kalulu. Simba, Moto, and Niani were at the door
waiting for them, and together they proceeded to Selim's house.

If Kalulu was impressed with the grandeur of Abdullah's house, he was
much more so with the splendid appearance of Selim's. The shining white
marble of the courtyard, the spaciousness, cleanliness, and order that
prevailed; the well-dressed slaves, that came forward assiduous to
please; the broad stairs, the carved portals, and the roomy
entrance-hall, took away the young chief's breath almost with surprise.
He was speechless with astonishment, and he mentally compar