the psychologist with his reflex-action theory does
not solve the whole problem. But Khalid would like to know--and
perhaps not so innocently does he dwell upon this subject as upon
others--he would like to know the significance of Najib's pointed
finger and smile. It may be only an accident, Khalid. "But an
accident," says he, "occurring again and again in the same manner
under stated conditions ceases to be such." And might not the child,
who is such an early and keen observer, have previously seen his
mother in native buff, and was surprised to see that appendage in you,
Khalid?

Even at Al-Hayat Najib is become popular. Khalid often comes here
carrying him on his back. And how ready is the child to salaam
everybody, and with both hands, as he stands on the veranda steps.
"Surely," says Khalid, "there is a deeper understanding between man
and child than between man and man. For who but a child dare act so
freely among these polyglots of ceremony in this little world of
frills and frocks and feathers? Who but a child dare approach without
an introduction any one of these solemn-looking tourists? Here then is
the divine source of the sweetest and purest joy. Here is that one
touch of Nature which makes the whole world kin. For the child, and
though he be of the lowest desert tribe, standing on the veranda of a
fashionable Hotel, can warm and sweeten with the divine flame that is
in him, the hearts of these sour-seeming, stiff-looking tourists who
are from all corners of the earth. Is not this a miracle? My professor
of psychology will say, 'Nay.' But what makes the heart leap in that
grave and portly gentleman, who might be from Finland or Iceland, for
all I know, when Najib's hand is raised to him in salutation? What
makes that stately and sombre-looking dame open her arms, when Najib
plucks a flower and, after smelling it, presents it to her? What makes
that reticent, meditative, hard-favoured ancient, who is I believe a
psychologist, what makes him so interested in observing Najib when he
stands near the piano pointing anxiously to the keyboard? For the
child enjoys not every kind of music: play a march or a melody and he
will keep time, listing joyously from side to side and waving his hand
in an arch like a maestro; play something insipid or chaotic and he
will stand there impassive as a statue."

And "the reticent hard-favoured ancient," who turns out to be an
American professor of some ology, explains to Khali