th of the floor
having been swept into the four corners, where it lay in heaps. The
ceiling and the white-washed walls were grimy, and dust made a bloom on
the ragged curtains of the window, looped pretentiously; a three-legged
table all but filled the room, leaving just room for one to pass around
it. His lord was ushered to the seat of honour, a sofa covered with a
fabric which had once been plush, but now resembled draggled sealskin;
while Iskender went quite unnoticed till the wife of Karlsberger--a
bulky slattern, who kept shuffling in and out with plates and
glasses--perceived his need, and placed a stool for him. Through
confusion and annoyance he caught nothing of the conversation till
Elias, in a mincing voice, announced:

"The grub quite ready."

The Englishman laughed at that; upon which Elias, dancing up to him,
exclaimed:

"You are a good fellow; I see that. I like you, and so blease to see
you here."

All then drew close to the table, on which were set forth many tempting
viands, including mottled discs of German sausage, anchovies, pickled
gherkins, and huge chunks of Frankish bread. A bottle of rum and a
bottle of gin stood one at each end of the board, attended by glasses
of all shapes and sizes.

"Allow me to helb you, sir--a bit of sausage?" cried Elias, seizing a
knife and presenting it at the dish in question. The Emir laughed
again, which was the signal for an obsequious roar. He said he would
prefer some bread and anchovy, and could help himself. He accepted a
little of the rum for politeness' sake, and then professed himself
satisfied. After some outcry on his lack of appetite the rest of the
party fell to with avidity. The presence of his uncle, which he now
realised for the first time, relieved Iskender from the fear of
personal indignity. He, too, attacked the victuals with good appetite,
but refused the spirits, strong in the example of Abdullah's
abstinence. The work of eating was soon done, and every one sat back
for conversation. There was much ostentatious picking of teeth, and
noises of repletion came from all sides. Tongues were loosed, and vied
one with another to display deep knowledge of the English speech and
manners. The company abounded in expressions such as "old chap,"
"never say die," and "right you are!" which Iskender, from his
education, knew to be inappropriate. Every one too, except Abdullah,
made believe to revel in the gin and rum, out of complimen