in, until even my mother was touched by the pomp with which we were received; and the words full of exotic charm and courtesy did much to assuage her bitterness.
I could see that she was even beginning to take an interest in this life so entirely new to her. When the Turkish lady went on to say that she was a stranger in this land; that she had come from far-away Anatolia because her Lord-Master and Giver of Life was now near the Shadow of Allah on Earth, and that she wished guidance, my mother relented considerably. She had expected to be treated de haut en bas: instead she was received not only as an equal, but as one possessing superior knowledge.
With the same pomp and ceremony we were escorted upstairs, where we were served with sweetmeats and coffee; and again sweetmeats and sorbets. Then water was poured from brass pitchers into brass bowls; we rinsed our hands and wiped them on embroidered napkins.
The sweet-faced lady spoke again, and I translated.
She wished to know whether her little Nashan was dressed like a great lady, or like—whatever the word was.
"My mother has never seen Nashan," I volunteered.
Thereupon Nashan was brought in, clad in a pale green satin gown, low-necked and short-
