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‘HAS the second trumpet sounded?’ |
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‘To be sure: run, run for a good place. Where is Abdallah?’ |
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‘Selling sherbet in the square. We shall find him. Has Alroy come forth?’ |
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‘Yes! he goes the other way. We shall be too late. Only think of Abdallah selling sherbet!’ |
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‘Father, let me go?’ |
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‘You will be in the way; you are too young: you will see nothing. Little boys should stay at home.’ |
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‘No, they should not. I will go. You can put me on your shoulders.’ |
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‘Where is Ibrahim!* Where is Ali?* We must all keep together. We shall have to fight for it. I wish Abdallah were here. Only think of his selling sherbet!’ |
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‘Keep straight forward. That is right. It is no use going that way. The Bazaar is shut. There is Fakreddin,* there is Osman Effendi.* He has got a new page.’ |
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‘So he has, I declare; and a very pretty boy too.’ |
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‘Father, will they impale Alroy alive?’ |
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‘I am sure I do not know. Never ask questions, my dear. Little boys never should.’ |
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‘Yes, they should. I hope they will impale him alive. I shall be so disappointed if they do not.’ |
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‘Keep to the left. Dash through the Butchers’ Bazaar: that is open. All right, all right. Did you push me, sir?’ |
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‘Suppose I did push you, sir, what then, sir?’ |
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‘Come along, don’t quarrel. That is a Karasmian. They think they
are to do what they like. We are five to one to be sure, but still
there is nothing like peace and quiet. I wish Abdallah were here
with his stout shoulders. Only think of his selling sherbet!’ |
