Page:Domestic Life in Palestine.pdf/233

226 After we had eaten, a number of the villagers came to see us. They all smoked their pipes, and drank their coffee, almost in silence, with the exception of the old blind man, who asked many questions. He, as if privileged by his blindness, begged me to put my hand in his, and then told me to tell him what I was like, that he might see me in his thoughts. He said, "Are you young, or are you old? Your voice is soft, like the voice of a little child; but your words are wise."

By degrees our silent guests left us. Last of all, the gentle old blind man, led by the sheikh, went away, wishing us rest and peace. The latter promised that he would send us some pillows and mattresses to sleep on. No women had visited us.

Just as we were wondering what sort of bedding we should have that night, to my great surprise and delight, the Arab-Jewish upholsterer, who had worked for me at Hâifa, made his appearance, carrying a nice new mattress, quilt, and red-silk pillow. He was a peddler upholsterer, but his head-quarters were at Hâifa. He had been engaged at Kefr Kâra making a stock of lehaffs and mattresses for an approaching wedding. As soon as he heard of my arrival, he insisted on bringing one of the new mattresses for me. He spread it in a corner of the dais. Then he brought another for my brother, and a third for the French Consul's secretary, and did all that he could to make us comfortable.

I was so tired, that I was glad to lie down directly, on the sheetless mattress, resting my head on the red-silk pillow. I covered my face with a handkerchief, and tried to forget where I was; remaining resolutely still, notwithstanding the attacks of a multitude of fleas. I had often encountered large assemblies of these lively little tormentors, but their numbers were as nothing in comparison with the fleas of Kefr Kâra.

A large cat, walking gently and cautiously over my head, startled me out of a dreamy and restless sleep. I roused