Page:Domestic Life in Palestine.pdf/260

Rh all, seem to me only to express politeness, respect, kindness, good-will, or affection, as the case may be. Even as the old English "God be with you!" has lost its full significance—and more, it has even lost its sound, clipped as it is into a commonplace "good-by." The Moslem ejaculations before and after eating, and during the performance of ablutions, though beautiful and appropriate, are now merely like exclamations of self-congratulation, without reference to any superior or unseen power. And the regular daily prayers so scrupulously said by men, though generally neglected by women, are reduced to ceremonial forms; while the words uttered are, in many instances, sublime and magnificent.

If this my notion be correct, it will explain why these women were so startled, when, in answer to Helweh's question, I said simply and earnestly, "I spoke to God." This took them by surprise, and gave them the idea that I believed that my words were really heard. Whereas, if I had answered in commonplace language, such as, "I was saying my prayers," or "I was at my devotions," probably they would not have been impressed in the same way; though they might have wondered that a Franji should pray at all to their God. One of the women remarked, that no people, except Moslems, ever prayed to the one true God.

After talking with them for some time, and answering, as clearly as I could, their earnest, shrewd, and child-like questions, I said "good-night" once more. So they kissed me, and smoothed my pillow. But though I was fatigued bodily, my mind was so thoroughly roused and interested, that I could not immediately sleep. I watched the women resting under bright-colored quilts, with their heads on low, silken pillows. The lantern on the stool in the middle of the room lighted up the coins and jewels on their head-dresses. Now and then, one of the infants cried, and its mother or a slave rose to quiet it; and it was fed without being taken from its hammock. The mother stood upright