Page:Domestic Life in Palestine.pdf/284

Rh are made. Perhaps your English customs are not quite good in this matter, and our customs also are not good. It is better that we take from you a little, and that you also take some teachings from us. I went, four years ago, to Nâsirah, my town, for my espousals. All knew that I went to look for a girl. I had no father; I had no mother. I went to the house of my aunt, the sister of my father, and said,' O my aunt! seek for me a girl, that I may be espoused quickly.' And she said, 'Be at rest, O my son! I know a good girl for you; I shall speak for her. Then my heart was heavy, because I must not seek and see her for myself; and I said, 'O my aunt! how can I do this thing and not see her? Perhaps her eyes are bad; perhaps she has manners not good. I must see her. Hide me that I may see her.' My aunt was much afraid; but she loved me, and she said, 'Make your heart strong; I will cheat her for you.'

"So she went out and sought for the girl she wished to take for my wife. She was the child of our neighbor; and when she found her she said, 'My daughter, I seek you. Come with me to my house. Let us work together. I have a thing to show you.' Then I stood where she must come that way. Her face had no vail. She did not know that I was hid. She was a little while working and talking with my aunt. I saw that she was beautiful and fair; she was eleven of age. She spoke well and softly, and her words were good words; and my heart went out of myself to her. In a little while she came by where I stood, and she saw that I was looking on her with power. Then her face came very red, and she ran home very fast to her mother, and my aunt also went to her. And the girl cried and said, 'O mother! they cheat me—they cheat me!' Her mother gave her comfort, and said, "Be at rest, O my daughter! Now that he has seen you, he will wish you for his wife; he will take you.' But the girl was full of anger, and said again, 'It is not good that they cheat me.'