Page:Domestic Life in Palestine.pdf/385

378 Helweh, the youngest and prettiest of the three wives, looked much more womanly and sedate, though not less affectionate, than formerly. She wore very full, deep, rose-colored silk trowsers, and a tight jacket of violet and white striped Damascus satin, sprinkled with small bunches of flowers, and round her waist was a fine Cashmere  shawl. The eldest wife was dressed in flowered silk, and her three young daughters—of whom the eldest, named Asmé, had grown very beautiful—wore violet-colored silk jackets, embroidered with silver-braid, and quite closed in front. Their trowsers were of light muslin, and made very full and long. They each wore little red-cloth Constantinople tarbûshes, put on coquettishly a little on one side. The other wife was busy with an infant boy of whom she seemed to be very proud.

While I was answering their many questions about my long journey, and receiving their commiserations because neither I nor my brother were yet married, the lord of the harem sent word that he would, with my permission, enter in to greet me. So he came. When he appeared the wives and the women-servants immediately rose and stood deferentially till he was seated; then, as they resumed their seats, they saluted him by touching their foreheads gracefully with their hands. In the mean time the children came forward and kissed his hands. He seemed to be very kind and gentle to all his family. He said to me, "I rejoice to see you here, O lady; I hope that you will often come, for where you are there is clearness and brightness."

His children unconsciously proved to me that they were accustomed to be caressed by him, for they clustered round him lovingly, and little Saîd was especially demonstrative. He said, coaxingly, "O my father, may I go to see the house of the English lady? it is her wish that I should go." Asmé, his eldest daughter, scarcely spoke a word, and sat sedately still and impassive; and the face which a few minutes before had seemed to be so beautiful with vivacity and cheerfulness looked quite unattractive.