Page:Domestic Life in Palestine.pdf/386

Rh It seems to me to be a part of Oriental etiquette for the elder children to preserve a kind of grave decorum in the presence of a father; the younger children alone are free to show their natural feelings, and demonstrative  affection is regarded as childish and undignified.

The wives did not look quite at their ease, perhaps because it was the first time that they had ever seen their husband in the presence of a stranger, but they trimmed his pipe and waited on him with assiduity. The servants and slaves were standing near to the door, whispering together, and appeared very much amused.

Saleh Bek informed me that he was about to send two of his sons, aged fifteen and sixteen, to the Latin college at Antûra, a French establishment, not far from Beirût. He said that if there had been an English college in the country, where as good an education could have been obtained, he should have chosen it in preference. While we were talking an Arab lady was announced, so Saleh Bek immediately rose, and, hastily taking leave of me, retreated. The lady kept her face closely vailed as she passed him in the court. When she came into the room the eldest wife rose, and, kindly welcoming her, assisted her to take off her white sheet and colored-muslin vail, which she handed to a slave to fold up. I found that the newly-arrived guest was Um Selim, who had left Yâfa to reside in Hâifa near to us. She had come to the harem to meet me there. After the usual greetings had been exchanged, an animated conversation was carried on by two of the wives and Um Selim. They spoke so rapidly and vehemently that I could scarcely understand a word. In the mean time Helweh, who was by my side, explained to me in simple words, gently spoken, the subjects of the conversation and the causes of the occasional bursts of laughter.

After inviting the children to come and see me on a certain day, I took leave and went with Um Selim down into the court, where the kawass awaited me. We passed the open door of the divan or reception-room for men. It was