Page:Domestic Life in Palestine.pdf/404

397 He spoke energetically of the powers of the human mind, and the advantages of study and scientific research, and alluded with great feeling to the past history of the East, its grandeur, its scientific attainments, and its intellectual and moral influence over the world at large.

The subjects most eagerly studied were, the elements of geography, voyages of discovery, general history, and the rise and progress of civilization in different countries. Some of the members took especial interest in the history of the arts and manufactures. I was never present at any of these meetings. I used to retire to my room when the president took the chair.

One evening, when as usual I had retreated, and was busy writing an Arabic exercise, somebody tapped at my door. It was Yassin Agha, one of the most wealthy and influential Moslems in the Pashalic. (See page 118.) He apologized for disturbing me, but said, "I entreat you to allow me to come and smoke my pipe here, that I may ask your counsel and help in a great matter." I welcomed him, and after having requested permission to close the door, he took a seat and said, "I have been greatly wishing to speak to you; it is now two months since you have been to my house—why have you ceased to come?" I answered, "Since the lamented death of your wife, there is in your house no one to receive meas a guest, therefore I no longer go there." He answered, "It is even as I thought; but now I have come to ask you to do me a great service. I wish to ask your advice about taking another wife. I have thought of one—you know her—and I want you to tell me if she is good and if she is beautiful. She is the daughter of Saleh Bek Abdul Hady, and her name is Asmé." I answered, "In all the country, I think, there is not a girl more beautiful or more pleasant than Asmé."

I had taken her portrait carefully, and I handed it to him. He was delighted with it, and said, gazing at the picture, "How tall is she? Does she speak softly? What is her age? Does her mother know you well?" I said,