Page:Islam, Turkey, and Armenia, and How They Happened.djvu/94

88 approve one the subject is taken into more serious consideration among all the members of the family, and the opinion of the young man is consulted. He is too bashful to state his thoughts freely, especially in his father's presence, but he finds many ways to express himself. The young lady and her family are considered formally unaware of the intention, though they actually know about the case and prepare themselves to respond to the proposition. The girl has less voice than the young man, still her decision can not be entirely overlooked.

2. The Ceremony of Engagement. When the friends of the young man give their decision for a certain young woman, they send some friends or their priest to make the formal proposition and get the answer of "the other side." If they get a favorable reply a day is appointed for the ceremony of engagement, when the friends of the young man, associated with the priest, go to the home of the young woman to perform the ceremony of engagement. The nearest friends of both families are there, but neither of the couple. After some pell mell conversation, the representative of the young man asks the elder member of the girl's family, "Mr., do you know for what purpose we came here this evening?" He answers, "You are all welcome; what purpose can we expect but friendship and brotherly call. You know our house is always open for the friends; you are a thousand times welcome." "Yes, indeed, we are friends, and always welcomed in your house. God bless you and your home, but in this visit we