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 THE RED RUGS OF TARSUS

delighted to come, and praised our school and its hospitality. At the end of each scene they applauded conspicuously. The Mufti's parch- ment-like cheeks wrinkled to expose his yellow gumless teeth in an appreciative grin, while the Kai'makam shook hands with the asthmatic Feriq Pasha until his Hamidian decorations jingled on his breast.

Our efforts to persuade the boys to cut out a part here and there were in vain. They in- sisted on giving the whole blessed thing. Candied almonds and glasses of water passed around in the audience helped to keep them awake. The atmosphere was hot and close, and the petroleum was getting low in the lamps. Between the first and second acts the school band all individualists did their favorite piece, the very march that the old German or- chestra leader in Philadelphia used to play at the Country Club dances just after the last waltz before supper. The boys put the vigor of their youth and the enthusiasm of the oc- [96]

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