in the
conversation, which they would have found very enjoyable even without the
beer which their host offered them in honor of the great event of his
young lord's return; for what was ever dearer to Egyptians than a brisk
exchange of talk, at the same time heaping ridicule or scorn on their
unapproachable superiors in rank, and on all they deem enemies to their
creed or their country.

Many a trenchant word and many a witty jest must have been uttered this
evening, for hearty laughter and loud applause were incessant in the head
steward's porch; the captain of the guard at the gate cast envious and
impatient glances at the merry band, which he would gladly have joined;
but he could not yet leave his post. The messengers' horses were standing
saddled while their riders awaited their orders, there were supplicants
and traders to be admitted or turned away, and there were still a number
of persons lingering in the large vestibule of the governor's palace and
craving to speak with him, for it was well known in Memphis that during
the hot season the ailing Mukaukas granted audience only in the evening.

The Egyptians had not yet acquired full confidence in the Arab
government, and every one tried to avoid being handed over to its
representative; for none of its officials could be so wise or so just as
their old Mukaukas. How the suffering man found strength and time to keep
an eye on everything, it was hard to imagine; but the fact remained that
he himself looked into every decision. At the same time no one could be
sure of his affairs being settled out of hand unless he could get at the
governor himself.

Business hours were now over; the anxiety caused both by the delay in the
rising of the Nile and by the advent of the comet had filled the
waiting-rooms with more petitioners than usual. Deputations from town and
village magistrates had been admitted in parties; supplicants on private
business had gone in one by one; and most of them had come forth content,
or at any rate well advised. Only one man still lingered,--a countryman
whose case had long been awaiting settlement--in the hope that a gift to
the great man's doorkeeper, of a few drachmae out of his poverty might at
length secure him the fruit of his long patience--when the chamberlain,
bidding him return on the morrow, officiously flung open the high doors
that led to the Mukaukas' apartments, to admit the Arab merchant, in
consideration of Haschim's gold piece