covered babies."

"_Aiwah_, Effendi, it is custom." Abdul shrugged his shoulders. "Did
the Effendi not say that to every bird his nest is home? These women
were born here, their children will grow up here, they will have their
children here. It is their home."

"We must get out of it, Abdul. I can't stand it any longer!" Michael
tried to walk faster. "If I had only a fly-switch! I can't keep the
beasts out of my mouth--it's disgusting!"

"_Aiwah_, Effendi, I told you it was not a wholesome village. I
assured the Effendi it would be wiser for him only to pay his respects
to the _Omdeh_ and not to pass through his village." Abdul darted into
one of the houses, whose open front was flush with the rock-wall of the
street, which was simply a tunnel in a vast rock; he returned with a
palm-leaf fan; a half-piastre had purchased it. He fanned his master
with it until he saw the colour return to his cheeks. "The Effendi is
better?"

"Thank you, Abdul, I am all right. It was only this stifling
atmosphere, and I've been feeling a bit off colour for the last few
days--my usual powers of sleep have deserted me."

"The Effendi has some trouble on his mind?"

"That is true, Abdul, but the trouble would not be there if I was
feeling quite my usual self--I could banish it."

"The Effendi's heart must not be distracted."

"I have received no letters from the Valley, Abdul. What do you think
has happened?"

"The Effendi must not ask for things impossible."

"I suppose not, Abdul. When I left the Valley I agreed that I should
not expect to receive letters--they were not to write unless there were
things taking place which I ought to know, yet my heart is troubled--I
have written so often."

"May the Effendi's servant know the cause of his master's unrest? Will
he permit two hearts to bear the burden?"

"I should feel at rest if I was certain that the Effendi Lampton had
received my letter, if I knew that scandal had not been carried to the
hut." Michael paused. "I wished to be the first to tell him that
Madam was a member of our camp, that I met her unexpectedly, that fear
sent her away. My happiness depended upon his answer, upon his
absolute belief in my explanation."

"_Aiwah_, Effendi, Abdul understands. The situation has
complications--ill news travels apace."

"I should not like the _Sitt_ to hear from other sources that Madam was
with us."

"But your letter should have reached the hut by this