language, and the consular dragoman asks four dollars a lesson.
I must wait till I get to Thebes, where I think a certain young Said can
teach me. Meanwhile I am beginning to understand rather more and to
speak a very little. Please direct to me to Briggs and Co. at Cairo; if
I am gone, the letters will follow up the river.

December 1, 1863: Mrs. Ross

_To Mrs. Ross_.

CAIRO,
_December_ 1, 1863.

DEAREST JANET,

I should much like to go with Thayer if his times and seasons will suit
mine; but I cannot wait indefinitely, still less come down the river
before the end of April. But most likely the Pasha will give him a boat.
It is getting cold here and I feel my throat sore to-day. I went to see
Hassan yesterday, he is much better, but very weak and pale. It is such
a nice family--old father, mother, and sister, all well-bred and pleasing
like Hassan himself. He almost shrieked at hearing of your fall, and is
most anxious to see you when you come here. Zeyneb, after behaving very
well for three weeks, has turned quietly sullen and displays great
religious intolerance. It would seem that the Berberi men have put it
into her head that we are inferior beings, and she pretends not to be
able to eat because she thinks everything is pig. Omar's eating the food
does not convince her. As she evidently does not like us I will offer
her to Mrs. Hekekian Bey, and if she does not do there, in a household of
black Mussulman slaves, they must pass her on to a Turkish house. She is
very clever and I am sorry, but to keep a sullen face about me is more
than I can endure, as I have shown her every possible kindness. I think
she despises Omar for his affection towards me. How much easier it is to
instil the bad part of religion than the good; it is really a curious
phenomenon in so young a child. She waits capitally at table, and can do
most things, but she won't move if the fancy takes her except when
ordered, and spends her time on the terrace. One thing is that the life
is dull for a child, and I think she will be happier in a larger, more
bustling house. I don't know whether, after the fearful example of Mrs.
B., I can venture to travel up the Nile with such a _seducteur_ as our
dear Mr. Thayer. What do you think? Will gray hairs on my side and
_mutual_ bad l