gestures as he repeatedly put
his hand to his mouth, and while his wife, Orion, and the widow were
besieging the merchant with questions, he whispered a few words to
one of the slaves. The man vanished, and returned bringing in, by his
master's orders, a long strip of carpet which he laid in front of the
Arab's brown and strong but delicately-formed feet.

A wonderful change came over the merchant's whole being as this was
done. He drew himself up with a dignity which none of those present
had suspected in the man who had so humbly entered the room and so
diligently praised his wares; an expression of satisfaction overspread
his calm, mild features, a sweet smile parted his lips, and his kind
eyes sparkled through tears like those of a child unexpectedly pleased.
Then he bowed before the Mukaukas, touching his brow, lips and breast
with the finger-tips of the right hand to express: "All my thoughts,
words and feelings are devoted to you,"--while he said: "Thanks, Son of
Menas. That was the act of Moslem."

"Of a Christian!" cried Orion hastily. But his father shook his head
gently, and said, slowly and impressively: "Only of a man."

"Of a man," repeated the merchant, and then he added thoughtfully: "Of a
man! Yes, that is the highest mark so long as we are what we ought to be
The image of the one God. Who is more compassionate than He? And every
mother's son who is likewise compassionate, is like him."

"Another Christian rule, thou strange Moslem!" said Orion interrupting
him.

"And yet," said Haschim, with tranquil dignity, "it corresponds word
for word with the teaching of the Best of men--our Prophet. I am one of
those who knew him here on earth. His brother's smallest pain filled
his soft heart with friendly sympathy; his law insists on charity, even
towards the shrub by the wayside; he pronounces it mortal sin to injure
it, and every Moslem must obey him. Compassion for all is the command
of the Prophet...." Here the Arab was suddenly and roughly interrupted;
Paula, who, till now, had been leaning against a pilaster, contemplating
the hanging and silently listening to the conversation, hastily stepped
nearer to the old man, and with flaming cheeks and flashing eyes pointed
at him wrathfully, while she exclaimed in a trembling voice-heedless
alike of the astonished and indignant bystanders, and of the little dog
which flew at the Arab, barking furiously:

"You--you, the followers of the false prophet--you, t