Miss Emily Bisharat, secretary to Her Majesty Queen Misbah, spoke to us about the Queen. She said:
The first thing about Her Majesty that captivated me was that sincere democratic spirit which is inborn in her, and which is part of her manners — the manners of the House of the Prophet. I have worked in the service of the Jordanian woman's renaissance under Her Majesty's patronage, and I have been able to see in her those lofty gifts and singular qualities with which she was born: quickness of wit and penetration of mind, together with a flair for the jest and a sweetness of conversation that distinguish Her Majesty, so that she stamps upon the mind of anyone honored with her company a living picture of an Arab queen of surpassing intelligence. She — God preserve her — captivates her guests, Arab and foreign alike, with her graciousness and her limpid, delightful talk.
And Her Majesty holds in the highest esteem people of learning and letters, and the leaders of the women's movement.
I am in the salon on the first floor of the Jordanian Legation, receiving from my friend Miss Thurayya Malhas a lesson in the rules of royal "protocol"; soon afterward we are to be honored with an audience before Her Majesty Queen Misbah, wife of the monarch of the Jordanian Kingdom.
... Here is Mrs. Farida Shubeilat, wife of His Excellency Farhan Shubeilat, Minister Plenipotentiary of the Jordanian Kingdom in Lebanon, coming toward us with permission to enter Her Majesty's presence — a permission we receive with delight; we hasten forward, kiss the gracious hand, and sit politely, waiting for Her Majesty to open the conversation.
Hardly were we settled when my eyes began to steal glances at the face of the venerable lady seated at the head of the room...
... Two wide, radiant eyes from which majesty and faith shine forth; a broad brow; a fair complexion in which age has left its accustomed trace, only adding to her dignity; and two delicate lips that part from time to time in a faint smile that speaks of love, gentleness, and deep tenderness.
Her Majesty gives a slight nod, and I hasten to welcome her and to express the joy of the women of Lebanon at her visit. Then I put to Her Majesty the following questions:
— Is this Your Majesty's first visit to Lebanon?
— I visited you once before this visit, but it was brief, and I was not able to see Lebanon then.
I greatly admire this good country and its refreshing autumn weather, and I feel that it suits my temperament and my health better than the climate of Amman — or is it the change of air that has given me this feeling of vigor?
— I am very glad that Your Majesty is comfortable in Lebanon, and I should like to know your opinion regarding higher education for girls. Is Your Majesty among woman's supporters on this path, which some people count as extremism?
— What extremism is this? Is it right that the world should hurry forward in progress while woman stays behind the caravan? No: I want for woman, in the way of universal culture, everything that is open to man. This is an age in which we must exchange our darkness for light, and free ourselves from the fetters of ignorance that have chained our hands for long years.
She said this, and there formed on her lips the shadow of a bitter smile, signifying her absolute support for the educated woman, and for taking her by the hand to walk ever forward.