that is, Zahra — was a specialist in teaching small children; her friend worked as secretary in the school where Zahra taught, for she could not endure teaching children or bear to be long in their company. Her hands were in perpetual motion: when she finished pounding the typewriter or adding up figures, she turned to plying her hands at knitting wool with surpassing skill, while Zahra would sit down to read a book or hum a tune.

The two companions were exchanging talk as they sat on the hotel terrace after breakfast. Said Sana, following with her gaze two elderly hotel guests who had withdrawn to a sunny corner of the terrace to sit: — Don't you think these two young men's alighting upon the hotel is one of fortune's happy chances? Boredom had all but killed us in this dreary atmosphere. — You are right. The hotelkeeper and his wife might be relics of the Stone Age. They are good at nothing but smiling and repeating phrases of politeness. — But the food is clean, and the hotel is well situated. — It is a magical air; it wakens energy and stirs up dreams. — The two companions are still deep in their sleep. What sluggards! They promised to go with us this morning on a long walk. — It is still early morning, and the weather is cold. No harm if we start out an hour from now. — I see you are defending them. — What do you mean?

An innocent smile of affection crossed Sana's face, and she said in the tone of an elder sister: — Listen. He has talked to me about you most delightfully. He holds you in great admiration, and I don't doubt he is smitten with you. — You mean Issam? —

Yes; the thing is plain. Don't you see him — he follows you more faithfully than your own shadow... And you... I can only think you are pleased with his conduct. — And how did my pleasure show itself to you? — I see you happy. Your face wears the marks of contentment and happiness. — I don't know — it is the effect of the air, the rest, the beauty of nature, and the company. But I cannot discover my own feelings at such speed. And I do wonder at his haste. — He has known you a long while. — That means noth-ing. — Here they come. Issam is wearing his most bewitching smile. — He was not long about it. Come, let us change our shoes.

•

In the evening — while Sana lay sound asleep — Zahra tossed upon her bed in the hotel room, going over the day's events. She called back to mind what Sana had said in the morning... No doubt she was truthful in her observations and in what she reported; her friend had never once lied to her, and had no need to lie. Issam directed all his atten-tion to her alone and watched over her every movement... And the walk had been truly splendid... They walked long, long, through the tracks and paths that glide like magic threads over the slopes and around the bends — now straight, now winding — opening out over the level ground, then narrowing until they all but vanish among rocks and thorns... How she loved these paths, worn smooth before them by thousands of feet, leaving behind faint traces that speak of man's love for the earth, or of his fear of it... So she spoke to Issam when he complimented her on her lightness of step; for he kept beside her

most of the time, telling her of his free, progressive inclinations and his reformist opinions, describing to her his scouting activity, how he hoped to head the federation he had labored to bring into being, and how he had succeeded in getting the school principal to increase the hours of physical training from two a week to three. Then he told her of his passion for walking and excursions, and begged her to come with him, she and her companion, on many outings during this holiday. And if his friend declined to accompany them, he would go with the two of them alone.

She thought it only proper not to let him monopolize her company, so she seized the moment on the way back, when he was busy picking some wild flowers, to turn to the other companion — Nasri — and talk with him a little about the books he was reading and the examinations he had still to pass. It pleased her to listen to Nasri as he explained to her his method of teaching "things," while Issam walked beside Sana, glaring at the two of them. She fancied she heard him address her teasingly — "It seems the talk has many branches" — but she paid it no attention.

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