knows how your affair would have ended.

At that moment Suad's brother came into the room, and having heard part of the conversation asked: What is going on?

— As I was about to enter the broadcasting house to record my talk, I saw her standing at the roadside with a crowd of people around her. It suddenly occurred to me that a little thing like her could have no business with people of that sort. And without pream-ble or argument, I took her by the hand into the broadcasting house.

Suad's brother said, addressing Nazik: And now, tell us your story.

Nazik smiled and hid her face with her two hands, which were

adorned with gold bracelets. Suad began to encourage her, saying: Come now, let us hear your story.

Nazik looked at Suad through the gaps between her fingers, then lowered her hands from her face with a bold movement and said with an air of unconcern: I ran away from my parents' house.

— When? — Today. — How many hours ago? — About two hours ago.

Suad's brother put in: And why?

Nazik said, with a wink: Because I am engaged.

Suad, who had caught sight of the gold engagement ring on the girl's finger, said: I see — then added:

— You mean you do not love your fiancé.

Nazik said in a tone that brooked

no argument: Not at all — we love each other to the point of madness.

Suad's brother asked: When were you engaged to him? — Three years ago.

Suad asked her, astonished: Three years? How old were you then?

— Yes, three years ago I was betrothed to him, and I was twelve years old.

— And why do you not marry?

Nazik said, heaving a sigh from her breast: My parents will not allow us to marry.

Suad's brother asked: I do not understand how they consented to the engagement and now deny you the marriage — did they take this position

because of your age?