Which is far more important."
Alicia hugged my knees, and laughed. Then, seeing Mr. Nicholas
Jelnik approaching, she scrambled to her feet, picked up the tray of
empty dishes, and went back to the house.
Neither she nor the doctor had asked me so much as one question
about Mr. Jelnik. As if by tacit understanding that subject was
avoided. And because I hadn't anything to tell them, I, too, held my
peace.
He raised my hand to his lips, dropped into a chair, and bared his
forehead to the soft wind.
"How good that feels!" he sighed. "Fraeulein, may one smoke?" And
receiving permission he smoked for a while, comfortably, leaning
back with half-closed eyes.
"Achmet salaams to you, _hanoum_," he said presently. "You have won
his heart of a true believer. Even Daoud demands daily news of you."
"I particularly like The Jinnee. I should like to have him around
me. And Daoud is highly ornamental."
"When is The Author coming back? Or is he coming back?" he asked
abruptly.
"Oh, yes. He will be here for the wedding. So will Miss Emmeline."
After a long pause, and with an evident effort:
"I have been thinking," he said, "that perhaps it was unfortunate I
came between you and The Author.
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