"What news? When do they come? We have heard nothing."
"It is not known when they arrive."
"Why do you look so gloomy? Is the news otherwise than good?"
"Yemmah! how can I tell? Aiyoh! to think of such a thing!"
After this enigmatic speech she began to weep with the ready ease of the oriental. The sensation created was gratifying to her vanity. There was a perfect clamour for an explanation.
"What is it? Speak! we are all on fire to learn!"
"The master has sent an order by the wire that there are to be no rejoicings. Aiyoh! to think that the young excellency should return to his father's house without rejoicings, without feastings and garlandings, and without fireworks and feeding of the poor!"
"What says the mistress?"
"That there has been an accident or an illness, and that their honours, the master and his son are not coming. If there is bad luck it will be the waning moon that will have caused it. Next week all would have gone well. What news has been received in this house? Has the ticking devil sent any message?"
"Only one. It was written on a thin slip of paper, and it came in a brown envelope."