trivial and the tragic—confectionery and death—a box of candied

fruits and an irreparable loss! If there were no contrasts what

would the world be? All one or the other, I suppose. All death, or

all Kiew sweetmeats.

"I suppose you know what life in Egypt is like. If you have not

tried it yourself, your friends have and can describe it to you. I

will certainly not inflict my impressions upon your friendship. It

would be rather a severe test—perhaps yours would not bear it, and

then I should be sorry.

"Do you know? I like to think that I have a friend in you. I like