A brutal question; for the answer would be dinned into his ears by the echo, and he knew it all too well already.
"Come outside, daughter," he said, with a curse; "one cannot hear one's self speak in this chattering place."
They sat down on the topmost step of the low flight leading to the tomb. The heat of the sun was over, but a scorching air struck up from the bricks, making Suttu fan herself with the corner of her veil. No wonder men coveted her, thought her companion, eying her askance. She grew handsomer every day.
"Suttu," he began, taking the plunge boldly, "peace is better than war. Give me half the gold, and I am content. Let it stay in the family, Suttu."
"Whose family--mine or thine?" she asked, scornfully.
"'Tis the same. Lo, is not Murghub thy brother, since he is thy mother's son, though he be but a poor natural?"
"Lay not that to her charge," retorted Suttu, flippantly. "She made no mistake in me."
Hussan coughed down his impatience. "Well, well, I care not. I came not to chop words. It is the gold, Suttu! I mean to have some of it."
"What gold? I know of none. I have seen none."
"Then have I! See!" He felt in an innermost pocket, and showed her, lying in his palm, a broad gold-piece. "They make not such pieces nowadays. Where that came from there are more."