"'Why did you not tell me that you wished to go away for a time?'
"'Because you would not have allowed me...'
"'If you had promised to come back, I should have consented.'
"'You would not have believed me.'
"Seeing that I was not angry, she began to laugh, and said:
"'You see that is all over; I have come home again, and here I am. I only wanted a few days there. I have had enough of it now, it is finished and passed; the feeling is cured. I have come back, and have not that longing any more. I am very glad, and you are very kind.'
"'Come into the house,' I said to her.
"She got up, and I took her hand, her delicate hand, with its slender fingers, and triumphant in her rags, with her bracelets and her necklace ringing, she went gravely towards my house, where Mohammed was waiting for us, but before going in, I said:
"'Allouma, whenever you want to return to your own people, tell me, and I will allow you to go.'
"'You promise?'