Instantly her husband frowned and angrily muttered something in his own tongue. The woman seemed distressed.
“No, no,” said Willie, with quick intuition. “What country do they come from? Turkey?”
The smile came back to the woman’s face. “Syria,” she said.
“Good!” said Willie. “Fine country, Syria.”
The woman smiled more broadly than ever. “My home,” she said. “Fine country.”
“When I get enough money saved,” said Willie, “I am going to buy a lace collar for my mother.”
“Fine laces. Cheap!” said the woman. “Mother like lace?”
“Round her neck,” said Willie. “So,” and he drew his fingers along the lapels of his coat.
The woman laughed, showing her pearly teeth. “Very good,” she said.
“How long did it take you to make that scarf?” asked Willie, picking up a beautiful lace head-dress.