'In anger the priest strode out through the village to the spring. But all his wrath was changed into amazement when he saw the crowd of people sitting on the ground, convulsed with grief, around the members of his family.
'He went up to his wife and asked the matter.
'She moaned: "I cannot speak of it. Ask poor Nesîbeh!"
'He then turned to his eldest daughter, who, half-choked by sobs, explained:
'"I am a big girl now."
'"That is so, O my daughter."
'"A year or two, and you and mother will provide me with a husband."
'"That is possible."
'"Another year, and I shall have a little son!"
'"In sh' Allah!" said her father piously.