At last the party reached a spot where Osman's mother decided to stop. It was a favourite picnic-ground for the people of Constantinople. A pretty grove of trees was growing close to the shore, while, near by, tiny coffee-houses stood here and there in the meadows.
"I hear sweet music," said Osman. "Listen, mamma."
"Yes, it is a wandering player. After we get settled, we will pay him to play for us," answered his mother.
The ladies made themselves comfortable on the rugs their servants spread under the trees. The children wandered about as they liked.
"IT LOOKED ALMOST LIKE A FAIRY CITY."
"Sweet Waters of Europe" is a good name for this part of the river. It was a pleasant place, and everything about them looked fresh and inviting.
"Osman, let's see what that man is showing," cried Selim, after the boys had listened to some music and eaten the ices they had bought at a stand.
The children joined a crowd of people gathering around a showman.
It was a puppet-show, something like the Punch and Judy one sees in England and America. But the funny little figures acted out a very different play. It must have been amusing, for every one laughed heartily.