“Mam’zelle is going out?”
“Yes, to see the village by night.”
Suzanne looked irresolute. Craven fear and curiosity fought a battle within her, as was evident by the expressions that came and went in her face before she answered.
“Shall we not be murdered, Mam’zelle, and are there interesting things to see?”
“There are interesting things to see—dancers, singers, keef smokers. But if you are afraid don’t come.”
“Dancers, Mam’zelle! But the Arabs carry knives. And is there singing? I—I should not like Mam’zelle to go without me. But——”
“Come and protect me from the knives then. Bring my jacket—any one. I don’t suppose I shall put it on.”
As she spoke the distant tomtoms began. Suzanne started nervously and looked at Domini with sincere apprehension.
“We had better not go, Mam’zelle. It is not safe out here. Men who make a noise like that would not respect us.”
“I like it.”