"Ah! At school."
The sun sank lower and lower, tinting the sky with red gold. The gold was reflected in Busie's eyes. They were bathed in gold.
. . . . .
I want very much to surprise Busie with Sheika's tricks which I can imitate by means of "Kaballa." But they do not surprise her. On the contrary, I think they amuse her. Why else does she show me her pearl-white teeth? I am a little annoyed, and I say to her:
"Maybe you do not believe me?"
Busie laughs.
"Maybe you think I am boasting? Or that I am inventing lies out of my own head?"
Busie laughs louder. Oh, in that case, I must show her. I know how. I say to her:
"The thing is that you do not know what 'Kaballa' means. If you knew what 'Kaballa' was you would not laugh. By means of 'Kaballa,' if I like, I can bring your mother here. Yes, yes! And if you beg hard of me, I will bring her this very night, riding on a stick."
All at once she stops laughing. A cloud settles on her beautiful face. And I imagine that the sun has disappeared. No more sun, no more day! I am afraid I went a little too far. I had no right to pain her—to speak of her mother. I am sorry for the whole thing. I must wipe it out. I must ask her forgiveness. I creep close to her. She turns away from me. I try to take her hand. I wish to say to her in the words of the "Song of Songs": "'Return, return, O Shulamite!' Busie!" Suddenly a voice called from the house: