“But I told him they were so wrapped up in their husbands that if the husband was killed the wife went and died, ma’am.”
“I would—I know I would!” agreed Eveleen. “That was very true, Tom. And was he convinced?”
“I wouldn’t go so far as to say that, ma’am; but I’m sure it made an impression on him.” The luckless man refrained, naturally enough, from adding that he had assured Kamal-ud-din the lady’s husband was at the point of death, and if he were allowed to die in peace, and his wife to tend him to the last and mourn for him a certain number of days, the conventions of her tribe would be satisfied, and its daughter free to marry again. He had a suspicion that Eveleen could hardly be expected to accept this point of view. “If you’ll remember to keep that up if he should insist on coming in here——”
“Keep that up? He’ll hear a good deal more than that if he forces himself upon me! Tell me now—will I starve myself a little, just to look more like dying?”
“I wouldn’t, ma’am. You may want all your strength any time—there’s no knowing. Not but what I’ve done all I could to frighten the Khan—swearing to him that if he lays a finger on you the General will cut him up into little pieces, and all that. But you can’t tell.”
“I understand. I’ll know what to do.”
“Then good-bye for the present, ma’am. I’ll do my best to get word to you first if he does think of comin’ this way, but I mayn’t have the chance.” He went out dolefully, and Eveleen made a face after him.
“Y’are a faithful creature, I believe, but I greatly wish y’were a bit more cheerful!” she said. “Just when I’d like a little help in keeping up my spirits——”
Before she could finish the sentence, his face was poked in again. “Ma’am, he’s comin’ now! For Heaven’s sake, keep cool, and remember I’m nothing but the interpreter!”
The accents were so full of terror that Eveleen felt her heart sink. But only for a moment. She stooped over her unconscious husband, and touched his forehead with infinite tenderness. “Ah, my dear, wouldn’t I fight for myself if need be? and have I not you to fight for as well, when you’d be fighting for me if you could? Don’t be afraid now; your wife is by your side.”