He bowed. “They are in there? I will bring them, heavenborn!”
“Nonsense! You don't know where to find them.”
“The ayah—will—will show me!”
He fitted the key into the lock and turned it, but Ruth was at his side before he could pass in through the door.
“Nonsense, Risaldar! The ayah can't hurt me. You have taken her knife away, and that is my room. I will go in there alone!”
She pushed past him before he could prevent her, thrust the door back and peered in.
“Stay, heavenborn—I will explain!”
“Explain what?”
The dim light from the lamp was filtering in past them, and her eyes were slowly growing accustomed to the gloom. There was something lying on the floor, in the middle of the room, that was bulky and shapeless and unfamiliar.
“Ayah!” said Ruth. “Ayah!”