[233]. Arab. “Ihtilám,” the sign of puberty in boy or girl; this, like all emissions of semen, voluntary or involuntary, requires the Ghuzl or total ablution before prayers can be said, etc. See vol. v. 199, in the Tale of Tawaddud.
[234]. This is the way to take an Eastern when he tells a deliberate lie; and it often surprises him into speaking the truth.
[235]. The conjunctiva in Africans is seldom white; often it is red and more frequently yellow.
[236]. So in the texts, possibly a clerical error for the wine which he had brought with the kabobs. But beer is the especial tipple of African slaves in Egypt.
[237]. Arab. Laun, prop. = color, hue; but applied to species and genus, our “kind”; and especially to dishes which differ in appearance; whilst in Egypt it means any dish.
[238]. Arab. “Zardah” = rice dressed with honey and saffron. Vol. ii. 313. The word is still common in Turkey.
[239]. Arab. “Laylat Ams,” the night of yesterday (Al-bárihah) not our “last night” which would be the night of the day spoken of.
[240]. Arab. “Yakhní,” a word much used in Persia and India and properly applied to the complicated broth prepared for the rice and meat. For a good recipe see Herklots, Appendix xxix.
[241]. In token of defeat and in acknowledgment that she was no match for men.
[242]. This is a neat touch of nature. Many a woman, even of the world, has fallen in love with a man before indifferent to her because he did not take advantage of her when he had the opportunity.