This awoke in Ashmed a sense of the great loss which Antonio and his parents had suffered. As he had on the previous day almost lost his dear Almira, he now understood much better what the loss of a child could mean. He began to think how noble it would be to restore Antonio to his parents. He said nothing, however, and together they walked toward home.
When Antonio entered the house he found Fatime awaiting her husband.
"Good Antonio!" she cried, as he entered, "you certainly performed a heroic deed yesterday. You snatched my child from death's grasp, and you did it at the risk of your own life."
"It was no more than my duty," said Antonio.
Then Almira took his hand and said: "Antonio, how good you were to save me"; and she kissed him again and again.
Fatime then led him to talk of himself, and became intensely interested in the tale of his home and early training. Her mother's heart went out to the boy who had saved her child.
Breakfast had been long delayed. As Ashmed now entered the room, the meal was soon dispatched, and the children went with Antonio to an adjoining room, where they sang and played till dinner time.
CHAPTER VI
THE PLANS
Ashmed and Fatime withdrew to the library, and seated themselves to enjoy a quiet half-hour in conversation.