89. “It will fall as it will fall. To-morrow we do not know, but to-day and love we know well. Surely we are happy now.”
90. “So happy that it were well to make our happiness assured. And thy Beebee Miriam should listen to me; for she is also a woman. But then she would envy me! It is not seemly for men to worship a woman.”
91. Holden laughed aloud at Ameera’s little spasm of jealousy.
92. “Is it not seemly? Why didst thou not turn me from worship of thee, then?”
93. “Thou a worshipper! And of me? My king, for all thy sweet words, well I know that I am thy servant and thy slave, and the dust under thy feet. And I would not have it otherwise. See!”
94. Before Holden could prevent her she stooped and touched his feet; recovering herself with a little laugh she hugged Tota close to her bosom. Then, almost savagely:
95. “Is it true that the bold white mem-log live for three times the length of my life? Is it true that they make their marriages not before they are old women?”
96. “They marry as do others—when they are women.”
97. “That I know, but they wed when they are twenty-five. Is that true?”
98. “That is true.”