547 ([return])
[ I omit here and elsewhere the parenthetical formula "Kála al-Ráwi," etc. = The Story-teller sayeth, reminding the reader of its significance in a work collected from the mouths of professional Tale-tellers and intended mainly for their use.]
548 ([return])
[ The usual sign of emotion, already often mentioned.]
549 ([return])
[ It being no shame to Moslems if a slave become King.]
550 ([return])
[ Arab. "Tarbiyatí," i.e., he was brought up in my house.]
551 ([return])
[ There is no Salic law amongst Moslems; but the Rasm or custom of AlIslam, established by the succession of the four first Caliphs, to the prejudice of Ayishah and other masterful women would be a strong precedent against queenly rule. It is the reverse with the Hindus who accept a Rani as willingly as a Rajah and who believe with Europeans that when kings reign women rule, and vice versa. To the vulgar Moslem feminine government appears impossible, and I was once asked by an Afghan, "What would happen if the queen were in childbed?">[