while others played on odd looking instruments and chanted in monotonous
tones.

The party went into the house, found that it contained but one room,
oblong in shape, with high ceiling, and windows just beneath the cornice.

"That would hardly do for Americans," remarked Walter, gazing up at them,
"for we could not see into the street."

"We could go to the door, Uncle Walter," said Elsie.

"Or have a step-ladder to carry about from one window to another," laughed
Rosie.

"I like the festooned walls, the fountain in the centre, and the thick
rugs on the floors," remarked Violet; "the hanging lamps too, and
ornaments of rich woods inlaid with ivory; also the divans that look like
such comfortable resting-places."

"Yes, madame would find them pleasant to rest upon," responded a young
Turk in excellent, but quaintly intoned, English; then he went on to
explain everything in the same tongue.

Their next visit was to Cairo Street, at the gate of which ten cents was
asked for the admission of each one of the party; a small sum they
thought, to give in payment for a sight of all that was on exhibition
inside. Having passed through the gate they found themselves in a street
square, with a cafe opening into it on one side. Entering it they sat down
and looked about them.