Khadra. I beg you to put them on; but, to please me, leave the veil
a little open, as the other women do, that people may see how
beautiful my mother is."

"This is folly, and I, am glad no one else hears your audacious
words. No chaste woman opens her veil to permit the gaze of
disrespectful men to fall on her, and my son Mohammed does not wish
to blush for his mother. My son, take back this package to Mr. Lion.
I cannot wear such clothes."

"You will not take them?" said the boy, hastily seizing the package.
"What my heart's warmest love offers, you reject?"

"I reject it," said she, gently. "I have no need of such clothes."

"Very well," cried he, defiantly. "If you do not need these clothes,
I will give them to the mermaids. They, too, like fine clothes, and
they will thank me more for that which I have bought with my life.
Yes, I will do this!"

He rushed to the door with such violence that Khadra could hardly
recall him. "Where are you going, Mohammed?"

"To the cliffs. What my mother despises I will throw, into the sea."

"Well, if you are about to do that, it shall be as you wish," said
the mother, leading him back from the door. "If the mermaids are to
have these beautiful things, it is better Mother Khadra should keep
them."