tears! As I live, they are most uncomfortable play-fellows!--and
dwelling with them long would drive all the inspiration out of
man, no matter how nobly he were gifted! Ye butterflies--ye little
fluttering souls!" and beginning to laugh as readily as he had
frowned, he addressed the other maidens, who, though they did not
dare to move or speak, were evidently affected by the grief of
their companion--"Go hence all!-and take this sensitive baby,
Zoralin, into your charge, and console her for her fancied
troubles--'tis a mere frenzy of feminine weakness, and will pass
like an April shower. But, ... by the Sacred Veil!--if I saw much
of woman's weeping, I would discard forever woman's company, and
dwell in peaceful hermit fashion alone among the treetops! ... so
heed the warning, pretty ones! ... Let me witness none of your
tears if ye are wise,--or else say farewell to Sah-luma, and seek
some less easy and less pleasing service!"

With this injunction he signed to them all to depart,--whereupon
the awed and trembling girls noiselessly surrounded the still
convulsively sobbing Zoralin, and gently leading her away, they
quickly withdrew, each one making a profound obeisance to their
imperious master ere leaving his presence. When they had finally
disappeared Sah-luma heaved a sigh of relief.

"Can anything equal the perverseness of these frivolous feminine
toys!" he murmured pettishly, turning his head round toward Theos
as he spoke--"Was ever a more foolish child than Zoralin? ... Just
as I would fain have consoled her for her pricking heartache, she
must needs pour out a torrent of tear-drops to change my humor and
quench her own delight! 'Tis the most irksome inconsistency!"