She had not been in her own house a day, before she said to Umm ed-Dahak:
“Wilt thou do me a great service?”
“Wallahi, that will I! Even—saving thy presence—one most sinful!”
“And canst thou keep a secret from the seed of Adam?”
“Not only that, but from the walls and air.”
“I want a letter carried to a great one of the English.”
“I seek refuge in Allah!” gasped the old woman, grinning widely. “Knowest thou it is a crime unheard of that thou askest of me? Fie upon thee! Wallahi, if I did my duty I should leave thee straightway!”
But far from flying from her mistress she came nearer. Her wrinkles ran to smiles; her old eyes twinkled.