when they marry, they will be lost to you. Once married, they are gone
for ever."

She stepped up to her daughter, kissed her, and sank to the floor,
weeping copiously.

Then Amik rose to speak. He beckoned to his daughter. She advanced
and knelt down, holding the fringe of his legging while he addressed
her:

"Neykia, my daughter, you have taken this man. Be good to him, work
for him, live for him, and if need be, die for him. Kiss me, Neykia,
my daughter; kiss me for the last time."

She kissed him, and he added:

"You have kissed me for the last time: henceforth never kiss any man
but your husband."

Raising his hand with untutored dignity, he pronounced the words:

"Remember . . . I have spoken."




VIII

BUSINESS AND ROMANCE