in myself. I have practised self-denial for two days, and now I have
enjoyed; and thus it shall be in the future, Sitta Khadra. I shall
learn to do without, in order that I may enjoy. Do not scold me for
this; do not say, with the rest, that I am an obstinate boy! I am
not, mother, but I must prepare myself for the future which you have
announced to me. Your dream must be realized, and therefore must I
do what I am doing. Let me have my way, and remember that Allah is
with me everywhere. And remember this, too, mother, that wherever I
may be, I shall hear your call should you need me. If, at any time
when I am not here, you should need me, you have only to step out
before the door, and imitate the scream of the eagle when he hovers
in the air over his nest, and announces to his brood that he is
coming. You recollect hearing it when we were on the cliffs together
the other day. I pointed to an eagle hovering in the air, imitated
his cry, and begged you to do so too. It was not done without a
purpose, mother: I wished you to learn his cry, in order that you,
too, might call your brood in case of need."

The mother smiled. "A strange idea! What would people think if I
should step out before the door, and scream into the air in the
tones of an eagle?"

"Let people think what they please, mother," said he, with a
contemptuous shrug of the shoulders. "What care we? They already
laugh at and mock us. But a time shall come, Sitta Khadra, when they
shall bow down before you, and I only implore that Allah may permit
you to live to see the time when your son shall stand on the palace,
and wield his sword over humanity. Why do you sigh, mother?" he
asked hastily, and what he had never before observed, suddenly
occurred to him; her cheeks were sunken, and her face pale. "Why do