Page 330 - Neglected Arabia Vol 2

10 NHGUICTF.D ARABIA

the equivalent of $(>.UO when he left with apologies that it was mu mure.
Of course he was assured that whatever lie could pay was absolutely all
right, and he was given medicine to last at least a month. Hut what will
have happened to I lya and her little son out on the desert we will probably
never know.
Some day we hope to run the hospital along the lines of a charily
hospital at home and feed the patients and have enough muses to give
them all care. As it is, we do have to feed occasional utterly destitute
patients. Our nurses give all nursing care, of course, but the feeding and
tending is done by relatives. At this point it would be difficult to persuade
patients to stay without their relatives. The family wards are always
in demand.
The other day the queen sent word she wished us to call and consult
us regarding her health. In this case we drove out beyond the city to the
seaside to a place where there are palm trees and even a little green stuff
growing. The sea curves inward here making a lovely beach. At the edge
of this is the queen’s summer house, a house with blue shutters and
windows upstairs. We entered the court and went up the little outside
stairs to the verenda and from there to her reception room, a lovely room
carpeted with Persian rugs with many mirrors, some chairs, two luxurious
divans and the Arab dosheks and pillows. Presently the queen came in, «
attired in a “thobe” of georgette, very lovely and attractive. After the
consultation she brought in her granddaughter, for whom she has an
Indian nurse maid trained in English ways. Thajiba is the little girl’s
name and the arrangement of her food and habits is on the best Western
plan. We were served with peaches, fruit candy, chocolate and Arab
cake which we ate with our lingers.
On another occasion the sister of the king came to us. After some
weeks she recovered and desired to entertain us. so one evening the mission
ladies went by motor to Rifa, where Muneera has her castle. We entered
the courtyard about twilight. The lambs and goats went bleating from us
and we passed to the inner court. Here on a porch, enclosed on three
sides, were spread rugs and cushions. The ladies of the house in their
graceful lliolics and gold embroidered abbas all came to sit with uv t hit*
hostess’ daughter was deaf and dumb, and all were pleased when we
succeeded in helping her say one or two simple words; most of all the
deaf and dumb girl was pleased and showed her pleasure bv glowing eyes
and excited little movements. Her condition had resulted from childhood
iliness ami she was most attractive in her appearance and manner.
After dusk the feast was spread—the enormous tray of rice with a
whole sheep atop, the little roasted chickens, the savory gravy, thin un­
leavened bread, fresh buttermilk, dates and melons. And at the end. Arab
coffee just before we left. We sat tin the lloor around the tray, eating
with our right hands, laughing and chatting. Arabs and Americans, and
the Indian nurses and native Armenian Christians, sisters all and every­
body happy.

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