Page 113 - Neglected Arabia Vol 1 (2)

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8 NEGLECTED ARABIA

well as others of good families, sit at the same table and eat the
same simple but nourishing food as those that are too poor to pay
their board; and in the dormitory these all have their cots next
to each other, and no distinction is made as to class or social
position. I had expected to meet with a good deal more of that
class distinction; it holds itself delightfully absent, at least from
school. I do meet with another kind of distinction which they
are prone to make, and that is the distinction of age; the smaller
boys are always the underdogs; they must cater to every wish
of the older boys and must always take the last place. At the
table in the dining hall, instead of letting the younger boys sit
next to me so that they would be more directly under my “watch-
fur* eye, they must find their place at the further end of the table,
and the older boys must have the “place of honor” next to
me. The older boys must be served first and they take the pick of
the pot; the small boys must be satisfied with the leftovers or
with less nourishing food. In the dormitory room, instead of
having the younger boys in that part of the room nearest to my
room, the older boys prefer that place and the younger ones are
shovel over to the far end of the room. Especially at first when

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