But my lord does not like his slave's stories." "Decidedly not," said I.
I have heard much of Ayesha, a pretty animal organism who appears to have turned her elderly husband into a doting fool.

I am beginning to have a contempt for Hamdi Effendi.
"They are what you call improper, eh ?" she laughed, referring to the tales.

"I will sing you a Turkish song which you will not understand." "Is it a suitable song ?" "Kim bilir--who knows ?" said Carlotta.
She began a melancholy, crooning, guttural ditty; but broke off suddenly.
"Oh! but it is stupid.

Like the Turkish dancing.

Oh, everything in Alexandretta was stupid! Sometimes I think I have never seen Alexandretta--or Ayesha--or Hamdi.