Also the Princess opposite was anxious to learn what food noble people ate in the East, and how it was cooked and how they sat at table, and what was the furniture of their rooms and did women attend feasts as in Egypt, and so forth.

So it came about that what between these things and eating and drinking, which, being well-nigh starved, I was obliged to do, for, save a cup of wine, I had taken nothing in my mother's house, I found little chance of talking with the lovely Amada, although I knew that all the while she was studying me out of the corners of her large eyes.

Or perhaps it was the rose-hued pearls she studied, I was not sure.
Only one thing did she say to me when there was a little pause while the cup went round, and she pledged me according to custom and passed it on.
It was, "You look well, Shabaka, though somewhat tired, but sadder than you used, I think." "Perhaps because I have seen things to sadden me, Amada.

But you too look well but somewhat lovelier than you used, I think, if that be possible." She smiled and blushed as she replied, "The Eastern ladies have taught you how to say pretty things.

But you should not waste them upon me who have done with women's vanities and have given myself to learning and--religion." "Have learning and religion no vanities of their own ?" I began, when suddenly the Prince gave a signal to end the feast.
Thereon all the lower part of the hall went away and the little tables at which we ate were removed by servants, leaving us only wine-cups in our hands which a butler filled from time to time, mixing the wine with water.