But it was a moment of bitterness to Linforth.

He looked at Shere Ali's indifferent face, he listened for a second or two to the tune he still hummed, and he turned away.

But he had not taken more than a couple of steps towards the entrance of the balcony when his guide touched him cautiously upon the elbow.
Linforth stopped and looked back.

The three men were once more gazing at the steps which led down from the road to the well.

And once more a water-carrier descended with his great earthen jar upon his head.