WINTER The winter settled in early that year, and with the passes of the hills blocked by snow, the caravans of laden camels which, in addition to merchandise of all sorts, brought news from the world to the east and the world to the west of mountain-clipped Kandahar, ceased to come into the big bazaar.

And the cold kept most people at home, or shivering beside the glowing braziers set outside the shops.

It was not the season for active work, and so Prince Askurry let it slip by without really making up his mind what he was to do with Baby Akbar.

Meanwhile the child could live in the bastion of the palace, and play with his little cousins.

Whether he was to be betrothed to Baby Amina or not could be decided in the spring; this was the time for rest and home comfort without fear of any disturbing, since none could cross the passes in winter.
Princess Sultanam, however, to whom in her seclusion winter and summer were much alike, grew fond of the little lad, and never ceased to urge on her husband the wisdom of so treating Prince Akbar, that should King Humayon by good luck--and he _had_ a knack of being lucky--find himself again with an army at his back, his hands would be tied from revenge on the Court at Kabul.
Now, Askurry was no fool; he saw that, for the present at any rate, until Humayon's fate was decided, it would be wiser to be kind; so he decided that when he held the New Year's assemblage he would present the little prince in due form to the chiefs and nobles.
Head-nurse was almost crazy with delight at the very idea.