And it was fair, therefore, to presume that in his Petra fastness the robber chief would be feeling confident, and would be that much more difficult to bluff.
But it is one advantage of that land that you may be deliberate without causing impatience or losing respect.

Rather the contrary; the Arab values your decisions all the more for being reached after several minutes of silent thought.
Neither our own gang nor the prisoner was in the least disturbed by Grim's taking his time, and only Narayan Singh, still postponing his sleep, was anxious when Ayisha leaned her head close to Grim's and whispered.

Grim did not nod or shake his head or make any recognition of her presence--for a real Arab would not have dreamed of doing so--but it was she who gave him the right suggestion, although her intention was totally different from his.
"You lie," he said suddenly.
"Allah!" "There is an army making ready now to march on Petra." "As Allah is my witness, there is no such thing." "You shall return to Petra." "But Your Honor knows I am in great haste.

My own small affairs at Jaffa, God knows, have been neglected.

How shall I spare time to return to Petra ?" "And there you shall reverse your story." "Allah!" "You shall tell the very numbers and equipment of the army that makes ready." "May He who never sleeps preserve me! Am I mad, or dreaming?
In Petra I have told Your Honor a true tale; shall I return to Petra in order to tell you a lie?
O Lord of the limits of the desert, listen to me! I have property in Jaffa; I must attend to it." "I know you have.