Kerman

“ A traveller has stated that it was easier to get a mann (61⁄2 ℔) of saffron at Kerman than a mann of barley for his horse, and in 1879 Sir A. Houtum-Schindler was ordered by the authorities to curtail his excursions in the province “because his horses and mules ate up all the stock.” Kerman manufactures great quantities of carpets and felts, and its carpets are almost unsurpassed for richness of texture and durability. The old name of the city was Guvashir. Adjoining the city on hills rising 400 to 500 ft. ”

“ In 1794 the city was almost entirely destroyed by Agha Mohammed Khan, who later demanded twenty thousand pairs of human eyes before he would withdraw [284] his troops. Kerman never recovered from this terrible blow, and to-day is a byword for its poverty and beggars. There is a quaint saying among its beggars ”

“ In summer the heat of this country is quite outrageous, and the inhabitants betake themselves to their summer houses, which are built in the waters. From nine o'clock in the morning till noon, there blows a wind, with such extreme heat, from the sands, that it is quite stifling and insufferable, and during this time the people sit in the water. The king of Kerman once sent an array of 5000 foot and 1600 horse against the king of Ormus, to compel the payment of tribute, when the whole army was stifled by that wind. The inhabitants of Ormus eat no flesh, or bread made of corn ”

“ Rather do thou send one of thine officers with them into the desert and let him kill them there, out of thy sight, for, as says the adage, “When the eye sees not, the heart grieves not.”’ Kemerezzeman saw his father-in-law’s words to be just, so he sheathed his sword and turning back, sat down upon his throne and called his treasurer, a very old man, versed in affairs and in the shifts of fortune, to whom he said, ‘Go in to my sons Amjed and Asaad; bind fast their hands behind them and lay them in two chests and set them on a mule. ”

“ She could not help thinking that her uncle Nupley had died in the nick of time to avoid bankruptcy.
It is worth recording that Carmel did not weep a tear of disappointment, nor feel an impulse to walk out of the place and go the thousand miles back to Michigan to take the job of teaching English in the [17] home high school. No. The only emotion Carmel felt was anger. Her eyes actually glinted, and a red spot made its appearance upon each cheek. She had arrived in Gibeon with a glowing illusion packed in her trunk; unkind fact had snatched it away and replaced it with clammy reality. ”

“ These country nobles used to enjoy certain privileges which enabled them to live rather better than the general mass of peasants, but these gradually faded away, and Kermelle was in a very embarrassed condition. He could not well work in the fields, and he kept in doors all day, having an occupation which could be followed under cover. When flax has ripened, it is put through a process of decortication, which leaves only the textile fibre, and this was the work which poor old Kermelle thought that he could do without loss of dignity. ”

“ Musti felt much as Kerttu did. He no longer growled for Kerttu had told him not to, but he drooped his tail between his legs and, pressing up close to Kerttu, he trembled with fright. And well he might, too, for the old hag was none other than Suyettar who had been waiting all these years just for this very chance to do further injury to Kerttu and her brothers.
Kerttu, poor child, was, alas! too good and innocent to suspect evil in others. ”

“ When Kehrdash saw his feats of arms, he knew that he was stout of heart and concluded that he was the phœnix of the champions and heroes of the age: so he feared death and said to Kanmakan, “I give thee thy life and pardon thee the blood of my comrades, for I have compassion on thee by reason of thy fair youth. So take what thou wilt of the cattle and go thy ways, for life is better for thee [than death] .” “Thou lackest not of the generosity of the noble,” [7] replied Kanmakan; “but leave this talk and flee for thy life and reck not of blame nor think to get back the booty ”

“ He laughed again. "All the world will use it!" he said, patting him on the back. "It is a great discovery. Play more."
The boy turned obediently to the keys, and while he played, the master slipped away. "Come down," he whispered to Kerlman, whose fat bulk filled the doorway. "Let us come down and get some beer. I am very dry this day."
Over their mugs, in the garden across the way, they looked at each other solemnly. Then they threw back their big heads and laughed till their sides shook and their wigs stood askew. Kerlman laid his fat thumb on the table and regarded [59] it respectfully. ”

“ A man of thirty-seven, Kerensky is about five feet eight in height. He has thick brown hair, which bristles in pompadour all over his finely shaped head. His myopic eyes are blue, or grey, according to his mood. You see those eyes in Russia, deep, beautiful blue at times, steel grey at others. Kerensky’s eyes look straight at you and give you confidence in his candor. Sometimes when he is suffering physically the eyes seem to sink in his head and lose all their brightness. When he is tired or discouraged they burn like somber fires. ”

“ They had to find people in whose care they could leave children and castles. But many foolish folk who knew nothing at all of what it meant to go on foot to the Holy Land, or to fight the fierce Turkish soldiers, and who had nothing to leave behind, crowded round Peter and begged him to wait for no one, but to lead them at once to the Holy City. Peter knew nothing of war, and although he did know something of the danger of the journey, he did not think how much more hard it would [Pg 16] be to find food for a thousand people than for one. ”

“ So Van Mitten, without another word, though still but half awake, shook his companion vigorously.
None can sleep more soundly than a Turk, when the Turk has a good digestion and an easy conscience. This was the case with Kéraban, and many attempts were made to rouse him.
Kéraban, without opening his eyes, grumbled and growled like a man who was by no means disposed to stir. Had he been as headstrong in his sleeping as when waking, they would have been obliged to let him alone.
Nevertheless, the persistence of Van Mitten and Bruno was such that Seigneur Kéraban was awakened. ”

“ Is it likely that I should slide along 'rails, when I can drive on a road?"
"When time presses, uncle—"
"Ahmet, look me in the face, and listen to me. If there are no carriages, I will go in a cart. If there is no cart, I will ride; if I cannot get a horse, I will hire a donkey. If there are no donkeys, I will walk; and, when I cannot walk, I will crawl; and, when I can no longer crawl, I—"
"For goodness’ sake, stop!" cried Van Mitten.
"When I cannot crawl on hands and knees, I will drag myself along on my stomach," said Kéraban in conclusion—"yes, on my stomach!" ”

“ One did not question one’s companions too closely in this house of the mutations.
“You’ve been with us two years, Kern,” she was saying now. “Only two years. You don’t know yet how strong we are, or how much we can accomplish among us. Bruce Hallam knows what he’s doing, Kern. He never works on theories. Or if he does, the theories become truth. He has a mind like that. You don’t know us, Kern!” ”

“ I can scarcely endure the thought of Kervyn ending that way—such a man—my friend——"
His voice seemed hoarse and he got up abruptly and walked to the window.
Ashes of roses lingered in the west; the forest was calm; not a leaf stirred in the lilac-tinted dusk.
Karen, who had been listening, stirred in the depths of her chair and clasped her fingers over her sewing.
Mrs. Courland said quietly:
"It is pleasant for any woman to have known such a man as Mr. Guild."
"Yes," said Karen. ”

“ None of the young men in the village would have dreamt of taking a liberty with her, so much was her father respected. The feeling of her superiority prevented her from forming any acquaintance with the young peasants, and they never thought of paying their addresses to her. The poor girl lived, therefore, in a state of absolute solitude, for the only other inhabitant of the house was a lad of twelve or thirteen, a nephew, whom Kermelle had taken under his care and to whom the priest, a good man if ever there was one, taught what little Latin he knew himself. ”

“ Have I not told you I have no horses?" replied the post-master.
"We'll find some."
"There are none in Arabat."
"Find a pair—find one," replied Kéraban, who began to lose his self-control; "find half a one, but find something."
"But if there are no horses—" began Van Mitten gently.
"There must be some found."
"Perhaps you can procure for us a team of mules?" said Ahmet to the post-master.
"Very well, mules will do," said Kéraban. "We will be content with mules."
"I have never seen any mules in the province," replied the post-master. ”

“ Kerwin slung the satchel over his shoulder. "Am I all right?" he asked.
Norse stepped back and regarded him curiously, a little smile playing around his mouth. Kerwin's face was very grimy. It looked almost black in the shadow above the white shirt-bosom, and there were three or four unmistakable smudges on that. Moreover it was a cold night for a man to skate three or four miles in evening clothes.
"My! You look funny!" Norse laughed. "But what's the difference?" he added. "Come on...."
Taking him by the arm he steadied him down the creaking stairs. ”

“ Kone offered to visit him at Port Moresby. Tamate was amused. He thought it was only in order to get tobacco and tomahawks and beads that Kone meant to come. Kone did wish to get these things, but the thought of peace had got into his mind, and he had begun to love his new friend greatly too.
Mr. Chalmers wished to place a teacher in the village of Delena, where Kone’s home was. So he stayed there for some time to [Pg 68] take charge of the building of a house and to prepare for a school. ”

“ Kerwin replied. "I told him he'd better look out they don't try to do him up."
"You'd better keep your own eye peeled," was suggested by a little fellow on the outer edge of the crescent. "They're sore clear through—turned down for ten years running. Better stay in nights, [Pg 71] or you'll show up at the banquet with no hair or an iodine-face, if you even show up at all——"
"Don't you believe it!" Kerwin exclaimed, with rare bravado. "Norse said he'd help me if they get funny. He's a husky guy; did you get a good look at him, fellows? I'm not worrying about the independents any ”

“ Yonder steed under thee is what I am seeking and I call upon thee to tell me how thou camest by it." "Know," replied Kanmakan, "that this steed was being carried to my uncle King Sasan in the company of a certain old woman, attended by ten slaves, when thou fellest upon her and tookest the horse from her; and I have a debt of blood against this old woman for the sake of my grandfather King Omar ben Ennuman and my uncle King Sherkan." "Out on thee!" said Kehrdash. "Who is thy father, O thou that hast no (known) mother?" ”

“ But Kéraban returned as he was at the door, and said, addressing the banker,—
"By the way, friend Selim, can you change me a few thousand piastres?"
"A few thousand piastres!" echoed Selim, who did not understand.
"Yes, Selim; for Russian money: I want some for my journey in Muscovite territory."
"But, uncle, will you tell us," began Ahmet, who was standing now beside Amasia,—"will you tell us—"
"At what rate is the exchange?" continued Kéraban, without paying any attention to Ahmet.
"Three and a half per cent.," replied Selim, in whom the banker at once predominated. ”

“ Then, addressing Selim, Kéraban continued,—
"My friend Van Mitten, my correspondent at Rotterdam, whom I am bringing to dine with me at Scutari."
"At Scutari!" exclaimed the banker.
"It seems so," said Van Mitten.
"And Bruno his servant," continued Kéraban; "a brave follower who does not wish to be separated from his master."
"It seems so," said Bruno, like an echo.
"Now, let us be off," said the impetuous Turk.
"If it must be so, uncle," said Ahmet, "we will not endeavour to detain you. ”

“ Don't you fellows lie awake nights worrying about little Willie. He's old enough to sit up and take notice."
And the crescent in front of the table broke.
It was gratitude simply that prompted Kerwin to take Norse to Ypsilanti one evening during the week following and make him known to a Miss Myrtle Green of the normal school. It was obvious to Kerwin that Norse's ignorance of girls was not due to any disinclination on his part to abolish that state. Indeed he seemed to hunger for knowledge on the subject. As for Miss Green she seemed quite willing to instruct him. He became a regular caller. ”

“ From the summit an extensive view is to be had over the bay of Kertsch. In the south the extreme end of the promontory is visible. Towards the east the two tongues of land which enclose the bay of Taman are evident, beyond the strait of Yenikale. The clear atmosphere permitted all the features of the country to be seen, and even the khourghans or ancient tombs with which the province is studded were visible, even to the smallest.
When Ahmet thought that time was up, he led Van Mitten down into the market-place again by a monumental staircase ornamented with balustrades. ”

“ But she hadn't proved it and the simplest way was just to ask Kerr. Her chance for that was the chance he had fought so hard for, the chance of their meeting the next day.
She hadn't wanted that meeting when he had first asked her for it in the box. She had feared it then, and all the more she feared it now, because now she would have to do more than defend herself. She would take the offensive; she would make the attack, now that she had a question to ask. Why should the thought of it frighten her? If this was not the Crew sapphire she would be no worse off than she had been. ”