A magnificent automobile pulled up in front of the station right on time, and the beautiful face peered out of the window. His heart pounded and he hastened toward her. A door was opened for him and he took his place. Only then did he realize that Tahiya had come alone. He was amazed by that, but his amazement did not last long, because an all-encompassing delight overwhelmed him. Even so he asked with mock disapproval, “Where’s Fadil Bey?” The girl ordered the chauffeur to drive on. Then she turned to Mahgub and said in a critical tone, “We set out together, but on the way he saw ‘some people’ and renounced the trip, leaving me to make his apologies to you.” Mahgub looked down to hide his delight. He asked politely, “How are your excellent parents?” “Praise God … they thank you for this lovely excursion.” “It’s nothing, really.” In an expectant voice she said, “We’ll see amazing things, isn’t that so?” Although he was going there for the first time, he assured her, “Absolutely.”
