Phryne nodded to the girls and they tasted it as well. Mint tea, unlike champagne, met with general approval. The jingling girl then offered a tray of Oriental sweets. Phryne chose a piece of what she had known as an insipid and gluey sweet called Turkish 208Queen of Flowers - Pages 16/3/04 4:38 PM Page 209KERRY GREENWOODDelight. This was entirely different. She seemed to have a mouthful of rose petals and honey. The old man explained. ‘Not made with gelatin, but with the gum of the mastic tree—the merchants of Baghdad were selling mastic. Mine comes from the Greek island of Syros, where I hope to retire very soon. They probably do make the best rahat loukoum in the world, though they say so themselves.’‘Thank you very much,’ said Phryne. ‘I will remember your sweets—and your voice.’Professor Merckens bowed and passed on to another urgent congratulator. His show had definitely been a hit. Phryne gathered her maidens out the front, where their parents were to pick them up.
