"I don't know, Carr. I can't seem to think. But when they fastened it on me, I was so frightened, I just flew. Why, just think, every one at Garden Steps was suspicious of me! I could see it even in the servants' eyes. I couldn't stand it, and I was afraid----" "Yes, dear, go on,----" "Well, I was afraid Mr. Stone would think so, and I couldn't bear that, so I just ran off on impulse. I regretted it lots of times on the trip over,--and then at other times I was glad I came. Are you glad?" "Sure, Polly. I wanted you to stick to your plan of coming over, you know. Yes, I'm glad you're here. Now, we'll soon be in Cairo, and you'll love it,--all the strange sights and experiences. You'll live at Shepheard's for the present. I've engaged a chaperon for you." "How thoughtful you are, Carr." "Oh, of course, a beautiful young woman can't live alone in Cairo, and also of course, you couldn't live with me. So, Mrs. MacDonald will look after you, but she won't in any way bother you. Whenever you need a duenna, she'll be right at your elbow, and when you don't want her about, she is self-effacing. You'll like her, too, she's not half-bad as a companion." At Cairo, Ahri handed them from the train. Again Polly was impressed with the Arab's dignified bearing and rich costume. His long galabeah, shaped like a well-fitting bathrobe, was of white corded silk, exquisitely embroidered. Collarless, it gave glimpses of other silken vestments, and over it he wore a correct English topcoat, short and velvet-trimmed. From his tarbush to his English shoes and silk hose, he was perfectly garbed and groomed, while the scarab ring on his little finger was the only bit of jewelry visible. "That's nothing," laughed Loria, following her glance. "Wait till you see him in all the glory of his burnoose and other contraptions. Here, Ahri, take this duffel, too. And, now, Polly-pops, you'll see Cairo." The ride to the hotel was like a moving picture in color. The street crowds were rushing by, a flare of bright-hued raiment and dark-skinned faces. Everywhere, baubles were for sale. Street vendors carried them on their heads, in their arms, or thrust them forth with eager hands. Post-cards, jewelry, scarfs, and fans. Fly-whisks with dangling beads. Embroideries, carved ivories, brasses, sweetmeats, fruits and newspapers, all were successively and collectively offered for immediate, almost compulsory sale. "And I want to buy every one!" declared Pauline, entranced at the sight of the catch-penny toys. "All in good time, honey. To-morrow, Ahri shall take you to the bazaars, with or without Mrs. MacDonald, as you choose, and you can get a bushel of foolishness if you want to. Everybody has to cure that first mad desire to buy rubbish, by yielding to it. You soon get enough." "Then I may go alone with Ahri to the shops?"