"I suppose I ought to be grateful--although their intentions were not exactly--therapeutic--" "They tortured him," Ruth's voice was tense, bitter; she spoke in Persian--for Norhala's benefit I thought then, not guessing a deeper reason.

"They tortured him.

They gave him agony until he--returned.

And they promised him other agonies that would make him pray long for death.
"And me--me"-- she raised little clenched hands--"me they stripped like a slave.

They led me through the city and the people mocked me.