But as this attention grew more marked, a cloud slowly gathered in the far skies of his mind.
There was one person in the great assembly, however, who seemed to be unduly confident.

It was an ample, perspiring person in evening dress, who now and again mopped a prematurely bald head, and who said to himself, as Kaid talked to the reactionaries: "Say, Kald's overdoing it.

He's putting potted chicken on the butter.
But it's working all right-r-i-g-h-t.

It's worth the backsheesh!" At this moment Kaid fastened David with his look, and spoke in a tone so loud that people standing at some distance were startled.
"Claridge Pasha!" In the hush that followed David stepped forward.

"May the bounty of the years be thine, Saadat," Kaid said in a tone none could misunderstand.
"May no tree in thy orchard wither, Effendina," answered David in a firm voice.
Kaid beckoned him near, and again he spoke loudly: "I have proved thee, and found thee as gold tried seven times by the fire, Saadat.