"I have done with my people.

I am a man without brothers.

Injustice destroys fidelity." Abdulla expressed his surprise by elevating his eyebrows.

At the same time he made a vague gesture with his arm that could be taken as an equivalent of an approving and conciliating "just so!" Till then the Arab had not taken any notice of Aissa, who stood by the fire, but now she spoke in the interval of silence following Willems' declaration.

In a voice that was much deadened by her wrappings she addressed Abdulla in a few words of greeting, calling him a kinsman.
Abdulla glanced at her swiftly for a second, and then, with perfect good breeding, fixed his eyes on the ground.