Anazeh explained in an aside to me that only those would obey that rule who did not dare break it.
"Whoever makes laws should be strong enough to enforce them," he said sagely.

"And whoever obeys such a law is at the mercy of those who break it," he added presently, by way of afterthought.
To make sure that I understood him he repeated that remark three times.
Every house had its quota of visitors, who lounged in the doorways and eyed us with mixed insolence and curiosity.

There were coffee-booths all over the place that seemed to have been erected for the occasion, where, under awnings made of stick and straw, men sat with rifles on their knees.

Those who had provender to sell for horses were doing a roaring trade--short measure and high price; and the noise of grinding was incessant.
The women in the back streets were toiling to produce enough to eat for all that host of notables.
To have had to hunt for quarters in that town just then would have been no joke.

There was the mosque, of course, where any Moslem who finds himself stranded may theoretically go and sleep on a mat on the floor.