How deliciously cool it is in here." She sat down upon a heap of cushions by one of the screened windows and contemplated Nehushta, who still stood by the fountain.
"You look sad--and tired, dearest Nehushta," said she presently.

"Indeed you must not be sad here--nobody is sad here!" "I am sad," repeated Nehushta, in a dreary, monotonous way, as though scarcely conscious of what she was saying.

There was a moment's silence before Atossa spoke again.
"Tell me what it is," she said at last, in persuasive accents.

"Tell me what is the matter.

It may be that you lack something--that you miss something you were used to in Ecbatana.