Tell me this, Princess Ayisha: how came Ali Higg to trust you, alone with four men, on such a long and difficult journey ?" "Is he not my lord ?" "But the men ?" "Is he not also their lord?
And he holds their wives and sons in trust at Petra." "You'll admit it's unusual ?" "Do you find it strange that a woman should be faithful to her lord ?" "But to Ali Higg?
He has a name--a reputation! How many wives has he ?" "The Koran permits but four.

The others are not wives." "And you're going back ?" _"Inshallah."_ [If God is willing.] It was obvious that no alternative would have the least appeal for her.
"Well, your movements have all been known to me.

Your men have been watched.

The word from Jerusalem is that the two you sent there have made their purchases.

I heard over the telephone that they are on their way here.