"
"Yes, he had one."
"Well, if we find it, we shall recognize the child. Put out the lamp." They
put it out. The child threw off its hood. They lighted the lamp again.
"Rejoice," cried the child, "I am your son!"
* * * * *
H'AB SLIMAN
A man had a boy and a girl. Their mother died and he took another wife. The
little boy stayed at school until evening. The school-master asked them:
"What do your sisters do?"
One answered, "She makes bread."
A second, "She goes to fetch water."
A third, "She prepares the _couscous_."
When he questioned H'ab Sliman, the child played deaf, the master struck
him. One day his sister said to him: "What is the matter, O my brother? You
seem to be sad."
"Our schoolmaster punishes us," answered the child.
"And why does he punish you?" inquired the young girl.
The child replied: "After we have studied until evening he asks each of us
what our sisters do. They answer him: she kneads bread, she goes to get
water. But when he questions me I have nothing to say, and he beats me.
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