Meriem noticed the look of almost shocked surprise that crossed
his face. The Sheik saw it too, and guessed the cause of it.
"I have no ivory," he repeated. "I do not wish to trade. Go away.
Go now."
He stepped from his tent and almost pushed the strangers about
in the direction of the gates. They demurred, and then The Sheik
threatened. It would have been suicide to have disobeyed, so the
two men turned and left the village, making their way immediately
to their own camp.
The Sheik returned to his tent; but he did not enter it. Instead
he walked to the side where little Meriem lay close to the goat
skin wall, very frightened. The Sheik stooped and clutched her by
the arm. Viciously he jerked her to her feet, dragged her to the
entrance of the tent, and shoved her viciously within. Following
her he again seized her, beating her ruthlessly.
"Stay within!" he growled. "Never let the strangers see thy face.
Next time you show yourself to strangers I shall kill you!"
With a final vicious cuff he knocked the child into a far corner of
the tent, where she lay stifling her moans, while The Sheik paced
to and fro muttering to himself.
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