But are there any more brothers in that family?"
"No more, O king," replied the officer, inwardly thanking the king for
the question. "There are but three brothers and one young sister."
"She will be a comfort to her mother in the absence of her sons," said
the king, in a thoughtful mood.
"But the young damsel has no mother. For many years the children have
been both fatherless and motherless."
"Then there must be bitter parting there, Barzello! This young damsel, an
only orphan sister, must be bound to her brothers by more than common
ties."
"True, O king," answered Barzello, somewhat animated. "The thought of
parting grieves them beyond description. It was but this morning that the
brothers sought an interview with me on this very point, and pleaded in
her behalf with such melting eloquence as well-nigh robbed me of all my
generalship. I dismissed them by stating that I would lay their petition
before my lord the king, and that I would give them his answer at the
setting of the sun.
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