Explore "Al-Wukalá, or "the Lawyers"" by Hilaire Belloc on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
When the nephews next entered their uncle's presence at the hour of public executions, it was in a subdued manner, as to a funeral, for their thoughts were full of that great loss, the story of which was in progress. They sat upon the floor before him in due order, and Mahmoud began:
"Upon the dawn that followed that hopeless night, my hopes were again raised, only for my further bitterness and disappointment. I had risen before day and gone out of doors. A chance acquaintance ran across me as I paced aimlessly in the narrow streets of the city, watching the shadows shortening under the rising sun, listening to the clear voices of the water-sellers and to the cries of the mariners at their calling.