CHAPTER FOUR 

Babalatchi saw Abdulla pass through the low and narrow entrance into the darkness of Omar's hut; heard them exchange the usual greetings and the distinguished visitor's grave voice asking: "There is no misfortune--please God--but the sight?" and then, becoming aware of the disapproving looks of the two Arabs who had accompanied Abdulla, he followed their example and fell back out of earshot. He did it unwillingly, although he did not ignore that what was going to happen in there was now absolutely beyond his control. He roamed irresolutely about for awhile, and at last wandered with careless steps towards the fire, which had been moved, from under the tree, close to the hut and a little to windward of its entrance. He squatted on his heels and began playing pensively with live embers, as was his habit when engrossed in thought, withdrawing his hand sharply and shaking it above his head when he burnt his fingers in a fit of deeper abstraction. Sitting there he could hear the murmur of the talk inside the hut, and he could distinguish the voices but not the words. Abdulla spoke in deep tones, and now and then this flowing monotone was interrupted by a querulous exclamation, a weak moan or a plaintive quaver of the old man. Yes. It was annoying not to be able to make out what they were saying, thought Babalatchi, as he sat gazing fixedly at the unsteady glow of the fire. But it will be right. All will be right. Abdulla inspired him with confidence. He came up fully to his expectation. From the very first moment when he set his eye on him he felt sure that this man--whom he had known by reputation only--was very resolute. Perhaps too resolute. Perhaps he would want to grasp too much later on. A shadow flitted over Babalatchi's face. On the eve of the accomplishment of his desires he felt the bitter taste of that drop of doubt which is mixed with the sweetness of every success.  QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. Did misfortune exist?
2. Was there misfortune to be found?
3. Was there an air of unluckiness?
Q2:
1. Who entered?
2. Who walked through the entrance?
3. Whose entrance was made?
Q3:
1. What did Abdulla enter into?
2. What did Abdulla go into?
3. What did Abdulla make his entrance into?
Q4:
1. Who did the hut belong to?
2. Who was the owner of the hut?
3. Whose hut did Abdulla walk into?
Q5:
1. Did the hut have a narrow entrance?
2. Was the entrance to the hut rather skinny?
3. Did the hut's entrance lack width?
Q6:
1. Who saw Abdulla?
2. Who was Abdulla spotted by?
3. Who noticed Abdulla?
Q7:
1. Who was Abdulla accompanied by?
2. Who was with Abdulla?
3. Who did Abdulla have in his company?
Q8:
1. What was the number of Arabs accopmanying Abdulla?
2. How many Arabs accompanied Abdulla?
3. HOw many Arabs did Abdulla have with him?
Q9:
1. Where did Abdulla roam towards?
2. What did Abdulla go towards?
3. What was Abdulla meandering in the direction of?
Q10:
1. Had the fire been moved?
2. Had the location of the fire been changed?
3. Did the fire move locations?
Q11:
1. Where was the fire moved from?
2. What was the original location of the fire?
3. What was the fire's location before it was moved?
Q12:
1. Where was the fire moved to?
2. What location was the fire taken to?
3. What was the fire's new location after being moved?
Q13:
1. What body part did Abdulla burn?
2. Where on Abdulla's body was he burned?
3. What part of Abdulla's body did the fire burn?
Q14:
1. What interrupted Abdulla?
2. What made Abdulla pause?
3. What was Abdulla cut off by?
Q15:
1. Who moaned in a feeble manner?
2. Who gave out a feeble noise?
3. Who rattled out a weak noise?
