The Jews were left in the front hall under the care of the slaves , and Neangir and Sumi followed the Bassa inside the house , which was magnificently furnished . At one end of a large , brilliantly-lighted room a lady of about thirty-five years old reclined on a couch , still beautiful in spite of the sad expression of her face . ` Incomparable Zambac , ' said the Bassa , going up to her , ` give me your thanks , for here is the lost son for whom you have shed so many tears , ' but before his mother could clasp him in her arms Neangir had flung himself at her feet . ` Let the whole house rejoice with me , ' continued the Bassa , ` and let my two sons Ibrahim and Hassan be told , that they may embrace their brother . ' ` Alas ! my lord ! ' said Zambac , ` do you forget that this is the hour when Hassan weeps on his hand , and Ibrahim gathers up his coral beads ? ' ` Let the command of the prophet be obeyed , ' replied the Bassa ; ` then we will wait till the evening . ' ` Forgive me , noble lord , ' interrupted Sumi , ` but what is this mystery ? With the help of the Book of Spells perhaps I may be of some use in the matter . ' ` Sumi , ' answered the Bassa , ' I owe you already the happiness of my life ; come with me then , and the sight of my unhappy sons will tell you of our trouble better than any words of mine . ' The Bassa rose from his divan and drew aside the hangings leading to a large hall , closely followed by Neangir and Sumi . There they saw two young men , one about seventeen , and the other nineteen years of age . The younger was seated before a table , his forehead resting on his right hand , which he was watering with his tears . He raised his head for a moment when his father entered , and Neangir and Sumi both saw that this hand was of ebony . The other young man was occupied busily in collecting coral beads which were scattered all over the floor of the room , and as he picked them up he placed them on the same table where his brother was sitting . He had already gathered together ninety-eight beads , and thought they were all there , when they suddenly rolled off the table and he had to begin his work over again . ` Do you see , ' whispered the Bassa , ` for three hours daily one collects these coral beads , and for the same space of time the other laments over his hand which has become black , and I am wholly ignorant what is the cause of either misfortune . ' ` Do not let us stay here , ' said Sumi , ` our presence must add to their grief . But permit me to fetch the Book of Spells , which I feel sure will tell us not only the cause of their malady but also its cure . '
The Bassa readily agreed to Sumi 's proposal , but XXXXX objected strongly .
Bassa Hassan Ibrahim Neangir Sumi Zambac evening hangings right years