So Tufik went to an automobile school and stood by while some one drew pictures of parts of the engine on a blackboard, and took home lists of words that he translated into Arabic at the library, and learned everything but why and how the engine of an automobile goes.  He still thought—­at the end of two months—­that the driver did it with his foot!  But we were ignorant of all that.  He would drop round in the evenings, when Hannah was out or in bed, and tell us what “magneto” was in Arabic, and how he would soon be able to care for Tish’s car and would not take a cent for it, doing it at night when the taxicab was resting.

At the end of six weeks we bought him a chauffeur’s outfit.  The next day the sister arrived and Tufik brought her to Aggie’s, where we were waiting.  We had not told Hannah about the sister; she would not have understood.

Charlie Sands telephoned while we were waiting and asked if he might come over and help receive the girl.  We were to greet her and welcome her to America; then she was to go to the home of the Syrian with the large mustache.  Charlie Sands came in and shook hands all round, surveying each of us carefully.

“Strange!” he muttered.  “Curious is no name for it!  What do we know of the vagaries of the human mind?  Three minds and one obsession!” he said with the utmost gentleness.  “Three maiden ladies who have lived impeccable lives for far be it from me to say how many years; and now—­this!  Oh, Aunt Tish!  Dear Aunt Tish!”

He got out his handkerchief and wiped his eyes.  Tish was speechless with rage, but I rose to our defense.

“We don’t want to do it and you know it!” I said tartly.  “But when the Lord sends want and suffering to one’s very door—­”

“Want, with large brown eyes and a gentle voice!” he retorted.  “My dear ladies, it’s your money; and I dare say it costs you less than bridge at five cents a point, or the Gay White Way.  But, for Heaven’s sake, my respected but foolish virgins, why not an American that wants a real job?  Why let a sticky Oriental pull your legs—­”

“Charlie Sands!” cried Tish, rising in her wrath.  “I will not endure such vulgarity.  And when Tufik takes you out in a taxicab—­”

“God forbid!” said Charlie Sands, and sat down to wait for Tufik’s sister.

She did not look like Tufik and she was tired and dirty from the journey; but she had big brown eyes and masses of dark hair and she spoke not a single word of English.  Tufik’s joy was boundless; his soft eyes were snapping with excitement; and Aggie, who is sentimental, was obliged to go out and swallow half a glass of water without breathing to keep from crying.  Charlie Sands said nothing, but sat back in a corner and watched us all; and once he took out his notebook and made a memorandum of something.  He showed it to us later.

Tufik’s sister was the calmest of us all, I believe.  She sat on a stiff chair near the door and turned her brown eyes from one to the other.  Tish said that proper clothing would make her beautiful; and Aggie, disappearing for a few minutes, came back with her last summer’s foulard and a jet bonnet.  When the poor thing understood they were for her, she looked almost frightened, the thing being unexpected; and Tufik, in a paroxysm of delight, kissed all our hands and the girl on each cheek.