Solomon or Shebaf 



that went on below. Had we been servants and 

 not slaves, we should have told our mistress she 

 was "nosey" and have promptly taken leave. 



Moreover, she had a daintiness about her per- 

 son that would in Solomon have been offensive, 

 and have marked him as a dude. On a rainy 

 day she would go over her whole raiment until 

 she was quite sure that it was free from blemish 

 and that every feather was in place. Her azure 

 mantle must fit sleek to show the curves of her 

 trim figure. Her train must be spread out until 

 it hung in proper folds. Since her subjects were 

 dowdy even in their court dress, she herself must 

 be the quintessence of finery and of good style. 



In odd contrast were her moments, sometimes 

 weak and sometimes wanton, when she simply 

 must be fondled and caressed. Such moods 

 would have come to Solomon when the affairs 

 of state were over and when legitimately he 

 might seek affection as a mental rest. But they 

 came at any time to Sheba as they come to every 

 woman. No use to teU her that at office hours 

 her demonstrations were unseemly, hampering, 

 ridiculously out of place. As little to impress 

 [121] 



