Ramases tried to make us lodge in
a vague looking building. We asked him if that were the best hotel. He
answered nonchalantly, "Nesnam" (don't know); so we hunted for
ourselves, discovering in the main square a blue house labelled "Hotel
Skodar" in large letters.
[Illustration]
CHAPTER XI
IPEK, DECHANI AND A HAREM
We entered the courtyard of the inn. Tiny as it was all Ipek seemed to
be plucking poultry in it. An urbane old woman came forward, evidently
the owner. She had short arms, and her hair grey at the roots was
stained with henna, which matched her eyes. A dog fancier once told us
never to buy a dog with light-coloured eyes if we wanted a trustful
loving nature, so we wondered if it applied to humans.
She showed us a tiny dungeon-like room entirely filled up by two beds.
We were not impressed; but she assured us that we should have a large
beautiful room the next day for the same price. So we engaged it and
strolled out into the evening.
Buffaloes were sitting in couples round the big square.
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