And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.
For therefore are ye come. No questions were asked. But Abraham knew their object by the course they took-approaching directly in front of the chief sheikh's tent, which is always distinguishable from the rest, and thus showing their wish to be his guests. The tents of a nomadic tribe are pitched sometimes in a straight line; more frequently in a semicircular form, so as to leave an open space in the center for baggage, and small cattle to be kept at night. A tent is called by the Arabs 'Beit-sha'ar', or 'the hair-house,' as it consists of a covering of goat's haircloth, either black, tawny, or dark brown, woven by the women. The piece of cloth used for this purpose is usually about fifty yards long, and from ten to twenty broad; and being divided into three portions of equal length, it is extended upon high poles perpendicularly stuck into the ground, so that two inner compartments are formed by each of the extremities falling to the ground, to which they are fastened by tent pins. The opposite sides are enclosed in the same way. An open space, formed by a part in one of the sides being allowed to hang loose and unattached to the ground, is left in front for the door or entrance. The inner, or enclosed division-the harem, appropriated to the wife and family-is accessible either through the cloth partition or from an opening behind; while in the open front space of the tent the host enjoys a cool retreat in the heat of the day, and receives his guests.