consent is not given until the young man's people wear their shoes by paying calls until the soles are as thin as the thin layer of an onion." The negotiations have all the while to be delicately managed. A slight error of judgment or action may shatter all hope of effecting an alliance.
In the end, if all goes well, the young man is accepted by the girl's parents in their daughter's nominal Ghulāmi (slavery). Then a day is arranged when the members of the young man's family will attend at the home of the prospective bride the ceremony of Qand Shikini — a name derived from Persian Qand, loaf sugar in cones, and Shikini, the action of breaking. This sugar-breaking ceremony is the Betrothal ceremony.
The mother of the girl invites near relatives to the house, and these and the near relatives of the young man arrive with gifts, which are carried in trays by servants who march in procession perhaps with a band. The youths of the party fire guns, and the procession thus arrives in great style. Round the girl's house the trees are hung with lanterns and ornaments. Inside Persian carpets are spread, and on these are great cushions on which the guests are to recline. A Mahfil is held while the guests arrive, Mahfil signifying a scene of mirth and song.
The greetings are warm and delightful. "Khush Amadi," they say, "Manda Nabashi," that is "Happy your coming,', and "We hope you are not weary."
The ladies join the Mahfil, and if the weather is warm Sharbat is brought in crystal jars and served in crystal tumblers. In winter, green tea is handed round.
In time all retire. Then there is a formal re-entry into the hall. Women are veiled and the men come in. Then a grandfather stands up and takes from each tray the gifts, announcing what they are and who has presented them. Then the father of the young man comes from a corner holding a tray over his head. This tray is covered with red silk embroidered with gold. He places it at the
