SPEAKING WITH THE FINGERS AND TOES.
PEOPLE in the East, when in their houses, do not wear sandals, consequently their feet and toes are exposed. When guests wish to speak with each other so as not to be observed by the host, they convey their meaning by the feet and toes. Does a person wish to leave a room in company with another, he lifts up one of his feet; and should the other refuse, he also lifts up a foot and then suddenly puts it down on the ground. When merchants wish to make a bargain in the presence of others without making known their terms, they sit on the ground, have a piece of cloth thrown over the lap, and then put each a hand under, and thus speak with the fingers. So we read in Prov. 6:13, "He speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers." Nothing is more common to-day in the East, on parting, than to express mutual good will by putting the forefinger of the right hand parallel to that of the left, and then rapidly rubbing them together, the opposite party doing the same, and repeating the words "right, right," or, in common acceptation, "together, together." It is in this manner that persons express their consent on all occasions, on conducting a bargain, on engaging to bear one another company, and on every kind of friendly agreement or good understanding. This passage may also serve to explain the phrase, "Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth." Matt. 6:3. So much is said in the Old Testament of speaking with the eyes, hands, and even feet, that it is scarcely understood by most readers. They should see the expression and numerous gesticulations of foreigners when they converse; many a question is answered, and many a significant remark conveyed, even by children, who learn this language even sooner than their mother tongue. Perhaps the expression of Solomon, that the wicked man "speaketh with his feet," may appear more natural when it is considered that the mode of sitting on the ground in the East brings the feet into view nearly in the same direct line as the hands, the whole body crouching down together, and the hands, in fact, resting upon the feet. It is remarkable to what excellent uses the toes are applied in the East. They are often called the feet fingers. In his own house a Hindu makes use of them to fasten the clogs to his feet by means of a button, which slips between the two middle toes. The tailor twists his thread with them. The cook holds his knife with his toes while he cuts fish, vegetables, and other things. Everyone, indeed, finds a score of different uses for the toes. When a man follows another in the path so closely as almost to touch the feet of him who goes before, it is said "his feet hath laid hold of his steps," intimating that the men are so near to each other that the feet of him who follows, like unto the fingers of a man's hands, seize the feet of him who goes before. The figure is no doubt taken from the great adroitness that the natives of the East have in taking hold of anything with their toes. If a man is walking along the road, and he sees something upon the ground which he wishes to pick up, he does not stoop down, as an American would do, but he at once picks it up with his toes.—Christian Work.