And yet there was something in it that made me want itdone properly.
Really, the monastic state must havebeen like going to prison for him. He paused a moment, and looked round cautiously. But I think most middle-class, most so-callededucated people are inferior to the peasant. But do you call the monastery going back? Don Bernardo had a telephone messagefrom the town below, that the carabinier!
I havent even anything to buy a cigarette or a stamp. Dont you think yourself that you are superior to that peasant?
Always in his grey overcoat, andin whispers: me in the big black overcoat, millionairish.
If you settle with Melenga, I will pay your bill atthe San Domenico, but I cant do any more.
Ten minutes after DonBernardo had the message I was running down the hill.
Well, my experience hasbeen the opposite.
Yet, round and roundabout all the questions, he was so intelligent and sensitive.
He asked again if he could come in the afternoon: I said Iwas going out. But here, on the mountain top was worst: Thepast, the poignancy of the not-quite-dead past. To see trains come steaming, with white smoke flying.
Well, into this lyricism suddenly crept the serpent.
Do you believe in the democratic lowerclasses? If he sees them,theres an end to me at the monastery.
And it was roughly cooked, even if itwas quite wholesome.
We had an engagement to lunch that morning. Well, I thought, he said, you know all those manuscripts of mine?
If I can be so fortunate, I do really, he said. The beautiful, the wonderfulpast, it seems to prey on my heart, I cant bear it. Of this two hundred I had onehundred left or one hundred and twenty-five. I shouldnt have come to Taormina at all, save for you. Your nature is worldly, more worldly than mine. The San Domenico being then the most expensive hotel here, I thoughthe must have money.
No Arab ever impugned his judgements, or questioned hiswisdom and competence in tribal business. Arslan baked bread, and we restedfor two hours.
SO ON RECOVERY I DID LITTLE TO THE RAILWAY, BUT WENT BACK TO WEJH WITHNOVEL IDEAS.
Immediately beneath us were the Ageyl, an irregular close group oftents. They rushedhis tent, howling and shooting, threw his things about and beat hisservants.
CHAPTER XXXFakhri Pasha was still playing our game. In short, he had fallen back on as stupid adefensive as could be conceived.
The Arab movement had now noopponent in Western Arabia, and had passed beyond danger of collapse. Togain it he had killed two of his brothers. The third Sakhara,which stood a little apart, was the bubble rock which had roused mycuriosity.
At least no revenge could lie against my followers; for I was astranger and kinless.
We then crossed the valley to a great branchopposite our entry.
Feisal had toaccept him on his own responsibility.
To me an unnecessary action, or shot, orcasualty, was not only waste but sin. In the morning, early, we marched in a straggle for three hours downWadi Hamdh. The great pool had shrunk little in the twomonths, but was noticeably more salt.
King Hussein, however, would not have it. The others supported them; and I tried vainly to talk the gentleAli round. Nasir supported him as second in command, and the Beidawi brothers satby to help. He showed himself worthy of this achievement.
The others supported them; and I tried vainly to talk the gentleAli round.
Mohammed was a tubby, vulgar little man offifty-five, common-sensible and energetic.
The Navy added greatly to our interests in Wejh. Had they escaped, it would nothave mattered the value of an Arab life.
Our main difficulty was the landing of stores. No Arab ever impugned his judgements, or questioned hiswisdom and competence in tribal business.
CHAPTER XXIXLife in Wejh was interesting. He led his clansmen of the Juheina past the Emirat a canter, to make a show. Beyond them the circle of Arabian well-wishers was nowstrangely increased.
