You are too modest. Mountaineers and fighting men!
Look, Wales is not exactly like the Caucasus-
Too modest, too modest! But then, you dont have to assert yourselves like us. We are only a small country.
Wales, actually, is not that large.
A small country too! The old man almost rubbed his hands. Then there are affinities between us. Language? Now what is your language?
Welsh. Look-
A separate language? Distinct?
Yes, but-
Threatened? the old man said significantly.
Well, yes, theres a danger of it dying out-
The old man sat back.
Perhaps this is the answer to our prayers, he said.
I dont quite-
So many things in common. Perhaps we could stretch a point: Mingrelians and neighbouring countries.
Neighbouring? Theyre about a million miles apart.
I was talking spiritually. Neighbouring in spirit. Its reasonable. Sometimes we used to go out and capture a woman from a neighbouring tribe and there was never any difficulty about that. She soon became assimilated. Of course, that was a man taking a woman. It would be different if it was a woman taking a man. Of course, times are different now. More liberated. I see no reason why a woman shouldnt take a husband from a neighbouring tribe, neighbouring spiritually, I mean-
Grandfather! said Katarina, scandalized. She took him by the arm. Come on! she said. Its time you went up for your nap!
Yes, yes. He stood up shakily. Owen realized that he was far older than he appeared. I accept your apology, he said suddenly.
Thank you. I can only repeat-
But Im not withdrawing the complaint.
Not withdrawing the complaint? But-
We have to stand up for ourselves. Even against our friends. We must not back down.
But surely an apology-
No. I feel half inclined, I must say, to accept it from the Welsh but not from the English, but that would hardly be fair. Anyway, what does it matter? What is a complaint? In Egypt?
Well, we dont like to leave complaints unanswered-
Think nothing of it. Now that you have apologized, we shall not take military action.
Thank you. But couldnt you withdraw your complaint as well? The fact is, well, there was another complaint too, and its a bit awkward-
Another complaint?
Yes, from the Russian Charge, actually, and were a bit afraid there might be international-
Russian? Did you say Russian? The soldiers insulted him as well?
Well, yes, Im afraid so-
Brave men! Magnificent men! There, what did I tell you? he said fiercely, snatching his arm from Katarinas hold. Men of spirit! God, thats the way to treat the Russians! Our allies! Didnt I tell you they were our natural allies? God, if only I was young again-
Katarina dragged him towards the door.
Complaint? he shouted over his shoulder. No complaint at all. Far from it! The Russians? Oh, no complaint at all!
Chapter 3
'Its an affront! said the Charge.
Which we deeply regret, said Paul, and shall do something about.
Have already done something about, supplemented Owen. Paul had asked for support in his grovel and Owen had agreed to accompany him.
I am glad to hear it, said the Charge. The men have been flogged?
Well, not exactly-
Yet, said Owen quickly. There are a few processes to go through first.
A military court, you mean? Well, there is something to be said for letting criminals experience the full majesty of the law. It inculcates respect for authority.
Quite so.
All the same, said the Charge, the sooner they are flogged, the better. Its like a dog. The longer the gap between crime and punishment the harder it is for the creature to understand. Soldiers are animals and should be treated as such.
Well, yes, but-
Believe me. I was in the Army myself, the Russian Army, that is. I know. Theyre all peasants, you see, and as stupid as oxes. The only way you can drive anything into their thick heads is with the whip. Even then its difficult. Being peasants, theyre used to it. They dont feel it as we would. Its got to follow sharply after the event. And no half measures, either! How many lashes?
How many-?
Id advise at least sixty. Some say forty, but I think youve got to allow for the sun-
The sun?
Hardens the skin. They dont feel it as much. No, in my view sixty should be standard. Of course, in a case as serious as this the standard is hardly good enough. No, on second thoughts it should be more. Eighty, perhaps. A hundred for the ringleaders.
Well bear your advice in mind.
Do. Do. Glad to share my experience with you. Youll let them drink, of course?
Well, I rather think theyve been doing too much of that already-
No, no. Just before theyre flogged. A glass or two of vodka. It makes it easier for them. I used to give them a bottle. Im a humane man, you know.
Well, of course, each country has its own practices-
It doesnt have to be vodka. Whisky would do. Or rum. You used to use rum, I believe, in the British Navy?
I believe so, yes. A while ago.
Its better if theyre drunk. Mind you, some would say theyre drunk all the time.
Yes, our soldiers have much in common.
Discipline. Thats what they need.
They certainly do. And Im sorry you should have suffered because of a lack of it on the part of our soldiers.
Its nothing, its nothing. If it were just myself I would say no more. But, of course, an affront to my country-well, I am bound to resist that. Especially with the Grand Dukes visit so imminent.
Grand Duke? said Owen.
Yes. Only two and a half weeks away. I tick off each day on my calendar. Between you and me, it will be a great relief when its all over. If anything goes wrong, itll be my head on the block. Not literally, of course. Were not a barbarous people.
I must apologize once again, said Paul, beginning to rise from his chair.
Say no more about it. A mere bagatelle. A few drunken muzhiks, thats all it was. Of course, I cannot formally withdraw my complaint.
Oh, dear, said Paul, sitting down again. I was hoping-
If it was me, that would be the end of it. But, of course, when its my country-
No insult was intended, Charge!
Of course not. They were too drunk to know what they were doing. But one was received, and since it was in public, and in view of the forthcoming visit-
But, Charge, precisely because of the forthcoming visit, mightnt we hush things up? We dont want a diplomatic incident, do we?
We dont, said the Charge, but back at home they might.
I must confess this is a blow, Charge. I had hoped for a quiet run-up to the Grand Dukes visit.
Me too, said the Charge.
You dont think you could postpone your complaint? Say, till after the visit was over?
Its already with the Parquet. It wouldnt look good if I was to withdraw it and then put it back in.
True, true. All the same-the fact is, Charge, this stupid incident comes at a most awkward time.
I can see that. Any other time, the British wouldnt pay any attention.
Well, thats exactly it. Go on, Charge, be a decent chap and I will send you round a bottle of Chateau dYquem.
Well- said the Charge, weakening.
Youre the only one whos left now.
There were others? Other countries are involved?
No, no! Its just that the Mingrelian community-
Mingrelian! The Charge shot upright. They were behind it?
No, no! They were on the receiving end, actually-
Assaulted?
Im afraid so.
The Charge leaped up from his chair and threw his arms around Paul.
The Mingrelians? Assaulted? But this is excellent news, excellent! He folded Owen, too, in a deep embrace. My government will be delighted! Oh, thats the way to do it! First we give it them back at home, now you give it them here! Excellent!
He pressed the bell on his desk.
Vodka! he shouted. Vodka, to celebrate! A toast! Undying friendship between our countries! He pressed Paul emotionally to him once again. That is the way allies should behave! I will let my people know at once. The Mingrelians! Thrashed! And thats even before Duke Nicholas gets here- He stopped suddenly.
Why not? he said. Why not? Ill put it to him. Those fine, brave men! A medal! For service to the Tsar! Ill do it! You can rely on me!
And the complaint? You withdraw the complaint?
Complaint? said the Charge. What complaint? I have no complaint. Oh, no! Far from it!
The Grand Dukes visit? said Owen.
I was going to tell you about it. Its just that I didnt want to bother you when your mind was on more important things, like the cafes. The Khedive has invited him. In about three weeks time.
A State Visit?
Semi-State. Duke Nicholas is only the heir. Hes supposed to be on an informal tour of the Mediterranean. Well, actually, hes so unpopular at home that the Tsar wanted to get him out of the country before someone threw a bomb at him.
And the Khedive invited him here?
Thats right. You, of course, will be responsible for security.
Theres going to be a ball, said Zeinab.
Its not been decided yet.
And that, of course, said Zeinab, disregarding him, creates a major problem: what am I going to wear?
Its not been decided yet. The meetings not till tomorrow. Look, I know. Im going to it.
And then there will be the opera as well. Ill need two dresses. The trouble is, there isnt a decent dress in Cairo. Anton says he might be getting some in, but everyone will be fighting for them and, besides, theyll all have seen them. So I thought I would cable Paris direct. Now heres the problem: I dont want to do it through Posts and Telegraphs in the ordinary way, or else people will get to know about it. So-look, are you listening, this is important-can you send a cable for me? Using the diplomatic channel?
No. Absolutely not.
Ill bet the Consul-Generals wife is.
What she does is her own business.
You dont love me, said Zeinab.
Of course I love you. Now-
You dont love me. Not in the way he loves her.
I should bloody hope not, said Owen, an image of the Consul-General and his stately lady coming vividly before his mind.
I know what it is. You dont want me to go. You are ashamed of me. There will be all those lords and ladies, those petty princelings from petty little countries, Wales, I wouldnt be surprised, and you say: what is an Egyptian woman doing among that lot? Well, let me tell you, the daughter of a Pasha, especially the illegitimate daughter of a Pasha, has got more love and life and passion in her little finger than any of them have in their whole body!