'But there was the glory first. We heard of it here, even here--I and Binat; and thou hast used the head of Yellow 'Tina--she is still alive--so often and so well that 'Tina laughed when the papers arrived by the mail-boats. It was always something that we here could recognise in the paintings. And then there was always the glory and the money for thee.'
'I am not poor--I shall pay you well.'
'Not to me. Thou hast paid for everything.' Under her breath, 'Mon Dieu, to be blind and so young! What horror!'
**** could not see her face with the pity on it, or his own with the discoloured hair at the temples. He did not feel the need of pity; he was too anxious to get to the front once more, and explained his desire.
'And where? The Canal is full of the English ships. Sometimes they fire as they used to do when the war was here--ten years ago. Beyond Cairo there is fighting, but how canst thou go there without a correspondent's passport? And in the desert there is always fighting, but that is impossible also,' said she.
'I must go to Suakin.' He knew, thanks to Alf's readings, that Torpenhow was at work with the column that was protecting the construction of the Suakin-Berber line. P. and O. steamers do not touch at that port, and, besides, Madame Binat knew everybody whose help or advice was worth anything. They were not respectable folk, but they could cause things to be accomplished, which is much more important when there is work toward.
'But at Suakin they are always fighting. That desert breeds men always--and always more men. And they are so bold! Why to Suakin?'
'My friend is there.
'Thy friend! Chtt! Thy friend is death, then.'
Madame Binat dropped a fat arm on the table-top, filled ****'s glass anew, and looked at him closely under the stars. There was no need that he should bow his head in assent and say--'No. He is a man, but--if it should arrive . . . blamest thou?'
'I blame?' she laughed shrilly. 'Who am I that I should blame any one--except those who try to cheat me over their consommations. But it is very terrible.'
'I must go to Suakin. Think for me. A great deal has changed within the year, and the men I knew are not here. The Egyptian lighthouse steamer goes down the Canal to Suakin--and the post-boats-- But even then----'
'Do not think any longer. I know, and it is for me to think. Thou shalt go--thou shalt go and see thy friend. Be wise. Sit here until the house is a little quiet--I must attend to my guests--and afterwards go to bed. Thou shalt go, in truth, thou shalt go.'
'To-morrow?'
'As soon as may be.' She was talking as though he were a child.
He sat at the table listening to the voices in the harbour and the streets, and wondering how soon the end would come, till Madame Binat carried him off to bed and ordered him to sleep. The house shouted and sang and danced and revelled, Madame Binat moving through it with one eye on the liquor payments and the girls and the other on ****'s interests. To this latter end she smiled upon scowling and furtive Turkish officers of fellaheen regiments, and more than kind to camel agents of no nationality whatever.
In the early morning, being then appropriately dressed in a flaming red silk ball-dress, with a front of tarnished gold embroidery and a necklace of plate-glass diamonds, she made chocolate and carried it in to ****.
'It is only I, and I am of discreet age, eh? Drink and eat the roll too. Thus in France mothers bring their sons, when those behave wisely, the morning chocolate.' She sat down on the side of the bed whispering:--'It is all arranged. Thou wilt go by the lighthouse boat. That is a bribe of ten pounds English. The captain is never paid by the Government. The boat comes to Suakin in four days. There will go with thee George, a Greek muleteer. Another bribe of ten pounds. I will pay; they must not know of thy money. George will go with thee as far as he goes with his mules. Then he comes back to me, for his well-beloved is here, and if I do not receive a telegram from Suakin saying that thou art well, the girl answers for George.'
'Thank you.' He reached out sleepily for the cup. 'You are much too kind, Madame.'
'If there were anything that I might do I would say, stay here and be wise; but I do not think that would be best for thee.' She looked at her liquor-stained dress with a sad smile. 'Nay, thou shalt go, in truth, thou shalt go. It is best so. My boy, it is best so.'
She stooped and kissed **** between the eyes. 'That is for good-morning,' she said, going away. 'When thou art dressed we will speak to George and make everything ready. But first we must open the little trunk. Give me the keys.'
'The amount of kissing lately has been simply scandalous. I shall expect Torp to kiss me next. He is more likely to swear at me for getting in his way, though. Well, it won't last long.--Ohe, Madame, help me to my toilette of the guillotine! There will be no chance of dressing properly out yonder.'
He was rummaging among his new campaign-kit, and rowelling his hands with the spurs. There are two says of wearing well-oiled ankle-jacks, spotless blue bands, khaki coat and breeches, and a perfectly pipeclayed helmet. The right way is the way of the untired man, master of himself, setting out upon an expedition, well pleased.
'Everything must be very correct,' **** explained. 'It will become dirty afterwards, but now it is good to feel well dressed. Is everything as it should be?'
He patted the revolver neatly hidden under the fulness of the blouse on the right hip and fingered his collar.
'I can do no more,' Madame said, between laughing and crying. 'Look at thyself--but I forgot.'
'I am very content.' He stroked the creaseless spirals of his leggings.
'Now let us go and see the captain and George and the lighthouse boat.
Be quick, Madame.'
'But thou canst not be seen by the harbour walking with me in the daylight. Figure to yourself if some English ladies----'
'There are no English ladies; and if there are, I have forgotten them.
Take me there.'
