Page:Englishwomaninan00elli.pdf/124

 are not published you will know the reason. The editor has his opinions, and I refuse to change mine."

"What about the British propaganda?"

"There is no British propaganda."

The colonel laughed, loud and long. "No country," he said, "has spent so much on 'intelligence' as Great Britain. Gold has been poured from her coffers. That is why she has been so badly served."

"I entirely agree. We have squandered millions in the Near East—in Palestine, Mesopotamia, and everywhere else. But towards women no Government has been so mean. It is our own fault; 'cheap labour' is considered patriotic; and, after all, the Government could not find the money to squander unless someone was willing to take their pittance."

"My dear young lady, the British are rolling in money."

"M. Briand told the same tale till I cornered him one day, and then he said: 'Your country is so rich that she can even afford to give 'golden' hair to her women!'"

"Well," he replied, "I can but admire you—to have undertaken such a journey, at such a time, without the backing of your Government or the Press—and all for no purpose!"

"You are frank," I said with a smile. "Do you think I could have accomplished more with the financial backing that your women can always command from your Government?"

"I cannot understand your Government."

"Neither can I That's why I am here Do you remember the Bible story of a city offered salvation if but one righteous and upright man could be found within her gates? So, God willing, may I, as one Englishwoman and a friend, preserve for my country some last shred of respect and faith in our honour among the Moslems of Turkey and India, Egypt, Persia, and Palestine."

Courtesy, I suppose, kept him silent, and we were soon busy with preparations for dinner. He produced a towel for serviette, a piece of newspaper for table