Page:Englishwomaninan00elli.pdf/286

 hesitation, "Lloyd George." Our late Premier has now become super-bogeyman of the Near East for Moslems and Christians alike.

All through the night strains break on my ears of the Anatolian folk-songs; the expression of that strangely resigned happiness of a long-suffering people which we of the West must half-envy and, at the same time, half-despise. Average human nature is only too apt to neglect those who never complain; and if others appeal for them, to say—as even America has said—"It is too big a problem for us to tackle."

With so much goodwill around me, the night passed far more quickly than even my natural optimism could have foretold. And before stepping into the yaili that will carry us on to Broussa, I try to express to the kindly peasants a little of the gratitude and admiration in my heart.

"We do not lack anything," they assure me. "All we want is to save our Fatherland. It would be wrong of us to use up the wood and material for building houses that may be required in the war."

Then, for farewell, the old Bible-greeting of "God be with you." "And bring us peace," is all I can find voice to reply.