But he didnt enlarge on the theme, or say any more.
What I cant make out is what its all about, said Mr Coleman in an aggrieved voice.
Emmott shrugged his shoulders but didnt answer.
I had a rather enlightening conversation with Miss Johnson.
I liked her very much. She was capable, practical and intelligent.
She had, it was quite obvious, a distinct hero worship for Dr Leidner.
On this occasion she told me the story of his life since his young days.
She knew every site he had dug, and the results of the dig.
I would almost dare swear she could quote from every lecture he had ever delivered.
She considered him, she told me, quite the finest field archaeologist living.
And hes so simple.
So completely unworldly. He doesnt know the meaning of the word conceit.
Only a really great man could be so simple.
Thats true enough, I said.
Big people dont need to throw their weight about.
And hes so light-hearted too, I cant tell you what fun we used to have he and Richard Carey and I the first years we were out here.
We were such a happy party.
Richard Carey worked with him in Palestine, of course.
Theirs is a friendship of ten years or so. Oh, well, Ive known him for seven.
What a handsome man Mr Carey is, I said.
Yes I suppose he is. She said it rather curtly.
But hes just a little bit quiet, dont you think?
He usednt to be like that, said Miss Johnson quickly.
Its only since She stopped abruptly.
Only since? I prompted.
Oh, well. Miss Johnson gave a characteristic motion of her shoulders.
A good many things are changed nowadays.
I didnt answer. I hoped she would go on and she did prefacing her remarks with a little laugh as though to detract from their importance.
Im afraid Im rather a conservative old fogy. I sometimes think that if an archaeologists wife isnt really interested, it would be wiser for her not to accompany the expedition.
It often leads to friction.
Mrs Mercado I suggested.
Oh, her! Miss Johnson brushed the suggestion aside.
I was really thinking of Mrs Leidner.
Shes a very charming woman and one can quite understand why Dr Leidner fell for her to use a slang term.
But I cant help feeling shes out of place here.
She it unsettles things.
So Miss Johnson agreed with Mrs Kelsey that it was Mrs Leidner who was responsible for the strained atmosphere.
But then where did Mrs Leidners own nervous fears come in?
It unsettles him, said Miss Johnson earnestly.
Of course Im well, Im like a faithful but jealous old dog.
I dont like to see him so worn out and worried.
His whole mind ought to be on the work not taken up with his wife and her silly fears!
If shes nervous of coming to out-of-the-way places, she ought to have stayed in America.
Ive no patience with people who come to a place and then do nothing but grouse about it!
And then, a little fearful of having said more than she meant to say, she went on: Of course I admire her very much.
Shes a lovely woman and shes got great charm of manner when she chooses.
And there the subject dropped.
I thought to myself that it was always the same way wherever women are cooped up together, theres bound to be jealousy.
Miss Johnson clearly didnt like her chiefs wife (that was perhaps natural) and unless I was much mistaken Mrs Mercado fairly hated her.
Another person who didnt like Mrs Leidner was Sheila Reilly.