Well, I said, I dont know that youre not right!
The rows Ive known in hospital and starting often from nothing more than a dispute about a pot of tea.
Yes, one tends to get petty in close communities, said Major Pennyman.
All the same I feel there must be something more to it in this case.
Leidner is such a gentle, unassuming man, with really a remarkable amount of tact.
Hes always managed to keep his expedition happy and on good terms with each other.
And yet I did notice that feeling of tension the other day.
Mrs Kelsey laughed. And you dont see the explanation?
Why, it leaps to the eye!
What do you mean?
Mrs Leidner, of course.
Oh come, Mary, said her husband, shes a charming woman not at all the quarrelsome kind.
I didnt say she was quarrelsome.
She causes quarrels!
In what way?
And why should she?
Why?
Why?
Because shes bored.
Shes not an archaeologist, only the wife of one.
Shes bored shut away from any excitements and so she provides her own drama.
She amuses herself by setting other people by the ears.
Mary, you dont know in the least.
Youre merely imagining.
Of course Im imagining!
But youll find Im right.
Lovely Louise doesnt look like the Mona Lisa for nothing!
She maynt mean any harm, but she likes to see what will happen.
Shes devoted to Leidner.
Oh!
I dare say, Im not suggesting vulgar intrigues.
But shes an allumeuse, that woman.
Women are so sweet to each other, said Major Kelsey.
I know.
Cat, cat, cat, thats what you men say.
But were usually right about our own sex.
All the same, said Major Pennyman thoughtfully, assuming all Mrs Kelseys uncharitable surmises to be true, I dont think it would quite account for that curious sense of tension rather like the feeling there is before a thunderstorm.
I had the impression very strongly that the storm might break any minute.
Now dont frighten nurse, said Mrs Kelsey.
Shes going there in three days time and youll put her right off.
Oh, you wont frighten me, I said, laughing.
All the same I thought a good deal about what had been said.
Dr Leidners curious use of the word safer recurred to me.
Was it his wifes secret fear, unacknowledged or expressed perhaps, that was reacting on the rest of the party?
Or was it the actual tension (or perhaps the unknown cause of it) that was reacting on her nerves?
I looked up the word allumeuse that Mrs Kelsey had used in a dictionary, but couldnt get any sense out of it.
Well, I thought to myself, I must wait and see.
Chapter 4.
I Arrive in Hassanieh
Three days later I left Baghdad.