But from this letter I take it he is not yet within the zone of safety--so Nahoum Pasha says." He flicked the document upwards with his thumb.
"What is our Government doing to help him ?" she asked, checking her eagerness.
His heart had gradually hardened towards Egypt.

Power had emphasised a certain smallness in him.

Personal considerations informed the policy of the moment.

He was not going to be dragged at the chariot-wheels of the Quaker.

To be passive, when David in Egypt had asked for active interest; to delay, when urgency was important to Claridge Pasha; to speak coldly on Egyptian affairs to his chief, the weak Foreign Secretary, this was the policy he had begun.
So he answered now: "It is the duty of the Egyptian Government to help him--of Prince Kaid, of Nahoum Pasha, who is acting for him in his absence, who governs finance, and therefore the army.