"My propaganda," I told him, "would be inspired by the determination to blazon abroad the marvellous kindness of all your race. Few people have any idea how hospitable and generous the Turks have been."
"Dear Mademoiselle," he replied, "you are right. We have not the sky-scrapers of New York; but we have big hearts. Yet we have given you so little comfort. . . ."
"You have given me your best, and I appreciate it. Hygiene and luxury are not everything; though I have a pet theory of my own as to the holding of hands between East and West in the realm of hygiene: 'First, I wash myself à la West, or, as you call it, in dirty water; then I perfect the ceremony à la East, that is, in running water. On the other hand, for a bath, I like to start with the Turkish and end with the English. You see I am already half-Oriental."
Though rather exceptionally sympathetic and broad-*minded, I gathered from the Director that he, and others, were not quite so enthusiastic about the French, as they, certainly, had been quite recently. Much was expected of France at Lausanne, and they were disappointed in proportion.
The Athenaeum published a strange comment on my last book about Turkey, from a writer who claimed to know the East: "When a race becomes disciplined and energetic, the number of blonde women becomes greater!" I should not myself call many Turkish men I met blonde; but I have a certain impression of noticing a number of surprisingly fair men in Angora; and, maybe, the energy of the Nationalists is thus evidenced in the lighter colouring of their hair. If there be even a grain of truth in the theory, it seems a pity that women of all nations should resort to peroxide and henna, when a little hard work would have a better, and more lasting, effect.
To-day, one feels the Grand National Assembly has achieved success, and is permanently established.
