him, to strike the guest, he "thanked God" that he had chosen the smaller and lighter fruit.
As for my own mission in Malta, I had really come to buy a British flag!, as Messrs. Cook's manager at Naples had supplied "everything" but just that.
For years I have never travelled without a Union Jack. The idea of undertaking so long and dangerous a journey without it, filled me with strange foreboding. Everywhere on the Front I had my "flag." In a state of coma at the military hospital, the nuns were in great distress because I had expressed a wish to be buried in the flag, which, being under my pillow, was nowhere to be found! Naturally, in Paris I had foreseen my need. But the registered trunk, booked to Rome, had fallen on evil days, and there will be no luck for the "thief," who is probably polishing his boots with my sacred relic!
At first, I seemed unable to escape the lace-makers of Malta; and when, following the direction of a naval officer, I found myself at last in a real "Harrod's Store," my luck, also, was still out. At the Army and Navy, the managing director declared they had "no sale for Union Jacks.". . . Each man possessed his own. He dared not sell me the firm's flag, for an order to hoist it might be given at any moment; and, if he failed to obey, he would very likely be driven out of the island!
As a last resource, I drove to a man said to have "flags for hire." By this time I was too frenzied with disappointment to conceal my eagerness, and they promised me one for £7! Luckily enough, excitement prompted me to unfurl my treasure then and there, to find myself gazing, in mute astonishment, upon the Stars and Stripes! "Isn't it the same thing?" cried the impostor, as I flung myself out of the shop.
But time and tide wait for no woman, and I must silence my superstitions, to join the Pierre Loti once more. Taking a last look on the fortifications of Malta, my thoughts turned to the imprisoned Turks, and my heart was filled with shame.
One day, perhaps, the Turks may hold Malta sacred, for assuredly the cream of her people were
