“It must be.”
“He would come to England himself, but cannot speak English any. Or he cannot write. He is very ignorant. I reply to all favours from England and elsewhere abroad. But he knows lot about tobacco. We produce best.” He plunged his hand into his pocket and produced a leather cigarette case. “Please try cigarette made from tobacco by Pazar and Co.” He extended the case to Josette.
She shook her head. “Tesekkür ederim.”
The Turkish phrase irritated Graham. It seemed to belittle the man’s polite efforts to speak a language foreign to him.
“Ah!” said Mr. Kuvetli, “you speak my language. That is very good. You have been long in Turkey?”
“Dört ay.” She turned to Graham. “I would like one of your cigarettes, please.”
It was a deliberate insult but Mr. Kuvetli only smiled a little more. Graham took one of the cigarettes.
“Thank you very much. It’s very good of you. Will you have a drink, Mr. Kuvetli?”
“Ah, no, thank you. I must go to arrange my cabin before it is dinner.”
“Then later, perhaps.”