"What did they want?" said the Governor.
I told him.
"It is very unpatriotic of them," he observed. "The cunning little dogs, to ask you to intercede on their behalf! But they shall all go with the next battalion!"
I was evidently destined to have a succession of visitors on that afternoon, for no sooner had the Caimacan gone than another official arrived. He at once commenced a conversation by saying that he had been employed in collecting the redif soldiery from the different villages in the neighbourhood, and had also started a subscription amongst the wealthier inhabitants to provide the men with warm shirts.
"You have acted very kindly, and doubtless with the best motives," I remarked. "Your reward will be in heaven."
"Yes," said the man, who did not seem quite to relish the idea of his reward being so indefinitely postponed; "but the Effendi is going to Sivas?"
"Yes."
"He will see the Pacha there."
"Very likely."
"Then will he tell the Pacha of my great merits, and ask him to give me some higher employment?"